Park Board approves levy; most people will see no increase in property taxes

QUINCY — The Quincy Park District Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the 2021 tax levy ordinance Wednesday night. Most city residents should see no increase in their property taxes because of that vote.

The levies for 2021 property taxes only include aggregate taxes and not debt service. Aggregate taxes provide revenue for general and special operational expenses of the district.  The levy will eventually produce between $2.36 million and $2.44 million.

The final numbers surrounding the levy will be easier to establish in the spring. That’s when the EAV (equalized assessed value) is determined.

Don Hilgenbrinck, director of business services for the Park District, said the high-water mark of the taxing ($2.44 million) is based on the EAV increasing 6.1 percent, which he believes is unlikely. Hilgenbrinck said the EAV likely will be around 3 percent, which would lead to the lower $2.36 million figure.

There is no set rate for property tax in Illinois, according to www2.illinois.gov. A homeowner’s tax bill is based on two factors — the EAV and the amount of money local tax districts need to operate during the coming year. Most property is assessed at 33 1/3 percent of its fair market value.

“There would be no increase, for example, for the owner of a $100,000 home unless the property is assessed more,” Hilgenbrinck said. “The EAV is usually determined in April.”

In other board developments:

The board was presented with fiscal 2022 budget, which will be voted on at the December meeting. Revenues are projected at $5.85 million, down slightly ($35,000) from the 2021 budget. Expenditures are forecast to be $7.15 million, down just under $200,000 from the previous year. The $1.3 million projected shortfall is “not unusual,” according to board member John Frankenhoff, who said the disparity is normally covered by a surplus of unused capital funds from the preceding year. Formal action on the budget will take place in December.

The commissioners reviewed the proposed selling of $1.04 million in general obligation bonds, designed to fund park improvement projects and equipment purchases. The 2022 general obligation bond ordinance is scheduled to be presented to the board for approval in December.

Matt Higley, director of parks, told the board the playground area at Madison Park “is closed for a couple of weeks” because of ongoing work on the Madison Park shelter house.