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Comparing What Different Types of Tax Districts Did To Us This Year — 47 Comments

  1. “Cut ten”!

    Cut $ 83,000,000!

    As ‘unions’ have ALREADY negotiated hefty (compared to private sector) pay increases and SEIU ia working on a strike, there is only way to “cut ten” – Cut staff by 25 %!

    Start with the Conservation District Police force, ESL teachers and school social workers.

    We must eliminate the Constitutional public sector pension guarantee now!!

  2. In 2008 the EAV for the entire county was $10,491,258,538
    .
    In 2016 the EAV for the entire county was $7,536,449,930

    We, the taxpayers, have LOST over 28 % in property value!

    Wonder why many school enrollments are down?

    Wonder why our population is shrinking?

    The people who could afford to leave or those willing to abandon their homes, have left.

    Businesses have left and more are leaving.

    The following shows the percentage increase in property taxes since 2008:

    Community Colleges 10.98%
    McHenry County 7.93%
    McHenry Conservation Dist. 7.38%
    Fire Districts 13.41%
    Library Boards 13.00%
    Municipalities 3.40%
    Park Districts 4.03%
    School Districts 15.09%
    Township Town -0.80%
    Township Road Districts 4.37%

    There are some who advocate more State funding for education with a promise for lower property taxes – tell me, how that encourages people to stay?

    Ever penny is still a tax penny!

  3. Was one of the cemetery boards absorbed by another unit of government?

    Was the Fox Lake Fire District absorbed by Fox Lake Village?

  4. In setting the Levy for the Nunda Township Cemetery the board voted to reduce the levy by $10,000.

    The Nunda Cemetery had almost 4 years worth of reserves in the bank at the time.

    I advocated for zeroing it out for a year but the rest of the board felt skittish about that idea.

  5. The Fox Lake Fire Protection District still exists.

    The successful March 15, 2016 referendum eliminated the Village of Fox Lake outsourcing for fire protection services, which had begun in 2007.

    Before the referendum, the Village of Fox Lake outsourced its fire protection services to the Fox Lake Fire Protection District (the Village didn’t have any fire protection personnel).

    After the referendum, the Fox Lake Fire Protection District becomes a property taxing district (another unit of government) on incorporated village property tax bills.

    The referendum will likely result in hiked property taxes for fire protection services in the short term, compared to the then current outsourcing contract.

    The longer term impact is more difficult to determine, as when the then current outsourcing contract expired, the fire protection district would have asked for a fee hike.

    In outsourcing, the fire protection district faced competition of various sorts.

    Now that the fire protection district is a new unit of government on incorporated Fox Lake property tax bills, it becomes a government monopoly with no competition.

    +++++++++

    Here is what was listed on the Lake Count Clerk website for the referendum:

    “Village of Fox Lake

    Public Question to Add Territory to the Fox Lake Fire Protection District

    Public question on joining the Fox Lake Fire Protection District and assuming a proportionate share of bonded indebtedness, if any.

    YES (For joining the Fox Lake Fire Protection District) – 1,477 votes – 59.32%

    NO (Against joining the Fox Lake Fire Protection District) – 1,013 votes – 40.68%

    2,490 total votes.

    The YES vote prevailed in 8 of the 10 precincts.

    The NO vote prevailed in 1 precinct.

    There was a TIE vote in 1 precinct.

    +++++++++

    The Fox Lake Fire Protection District covers a much larger area than just Fox Lake, including Ingleside.

    +++++++++

    Fire Protection Districts are a specific unit of government in Illinois.

    Fire Departments are not property taxing districts, rather, fall within the Village / City / Town unit of government.

    Thus there is a distinction between Fire Protection Districts, and Fire Departments, in Illinois government.

    +++++++++

    The Fox Lake Fire Protection District created a Downstate Fire Pension fund in 2010.

    +++++++++

    Smoke alarm recommendations:

    – Replace unit every 10 years

    – If there is replaceable battery, replace it annually

    – One unit on every level in the building

    – One unit in every bedroom.

    – Don’t put near kitchen appliances, fireplace, ceiling fan, bathroom, heating appliances, or windows.

    ++++++++

    Install carbon monoxide detector outside bedrooms, within 15 feet of the bedroom.

  6. The figures listed in the article are extensions.

    Extensions are often less than the levy.

    For whatever reason, Jack Franks during his campaign for County Board Chair, talked about cutting the levy, not extensions.

    ++++++++++

    PTELL (Property Tax Extension Limitation Law) limits the extension hike to, the lesser of, inflation or 5%; excluding bond referendums and new property growth.

    That’s known as the property tax cap.

    As is so often the case in Illinois government, there are exceptions to the rule, that being, there are exceptions to the cap (bond referendums, new growth).

  7. Where’s the coverage on Hultgren’s townhall where he said he would not vote for Trumpcare, or support Obamacare or Medicare for all AND give zero solutions for how to represent his district. Hultgren is out of touch with the voters.

    To quote Angel – 2018 are you here yet?

  8. Instead of playing big shot with Boeing sales and DOJ inquiries, your congressional gadfly Roskom, should be working to amend the Bankruptcy Codes.

    Only way to circumvent that goofy Illinois Supreme Court and allow that Springfield circus to dice up those golden Public Sector pensions.

  9. Property Tax District – 2016 – 2015 – $ change – % increase or decrease

    School Districts – $558,372,099 – $555,400,658 – $2,971,441 – 0.5%

    County – $79,424,611 – $76,289,016 – $3,125,595 – 4.1%

    Cities, Villages & Towns – $68,878,510 – $69,033,381 – ($154,871) – (0.2%)

    Fire Protection Districts – $44,580,143 – $42,984,879 – $1,595,264 – 3.7%

    Townships – $25,151,660 – $26,289,626 – ($1,137,966) – (4.3%)

    Conservancy Districts – $19,507,875 – $19,572,805 – ($64,930) – (0.3%)

    Library Districts – $17,261,084 – $16,949,241 – $311,843 – 1.8%

    Park Districts – $15,194,971 – $15,825,100 – ($630,129) – (4.0%)

    Sanitary Districts – $689,538 – $684,538 – $4,648 – 0.7%

    Miscellaneous Districts – $638,511 – $625,175 – $13,336 – 2.1%

    Cemetery Districts – $25,915 – $45,314 – ($9,399) – (20.7%)

    Total – $829,734,565 – $823,699,732 – $6,034,833 – 0.7%

    source: McHenry County Clerk tax website document labeled “County Summary” which is the PTAX – 250 “County Summary Abstract of Valuations, Levies, Tax Rates, and Tax Extensions” form form the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR).

    http://www.co.mchenry.il.us/county-government/departments-a-i/county-clerk/taxes

    note 1: numbers in paranthesis are negative.

    note 2: school districts includes McHenry County College.

    note 3: conservancy districts is the Conservation District, even though it is technically part of the County.

    note 4 – sorted by 2016 Extensions in dollars, from greatest to least.

    note 5 – The breakdown of adjustments, from the levy to the extension, for each property taxing district’s funds, for the prior year, is listed on the “Prior Year Adjustment” report available at the above URL.

    note 6 – The extension for each property taxing district’s funds for the current year is listed on the “Tax Computation Report” which is available at the above URL.

  10. NWH has a story on the County vote to cut 10%, yet nothing hear?

    No praise for our ram rod Andrew?

    No mention of Donna being a stone in the road to reducing taxation?

  11. How about a report from the county of how not having fully funded pensions results in hiked taxpayer costs to fund the pensions, as the investment return on the underfunded amount (amount not in the pension fund but should be) is zero….so the taxpayer ultimately makes up the lost investment returns with extra contributions….thus underfunded pensions results in more expensive pensions from a taxpayer perspective, assuming the pensions are to be paid in full.

    And a report from the county about any promised retiree healthcare.

    And a report from the county on the estimated costs for the County portion of the Route 23 & I-90 interchange.

    And a report from the county on the estimated costs for all the other road construction projects projected in the next 5 years, including Randall Road.

    And a report from the county on the current bond debt service schedule (principal, interest, and total itemized annually).

    And a report from the county on the expiration date of each collective bargaining agreement, and what cost cutting measures Jack Franks recommends for his labor allies.

    And Jack Franks can lead by example by cutting his two patronage hires and the outside counsel parliamentarian that contributed to his political campaign.

    And since Jack Franks is interested in cutting costs, how about lobbying with Bruce Rauner to repeal local prevailing wage laws, to get more competitive labor on projects.

    Just for starters.

  12. Is Cal going to mention how five board members are not interested in a mandate to decreases taxes.

  13. I didn’t listen to the meeting.

    Please share their identities with readers, if you did.

  14. Jack Franks promoted the entire campaign for County Board Chair that he would release on his first day in office his plan to cut property taxes 10% in every property taxing district in the county.

    He failed to do that.

    Now, in his fourth month as County Board Chair, Jack Franks finally releases his “plan”:

    – form an ad hoc committee named the “Committee on Tax Reduction” on which he is a member (he can only be a member on ad hoc committees, not standing committees) (is he a voting member of the ad hoc committee?)

    – half of the county board members will be on the committee, plus a few employees from the County (picked by Franks?)

    +++++++++

    Jack Franks has released ZERO details of what cuts he recommends.

    Jack Franks, the man with no plan.

    Jack Franks has hired patronage employees and outside counsel for his parliamentarian, costs which didn’t exist before he showed up…..none of which he revealed while running for county board chair.

    Sneaky maneuvers not done with transparency to the entire board and public.

  15. Eliminating ESL teachers would be a good start as Conservative suggested.
    Tick tock blah blah blah

  16. Jack Franks never had a PLAN! As is playing out! If he did there would be no reason to form a AD HOC Committee. He could swoop in and say here is my plan etc.. Now he is leaving it up to the County Board to find the solutions to his cut 10%. However, Andrew Gasser had the resolution to bring it forward! Now Jack Franks is riding the coat tails of Andrew Gasser! Political two step! The only thing that Jack Franks has done is absolutely spout of political crap! He has done absolutely NOTHING since getting into office except cost taxpayers money! Now look at that AD HOC Committee! What a joke! If he really wanted to find 10% cut he would put on the people that can do it. But yet again he is catering to his supporters on the board and that is all! Looks like Springfield! Oh and Jack Franks is already out working on trying to find people to run against those board members he doesn’t like for the next Republican Primary.

  17. Chuck Wheeler said if there is wiggle room, the board will not pass the cuts. If Chuck votes against cuts, he is the wiggler!!

    Donna Kurtz also waffled in passing a mandate. Is she for cuts or for bigger government?

    Mike Skala was reticent to set a diffinitive benchmark – is he going to vote for higher taxes?

    Larry Smith said the board would not take cuts seriously without a mandate. Is he truly serious about cuts?

    Yvonne Barnes is vocal about the wanting the cuts. Will she support decreasing our burdensome tax liabilities?

  18. What I really love is that the peanut gallery expects a line item list of every cut Franks wants to make and expected it on day zero.

    The voracity of this sentiment I’m sure was mirrored when the GOP took over Congress with the Healthcare debate.

    Where was Paul Ryans’ plan on day one?!

  19. The reality is that proposals have to funnel through the board and some readers are so dilluted to think that the board was going to simply accept the proposal from Franks and pass through.

    Those commenters just want to see Franks fail.

    You know what though, you are no different than the liberals who want Trump to fail.

    Why do you want your President or Board Chairman to fail? That doesn’t bode well for anyone. Sure, it satisfies your political ideology – but at what cost.

    I will begin a series on this blog. It will be a daily series reminding voters and they very narrow subset of people on this blog that EVERYONE on the board has supported cutting taxes.

    We have 60 days to see the results of this commitment.

    I hope that we will see results and not hand wringing

  20. Home Page of the Jack Franks website Cut10.org during his campaign for the inaugural voter elected County Board Chair election held on November 8, 2016:

    “Enough is enough.

    I’m running for McHenry County Board Chairman to cut property taxes levy by 10% across the board.

    This means a 10% property tax levy reduction from EVERY government body in our County.

    We can finally give relief to local property taxpayers if we eliminate government waste and fraud and more efficiently manage tax dollars.

    Join me in sending a message to McHenry County leaders in support of this 10% cut.

    And know that I will introduce this plan on my first day as your new McHenry County Board Chairman.

    – Jack Franks”

    +++++++++++++++++

    Jack Franks failed to deliver the plan on his first day as McHenry County Board Chairman, which was December 5, 2016.

    Jack Franks hired two people to work for him, jobs that were not posted, jobs that had not previously existed, people that had previously worked for him as state employees, one of which had worked in Michael Madigan’s House Democrat office as a Program Specialist and was released to work on Democrat political campaigns, a Madigoon.

    The Madigoon is now a County “Communications Specialist.”

    Previous County Board Chairs did not need a “Communications Specialist.”

    But Jack Franks needs a “Communications Specialist.”

    Why?

    Where was the zero based budgeting and cost justification for the “Communications Specialist.”

    Jack Franks said he would implement zero based budgeting.

    Jack Franks said he would be transparent.

    But when it came to the hiring of the “Communications Specialist” where was the transparency?

    Those hires were done before Jack Franks introduced his plan to cut property taxes in every property taxing district in the county by 10%.

    That is an indication of Jack Franks’ priorities.

    Hiring patronage workers comes first (jobs that didn’t previously exist and were not posted comes first).

    The Cut 10 plan has yet to be released….or if it has, where is it?…is the “plan” to create an ad hoc committee and pass a county board resolution to reduce the levy by 10%?

    Will it ever be released?

    Was there ever a plan?

    What did Jack Franks advocate in the last month or so?

    Creating yet another ad hoc committee.

    Ad hoc committees provides Jack Franks more control over the county political process.

    The committee is named the “Committee on Tax Reduction.”

    Jack Franks named himself a member of the committee.

    How was it decided who would sit on the committee?

    Did Jack Franks decide who would sit on the committee?

    Was their a vote to decide who would sit on the committee?

    Will Jack Franks be a voting member of the committee?

    Only about 1/2 of the county board members are members of the committee.

    A few employees of the county are on the committee.

    Where is the list of ad hoc committees on the County Board website, along with its members?

    Nowhere to be found.

    Why not?

    Where is the transparency?

    http://www.co.mchenry.il.us/county-government/departments-a-i/county-board/county-board-committees

  21. A few employees of the county are not on the committee.

    The committee will work with county staff.

  22. McHenry County Board

    Regular Meeting

    April 18, 2017 at 8PM

    “RESOLUTION

    Resolution Setting a Goal to Reduce the 2017 McHenry County Fiscal Year Property Tax Levy by 10 Percent

    WHEREAS, high property taxes in McHenry County have a negative impact on the local economy and harm residential property owners and businesses; and

    WHEREAS, McHenry County’s population has stagnated since 2010; and

    WHEREAS, the McHenry County Board authorized a property tax levy totaling $79,344,078 on November 15, 2016; and

    WHEREAS, the McHenry County Government Fiscal Year begins on December 1, 2017; and

    NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the goal of the McHenry County Board is to reduce the aggregate total
    of all property taxes levied by the County of McHenry, Illinois during Fiscal Year 2018 by ten (10)
    percent, or $7,934,407, from $79,344,078 in Fiscal Year 2017 to less than $71,409,671 in Fiscal Year 2018
    by abating any levy decrease back to the taxpayers; and

    BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that an ad-hoc Committee on Tax Reduction shall be created, composed of:

    the County Board Chairman, who shall serve as the committee Chairman;

    the Chairperson from each standing committee, with the Chairman of the Finance and Audit Committee serving as the Vice Chairman;

    and Board Members Christensen, Kearns, and Wilbeck; and

    BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Committee on Tax Reduction shall work with County staff to develop proposed reductions as part of the Budget Policy and budget process allowing department heads adequate time to demonstrate how budget cuts would impact services or current functions; and

    BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the County Administrator shall produce a final budget based on the Committee on Tax Reduction’s recommendations that were approved by the full County Board; and

    BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the fiscal year 2018 budget shall be presented to the full County Board for 30-day review no later than Tuesday, October 17, 2017.

    DATED at Woodstock, Illinois, this 18th day of April, A.D., 2017.

    Jack D Franks, Chairman
    McHenry County Board

    ATTEST:

    Mary E. McClellan, County Clerk

    5960 / KSFetter Page 1

    ————————————-

    McHenry County Board

    County Board Room

    Woodstock, IL 60098

    Meeting: 04/18/17 07:00 PM

    Department: County Administration

    Category: Budget

    Prepared by: Kathy Fetterman

    Scheduled

    Resolution

    DOC ID: 5960 A

    TO: McHenry County Board

    FROM: Peter Austin

    DATE: April 18, 2017

    SUBJECT: Resolution Setting a Goal to Reduce the 2017 McHenry County Fiscal Year Property Tax Levy by 10 Percent

    Board / Committee Action Requested: [left blank]

    Background and Discussion: [left blank]

    Impact on Human Resources: [left blank]

    Impact on Budget (Revenue; Expenses, Fringe Benefits): [left blank]

    Impact on Capital Expenditures: [left blank]

    Impact on Physical Space: [left blank]

    Impact on Other County Departments or Outside Agencies: [left blank]

    Conformity to Board Ordinances, Policies and Strategic Plan: [left blank]

    HISTORY: 04/06/17 – Finance & Audit – RECOMMENDED”

    https://mchenrycountyil.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=30&ID=58526&MeetignID=4236

  23. Another note about the “Communications Specialist” hired by Jack Franks.

    1/2 of the “Communications Specialist’s” job duties is to be with the County Transportation Department.

    There is no indication anyone from the County Transportation Department was involved or consulted in the hire.

  24. Mark,
    Are you directly trying to burry opposition opinion or is it just unintentional/incidental from you plagiarizing other sources and repeatedly posting?

  25. Moderate on 04/20/2017 at 1:36 pm said:
    Chuck Wheeler said if there is wiggle room, the board will not pass the cuts. If Chuck votes against cuts, he is the wiggler!!

    Donna Kurtz also waffled in passing a mandate. Is she for cuts or for bigger government?

    Mike Skala was reticent to set a diffinitive benchmark – is he going to vote for higher taxes?

    Larry Smith said the board would not take cuts seriously without a mandate. Is he truly serious about cuts?

    Yvonne Barnes is vocal about the wanting the cuts. Will she support decreasing our burdensome tax liabilities?

    Moderate on 04/20/2017 at 1:38 pm said:
    What I really love is that the peanut gallery expects a line item list of every cut Franks wants to make and expected it on day zero.

    The voracity of this sentiment I’m sure was mirrored when the GOP took over Congress with the Healthcare debate.

    Where was Paul Ryans’ plan on day one?!

    Moderate on 04/20/2017 at 2:01 pm said:
    The reality is that proposals have to funnel through the board and some readers are so dilluted to think that the board was going to simply accept the proposal from Franks and pass through.

    Those commenters just want to see Franks fail.

    You know what though, you are no different than the liberals who want Trump to fail.

    Why do you want your President or Board Chairman to fail? That doesn’t bode well for anyone. Sure, it satisfies your political ideology – but at what cost.

    I will begin a series on this blog. It will be a daily series reminding voters and they very narrow subset of people on this blog that EVERYONE on the board has supported cutting taxes.

    We have 60 days to see the results of this commitment.

    I hope that we will see results and not hand wringing

  26. Apparently something in those comments don’t suit Moderate’s agenda.

    Be specific about the plagiarizing allegation.

  27. The miracle of copying and pasting makes some people feel very knowledgeable. The progressive wave gets closer and closer. In the meantime, tic, tock, tic, tock…

  28. There is nothing in the County Board Resolution “Setting a Goal to Reduce the 2017 McHenry County Fiscal Year Property Tax Levy by 10 Percent,” which passed April 18, 2017, that mentions 60 days.

    Where is the the June 30, 2017 deadline documented….only in the April 18, 2017 Regular Board Meeting Audio?….and a newspaper article or two?….some future board or committee meeting minutes?

    ++++++++++++

    Interesting that Jack Franks took the oath of office as County Board Chair on December 5, 2016.

    Then he waits until April 18, 2017 to recommend a resolution be past to Cut 10.

    Then there is some sort of 60 day deadline from April 18, 2017 to of June 30, 2017.

    How is that for pressure.

  29. Chuck Wheeler said if there is wiggle room, the administration will wiggle out of finding cuts.

  30. Mark says there is nothing holding the county board accountable for the resolution they all voters for to cut 10% of taxes….

    Let that soak in local GOP

    Mark and Cal don’t want you to vote to cut taxes by ten percent

    Mark and Cal will put politics ahead of people

    Let that soak in

  31. Northwest Herald

    Resolution to Cut McHenry County Board Levy by 10 Percent Makes Progress

    by Kevin Craver

    April 11, 2017

    “”Committee member Larry Smith, R-Harvard, said county government departments may not take the cuts seriously without a mandatory absolute.

    “Without a hard number … department by department is going to come to us and say, ‘This is what we can do or we’re going to be devastated,’ and we’re not going to get any type of minimum,” Smith said.

    Committee member Chuck Wheeler, R-McHenry, agree.

    “If you give them wiggle room, they’re gonna wiggle,” Wheeler said.””

    http://www.nwherald.com/2017/04/10/resolution-to-cut-mchenry-county-board-levy-by-10-percent-makes-progress/a9t3yxa

  32. Maybe Moderate will re-write Moderate’s allegation so it can actually be understood, and then substantiate the allegation.

    Moderate doesn’t like being wrong about Mr. Wheeler’s comment so Moderate makes up allegations without substantiating the allegations?

  33. No clue and there’s no substantiating support.

    And Jack Franks has yet to produce anything resembling a plan to cut property taxes 10% in the County and in every property taxing district in County.

    Jack has identified no specific cuts.

    Zero.

    A goal is not a plan.

    Creating an ad hoc committee is not a plan.

    Is Jack afraid of identifying cuts, because then people affected by those cuts may not vote for him?

    Hard to believe he’s totally clueless as to what may be cut or too lazy to take the time to identify cuts, but those are also possibilities.

  34. Part II:Cal Skinner is Not for Lowering Taxes

    This is the second post in my continuing series pointing out the hypocrisy of Cal Skinner to the GOP members of the board that read this blog.

    We have an opportunity to bring true property tax relief in a bipartisan way. Many individuals on this blog and in the media emphasize how critical it is taxing bodies start to identify tangible cuts to bring substantial relief to the taxpayers. I’m just a simple citizen, but I see a huge opportunity to work together to get this done. We have to work together. One person does does bring property tax relief to the citizens. We have a vibrant effort with input from many board members who are publicly committed to work together to make this a reality. That’s leadership.

    Cal Skinner doesn’t want you to cut taxes.

    Cal doesn’t want you to be part of the plan to bring property tax relief to McHenry County.

    Cal wants to spend time maximizing political costs on Jack Franks – even if that means providing zero relief to the taxpayers.

    That’s not leadership – it’s partisanship.

    Let’s work together.

  35. This senseless attack against my sunshine blogger makes me weep in tears. What an awful way to start my morning in my sunshine blog, where commitment to the taxpayers rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream. Or perhaps not. Sunshine blogger, are you working hard on the post about Hultgren’s town hall meeting on Tuesday? 2018, do not delay…Tic, tock, tic, tock…

  36. Who’s the leader of the club that’s made for you and me?

    Moderate ………….. Moderate!

    Forever let us hold his banner high …… high…..high.

    Come along and sing his song and join the jamboree

    Hey there. Hi there. Ho there we’re as happy as can be.

    NOT!

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