From Tim Beck:
When is a tax decrease not a decrease?
Last March, the county’s voters approved property tax relief by passing a referendum to fund the Mental Health Board with a new .25% sales tax.
The levy for the Mental Health Board will not be in next year’s county budget or in our property tax bills.
However, the county board is currently discussing several spending scenarios for next year’s budget.
The good news is that one of the options is a further decrease in the county’s property tax levy, which is supported by a number of the Republican board members.
Another is a “flat” (no change) levy.
Unfortunately, the other options call for more taxes for increased spending and are supported by the Democrat board members.
Also, the McHenry County Conservation District has put a referendum on this year’s ballot to increase its levy as well.
Conservation District Proposes Higher Tax
The district’s general obligation bonds are scheduled to be repaid in 2026, which would result in a decrease in the District’s property tax levy.
However, they are using that future decrease as a means to advance a new tax for future spending.
The approximate amount of taxes at the current rate is $9.5 million and would increase to $12.3 million if the proposal is approved.
Many of our county’s citizens are saying “enough is enough”.
We need real property tax relief and do not support government continuing to increase taxes for new spending.
When times are tough, people make tough choices as to where they will cut spending to make ends meet.
Government should do the same.
