Mayor: Tax Levy Bump Averts Bigger Hikes

Mayor David Gonzalez predicts a polite, if not warm, reception from the city council for his administration's proposed 1.5 percent tax levy increase.

"We have to pay the bills. We have to think outside the box," Gonzalez said in an interview with Patch on Wednesday.

Gonzalez and City Treasurer Jim Dee had worked for four months to whittle the levy amount, the mayor said. Their plan goes before at Thursday's public hearing and special council meetings, Dec. 22.

Gonzalez said Chicago Heights has increased the levy—the chunk of the property tax bill the city requests—by about "10 to 15 percent" a year. He said the 1.5 percent proposal would avert that for 2012.

New sources of municipal revenue, such as Olympia Fields paying Chicago Heights for fire protection, have slowed the levy increase, said Gonzalez.

And cutting expenses through such steps as refinancing muncipal bonds and extending contracts with Skyline Disposal, Inc. is projected to keep costs within bounds, Gonzalez said.

While residents complain about muncipal tax increases, they should consider that the city tax bill is just part of the picture, Gonzalez said.

"We're only 30 percent of the tax bill. Sixty percent is the school district and the other 10 percent is township and county government," said Gonzalez. "Residents need to be more involved, not only with muncipalities, but school districts as well."

Gonzalez reviewed Thursday's meeting agenda:

• Ordinance 2011-41 provides for municipal bond refinancing.
• Ordinance TL 11-1 seeks approval of the 1.5 percent tax levy increase.
• Ordinance 2011-43 seeks approval to execute a new agreement with Skyline Disposal, extending the current city contract through 2016. "By extending the contract, we renegotiate, we save $185,000 to $190,000 a year," Gonzalez said. 
• Ordinance 2011-42 provides for a referendum question allowing some residents to opt out of a new city program to "bundle" its electricity purchases. Gonzalez said the program is not a money-maker for Chicago Heights, but is expected to lower residential bills.
• Ordinance 2011-44 approves the mayor to execute a bargaining agreement between the city and Fraternal Order of Police on behalf of the CHPD's detention aides.

A public hearing on the proposed corporate and special funds is scheduled for 6:50 p.m. in council chambers, , 1601 Chicago Road. City Treasurer Jim Dee is scheduled to present the levy proposal, followed by discussion and questions by members of the City Council. Next, members of the public are expected to add their views. A special City Council meeting is scheduled to follow at 7 p.m.