Will County Board Approves Controversial 0% Tax Levy After Long Debate

The Will County Board approved a controversial property tax levy with a 0% increase following a heated three-hour debate on March 14, 2024. The decision, which allows for the collection of taxes from new construction but not from existing properties, passed with a narrow margin of 12-10. The measure was largely supported by Republican board members, who argued it would help keep property taxes manageable for residents.

The approved corporate fund levy replaces a proposal from County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant, who sought a 2% increase alongside revenue from new construction. Following the vote, Bertino-Tarrant indicated that she was considering exercising her veto power, stating, “You will hear from me as to whether what we did today is appropriate or not.” She later emphasized the need to ensure that the levy adjustment does not disrupt essential county operations.

The new levy structure is projected to generate approximately $2.8 million less in property tax revenue compared to Bertino-Tarrant’s proposal. This discrepancy raises concerns about an unbalanced budget, although specific figures regarding the shortfall remained unclear during the lengthy discussions. In response to the anticipated budget gap, Republicans suggested utilizing reserve funds, which currently total $94.8 million, or implementing budget cuts.

David Oxley, a Republican member from Lockport, advocated for using reserve funds to stabilize the budget, stating, “Take some money out of reserves and move on.” Another Republican, Daniel Butler of Frankfort, remarked on the substantial nature of the county reserves, calling them “one big fund – huge in fact.”

Despite this, Republican Leader Jim Richmond expressed confidence that budget reductions could be made without significant difficulty under the 0% levy. He asserted, “There have to be some areas where you can do some trimming.” The corporate fund budget is currently set at $282 million, while the total county budget amounts to $791 million, which includes $509 million in special revenue funds.

The debate’s focus extended beyond financial implications, with members reflecting on past board decisions regarding property tax levies. Republicans noted that previous boards had approved lower levies, shifting the responsibility of budget cuts onto the county executive. Conversely, Bertino-Tarrant contended that past boards had proactively proposed budget cuts to align with lower levies.

Public input during the meeting revealed a strong desire among residents for a 0% levy to alleviate financial burdens. Several speakers, including Dan Menegon from Joliet, expressed concerns about rising taxes, stating, “I heard from young people, and I heard from old people who can’t take it anymore. Their pockets are only so deep.” However, others, like neighborhood leader Amy Sanchez, cautioned against the potential negative impact on county services, urging the board to consider existing commitments.

According to county officials, the county board’s portion of the individual property tax bill constitutes roughly 6%. Former Republican candidate Darrell Boisdorf criticized the high property tax rates, stating, “Any increase, even 1%, will be deeply felt.” Despite the 0% increase, the corporate levy and other county levies are still expected to yield approximately $2.2 million in new revenue from taxes on new construction.

The only Democrat to support the 0% levy was Desiree Ortiz from Romeoville. While she did not speak during the meeting, she later remarked, “This is the right thing to do,” emphasizing the importance of being responsible stewards of public funds. Ortiz highlighted that residents frequently express concerns about high taxes, reinforcing the board’s decision to prioritize property tax stability.

As the Will County Board navigates these fiscal challenges, the discussions surrounding the tax levy reflect broader concerns about balancing budgetary needs with the financial realities faced by residents. The potential for a veto from the county executive adds an additional layer of complexity to the ongoing deliberations.