Mokena 159 to Vote on 4.9 Percent Tax Levy Increase

Mokena School District 159 Board of Education members are scheduled to vote on a tax levy increase of 4.9 percent over what was levied last year at Wednesday’s meeting.

During the October meeting, D159 Director of Business Operations John Troy recommended the board passes a levy higher than 4.9 percent, which was the levy requested last year. But the board members were mostly against doing so, given that the school district ended the previous fiscal year with a $1.7 million surplus.

“I have a hard time taking a dime more from the community than we need,” said board member Patrick Markham during the October meeting.

Board member Joseph Spalla said he could understand a levy equal to the Consumer Price Index, which is 1.7 percent, since district contracts are tied to CPI.

“But I have a problem asking for more when we just put $1.7 million in the bank,” Spalla said.

Troy said asking for a higher levy won’t guarantee that amount, because laws cap the levy at 5 percent or the CPI, whichever is lower.

While the levy has to be capped at 5 percent, asking for higher than that opens up possibly collecting more money from new developments built in the next year, Troy said during the meeting. He cited the Meijer in progress at Wolf Road and Lincoln Highway, and a new subdivision recently approved by the village to build, as examples of new construction that will be generating tax money in 2014.

“You need to ask for enough so the new developments are all paying fair share,” Troy said. “Otherwise you are truly leaving money on the table. “

Board member Aaron Jank suggested keeping the levy the same as last year. D159 Superintendent Omar Castillo said it’s common for districts to request a levy just under 5 percent to stay within the cap.

“The two sides are what we can get, and what we need,” Markham said. “We don’t want to leave money on the table, but as we do that it still affects every home. I just can’t help but think the average tax payers will look at our need for taxation versus our legal ability to do so.”

Troy said the district ran deficit budgets from 2007 until 2012, and would be running a deficit for the 2013-2014 fiscal year. The  $738,201 deficit would be offset by money from the surplus. He also said capital improvements have been pushed off.

“There are things we haven’t done in the last five years and the chickens have come home to roost,” Troy said. “Now is the time to spend that surplus and our fund balance policy dictates we do so.”

Troy offered to come up with a reduced levy proposal for the board to vote on after hearing the feedback.

The Mokena D159 Board of Education meets 7 p.m. Wednesday at Mokena Elementary School.

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