The District 153 school board was presented with a proposed levy request of $24.1 million for 2023.
The funds will cover costs for the district’s administration of Willow, Churchill and James Hart Schools in Homewood. The money is divided among 10 funds, including operations and maintenance, education which covers salaries, special education and transportation, as well as the bond and interest fund.
At the Nov. 13 board meeting, Chief School Business Official Eric Trimberger said the levy was adjusted to reflect the estimated referendum increase of $4.2 million in 2022, plus the state’s tax cap that sets the increase at 5%, even though the Consumer Price Index registered an increase of 6.5%.
Trimberger said the district expects a $3.2-million increase over the $17.8 million 2022 levy. The district registers the increases through the 5% tax cap, the referendum request and new property. The board also levies for the Bond & Interest Fund at $6.01 per $100 assessed. This brings the tax rate for District 153 to $7.17 per $100 assessed.
The district’s Equalized Assessed Valuation (EAV) for all property is expected to be $349.2 million, a 15% increase over the 2022. Property in the South Suburbs was reassessed, and the increase registers on 2023 taxes that will be paid in 2024.
The board set a public hearing on the levy for 7 p.m. Dec. 11 at James Hart School. The board is expected to adopt the levy during its regular meeting following the hearing.
