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POLL, VIDEO UPDATE: Tax Group Asks School Board for Zero Levy Increase
The Geneva Board of Education already passed a resolution for a 1.5 percent levy increase, but Geneva TaxFACTS members suggest using reserve funds, if necessary.
Geneva residents and members of a tax watchdog group asked the Geneva School Board on Monday night to consider a zero percent tax levy increase.
The suggestion came from four speakers during the public comments portion of the meeting.
At its Nov. 12 meeting, the School Board passed a resolution seeking a 1.5 percent increase over the 2011 tax extension.
"Why can’t we freeze the tax levy?" asked TaxFACTS member Sandra Ellis. "Why can’t we live within our budget? ... Please seriously consider looking at the tax levy differently. Live within a budget, as everyone else is trying to do."
John Rice thanked board members for the resolution of the recent teachers union contract negotiations and said he would support the board in its decision to seek a 1.5 percent levy increase, even if it meant "a little soul searching" about where to cut back.
"Our community is in a little bit of a pickle," he said. "We have a limited base of taxpayers here. I myself don’t want to be taxed out of our community. I support your 1.5 percent. But it would be great if you could make zero percent work."
Jay Moffat, who is also a member of the Geneva Plan Commission, echoed Ellis' remarks and suggested using cash reserves, if necessary.
"I personally believe we can easily survive with a flat dollar amount for the levy," he said. "We’re sitting on a $57 million fund balance."
Bob McQuillan, co-founder of the Geneva TaxFACTS citizens group, suggested District 304 reduce reserves to 33 percent of its operatiing budget rather than the more than 60 percent it carries now.
McQuillan also pointed out the semantics of the budget discussion, which he said can be misleading.
"I’m glad John Rice brought up the $900,000 budget cut. That’s not a cut. That’s a cut from what you would potentially get," he said. "This is completely opposite of how a budget should develop. The (past) process resulted in overtaxing residents and creating a reserve fund that is way too high."
For the owner of a $315,000 home, a 1.5 percent tax levy increase would result in about $340 property tax increase, according to a chart provided by School District 304 Assistant Superintendent for Finance Donna Oberg.
A zero percent tax levy would result in a tax increase of $264 for the same home.
| CPI-U | Tax Rate |
Increase per |
Total |
| 3% | 6.13 | 0.39 | $415 |
| 2.5% | 6.11 | 0.37 | $390 |
| 2.25% | 6.09 | 0.35 | $378 |
| 2% | 6.08 | 0.34 | $365 |
| 1.5% | 6.06 | 0.32 | $340 |
| 0% | 5.99 | 0.26 | $264 |
The School District's tax rate is at the highest mark it has been in the past decade, according to the District 304 website.
| Year | Tax Rate |
| 2012* | 6.06* |
| 2011 | 5.7335 |
| 2010 | 5.3038 |
| 2009 | 4.8468 |
| 2008 | 4.6991 |
| 2007 | 4.6629 |
| 2006 | 4.8008 |
| 2005 | 4.9572 |
| 2004 | 5.0255 |
| 2003 | 4.9617 |
| 2002 | 5.0405 |
* Suggested with 1.5 percent increase in tax levy.
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Robert Hohmann
10:25 pm on Monday, November 26, 2012
As a retiree with limited income it is more important than ever to be cognizant of where my funds are being consumed. Every year since my wife and I have lived in Geneva, local and state TAXES have increased to the point where we have to seriously consider moving to a more affordable community! What a shame...mostly because it's totally unnecessary if the governmental bodies would be more frugal and responsible (ie: state pension debacle and local school spending) in their budgeting processes! It's akin to global warming, a disaster in the making that won't get serious attention until the disaster hits home! Sweet home Geneva...if only for a little while longer.
G.Ryan
11:02 pm on Monday, November 26, 2012
Even with a 0% tax levy there is a tax increase to the taxpayer? Time to start budget cutting and stop the "spend then tax" philosophy trends. Is the 300 MILLION DEBT not enough of a fiscal negligence?
David
11:39 pm on Monday, November 26, 2012
I have been living in this community for 20 years. I thought the people hear were fiscally responsible. Boy was I wrong. You guys thought paying teachers more money would give your children a better education. I laugh at your stupidity. Now pay your taxes and when you can't afford living here sell your homes and move out.
Jay Moffat
1:22 pm on Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Rick there is a problem with your poll in my opinion. The problem is the use of percentages versus dollars. CUSD 304 calls a $1,208,754 increase a 0% levy increase. FY 2012-13 has expected revenue of $61,278,877 and a 0% levy increase has the CUSD 304 showing revenue of $62,487,631 for their Operating Levy. I believe that most rational people believe a 0% increase means NO ADDED DOLLARS. Unfortunately the average taxpayer does not understand government levying math and therefore we fall victim to the use of percentages as having value versus demanding taxing bodies disclose numbers in more concrete terms by using dollars.
Sandra Ellis
9:11 am on Wednesday, November 28, 2012
As an added comment, I have since received input that people think the 1.5% levy resolution passed by the board on November 12 makes the increase a "done deal". It is NOT a done deal until their vote on December 10 at an open school board meeting. At a miniumum, each board member should express their rationale about why they feel they deserve even more money than this year's amount so when elections happen next April, citizens will have a better feel about which board members are serious about holding back on expenses.
Kathy
2:23 pm on Wednesday, November 28, 2012
I would also urge the board to consider 0%. It is seriously time to consider some tough budget cuts. If people were concerned about what freezing teacher salaries would ultimately do to our desirability as a community, then they should realize that a huge tax burden is even more prohibitive to prospective home buyers! Please BOE, don't make it worse in this economy. Cut the budget and hold off on the levy.
Pete Peterson
6:28 pm on Thursday, November 29, 2012
Increasing taxes in a deflationary housing market is suicide to all the homeowners and to the Geneva School District for people cannot afford to live here and potential new homeowners will chose more affordable housing. It's a death spriral for all.