By Karen Haave
Monee taxpayers will get a break for the fifth consecutive year, courtesy of the mayor and village board.
Trustees voted unanimously during their October 23 meeting to keep the village tax levy at the same level it has been since 2020. The tax levy is the amount of revenue the mayor and board of trustees budget for police, emergency management, village bond, police pension, workers compensation, and the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF). The greater the tax base, the lower a tax levy is needed for operational purposes.
Even though the village has not raised its tax levy for five years, it continues to operate a balanced general fund.
“Once again, for the fifth straight year, there is no increase, so we do not need a public hearing,” Village Attorney Larry Gryczewski explained. “If you go over five percent (increase in the levy), then you need a public hearing. We’re not doing that, we’re keeping the levy in the same place, and this will not affect any services, and I believe it also will not affect the rebate to the homeowners. So, this is basically what’s been done for the past four years. This will be the fifth year.”
Trustee Douglas Horne, who served as President Pro Tem in the absence of Mayor Therese Bogs, noted, “I will just say this to our audience and the other trustees, this is a great selling point to people when you’re out and about, talking to people about the great things happening in Monee, this being one of them, also the tax rebate and the infrastructure improvements.
“People are shocked, they really are, because they don’t hear about these things, the freezing of the tax levy and the rebates…and affordable housing, as well. So, it’s a great talking point for people to come here and take a look.”