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September 9, 2019
Neighbors,
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Hello,
In this edition of my newsletter I want to focus on the Property Tax Levy (amount collected in property taxes) vote tomorrow (September 10th) at the full board meeting at 9 AM on the 10th Floor of the Lake County Administration Building at 18 N County St in Waukegan.
There will be a vote for a resolution on the floor of the Board to set an estimated levy for 2020, which includes a freeze of the existing tax base levy, with an increase due to new development growth.
I will be proposing an amendment to the resolution to freeze the levy at the 2019 amount, opting to not increase the levy with new growth. Instead, the new growth will be used to reduce the existing tax base portion of the levy, however slight.
My reasons are many:
- Primarily, I am very concerned that new growth tax revenue in Lake County has declined by 90% since 2020, from $6 Million in 2000 to $605 Thousand projected in 2020.
- The Lake County property tax levy has increased 100% since 2000, from $80 Million in 2000 to the current $162 Million. Even when adjusted for inflation that number has risen from $125 Million in 2000 to the current $162 Million, an increase of 30%.
- Lake County will be receiving additional revenue from the state next year, partly due to increased transportation revenue from the State's Motor Fuel Tax (estimated between $5-7 Million a year), and Lake County will also receive sales tax revenue from any marijuana retail that goes anywhere in the County, including within municipalities. (I am not currently aware of any projections or estimates on marijuana tax)
- Cuts to services are not necessary to accomplish what I am asking, although during the budget process over the coming months I will be looking very closely to areas where cuts are warranted.
- Lake County Government has not lowered its levy going back at least 20 years (as far back as my data goes). This is an opportunity to show residents that we care about the current trajectory of Property Taxes, and are committed to reversing that trajectory for the first time in decades.
- Every $48 of property tax affects home equity by about $1,000. $480 of property tax affects about $10k in home equity and $4,800 in property tax affects about $100,000 in equity. This is because lenders approve mortgage borrowers based on their monthly debt to income ratio taking property taxes into account.
- While my proposal will mean very little on the individual tax bills, I hope its effect will be example setting and educational so that residents can ask the same of other taxing bodies that make up the 95% of the tax bill that County Government does not control.
- Property Tax Payers have been investing in maintenance and infrastructure to make new development growth possible, but under the current system of not using new development growth to lower property taxes, residents never earn a return on their investment.
If you would like to watch a video I prepared explaining the levy and my proposed amendment, you can watch the video here: http://dickbarrlakecounty.com/property-tax/please-support-my-no-growth-2020-property-tax-levy-amendment/
Thank you again for the opportunity to serve you. Please let me know if you have any questions at all!
Sincerely,
Dick Barr
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Report A Concern/Issue
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Have an issue you'd like to report? (Lost/Found Pets, Environmental concern, junk and debris, potholes, tall grass/weeds, water service interruptions, crime tips, drainage issues, etc.)
We've developed a convenient and easy way for you to report any issue through our online reporting tool, which will automatically route your concern to the pertinent County Department, as well as allows us to track and study areas of greatest concerns for future improvements.
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Property Tax Distribution
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Find out which taxing bodies get your Property Tax Dollars on your Property Tax Bill. Click here
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Property Tax Information
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Learn all about your property taxes; how to file for exemptions, contact your Assessor's office, where your property taxes go, understanding your property tax bill, when not to file an appeal and much more. Click here.
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Public Meetings
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Protect Your Home: Get Floodproofing Tips
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Get some important floodproofing tips and learn how increased rainfall is impacting Lake County.
Staff from the Lake County Stormwater Management Commission (SMC) will share information about how frequent and stronger rainfall events in Lake County are impacting residents, business owners and public and private development projects, provide floodproofing tips and resources, and answer questions. More information.
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September 17, 10 a.m. - Noon
Warren-Newport Public Library, Meeting Room A/B
224 O’Plaine Rd, Gurnee
Job News
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Job Fairs and Workshops in September
County Board News
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Strong Financial Management Helps County Secure AAA Bond Rating
Lake County in 2019 has once again been awarded AAA bond ratings, the highest possible, by both Standard & Poor's Financial Services (S&P) and Moody’s Investors Service, two of the world’s largest credit rating agencies. This marks more than 20 consecutive years that Lake County has achieved this rating.
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The high rating is important because it helps keep borrowing costs low and reflects a vote of confidence by financial experts in Lake County's strong financial management. The AAA rating has led to significant tangible savings for Lake County. The county will realize more than $7 million in savings on borrowing costs over the next nine years from replacing and reissuing two transportation bonds.
New State Law: County Boards Now Able to Remove Board Chair
Under a new state law signed by Governor J.B. Pritzker on Aug. 23, county boards that are empowered to choose their county chair now have the legal ability to remove the board chair. The specific provision contained in the law, Senate Bill 1236, was drafted at the behest of Lake County.
The new law amends the Illinois Local Government Officer Compensation Act and Counties Code, and establishes a specific process whereby a county board chair who is chosen by the board, which is the case in Lake County, can be removed if at least four-fifths of board members vote in favor of removal. Read more.
Innovative Program Helps Low-Income Drivers Get Back on the Road
Lake County celebrated a milestone recently in its innovative Road to Reinstatement Driver’s License Pilot Program.
The program—the culmination of a concerted effort led by Vice-Chair Mary Ross-Cunningham on behalf of the Lake County Board—was established to address on the local level an issue that is experienced by many low-income individuals nationwide: the loss of their driver’s license because of an inability to pay outstanding fees and fines. Read more.
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Lake County’s Amazing K9s: Boomer and Browser
K9 Browser, the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office electronic detection canine, put his skills to work as he and Handler Carol Gudbrandsen assisted the F.B.I. in a child pornography case involving an Indiana man. Read more.
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What Happened in Committees?
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Helping to Improve the Flow of Traffic
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Often times people think the only way to fix traffic congestion is to make roads bigger, or to construct new roads. But through a new program through the Lake County Division of Transportation (LCDOT), traffic flow can be improved by making roads smarter. On Aug. 28, the Public Works, Planning and Transportation Committee discussed a contract with a qualified vendor to provide software for Automated Traffic Signal Performance Measures (ATSPM). With ATSPM, LCDOT can review inconsistencies in traffic progression and address traffic signal issues in as little as one hour. Watch the discussion.
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Watch All County Board Meetings
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Keep informed about Lake County government! Watch County Board meetings live at 9 a.m. on the second Tuesday of each month. You can watch meetings live online or on Comcast channels 18 and 30, or AT&T channel 99. You can also view archived board meetings and standing committee meetings anytime.
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Sheriff News
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Drive Safely Near School Buses
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What is the most dangerous part of the school bus ride? The bus stop! Children are at greatest risk when they are getting on or off the school bus. Watch this video from the Lake County (IL) Sheriff's Office about what to do when driving near a school bus.
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Environmental News
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Requests for Watershed Management Project Proposals
The Lake County Stormwater Management Commission is accepting requests for proposals for Watershed Management Board (WMB) funded projects for FY2020. Homeowner associations, water alliance groups, and community members can submit a project idea that can positively impact the community. The proposal submission deadline is at 4 p.m. Oct 4. Additional information.
Forest Preserve News
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Hike Lake County Challenge
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Grab your hiking shoes and head to the trails to participate in the Hike Lake County challenge while enjoying fall breezes and autumn colors. You have until November 30 to complete seven hikes throughout the Lake County Forest Preserves and earn a commemorative shield for your walking stick or a zipper pull when you turn in your Travel Log. Learn more »
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Waukegan Savanna Dog Park
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The Waukegan Savanna Dog Park in Wadsworth is scheduled to open Sept. 13. The 11-acre off-leash park features amenities including a separate enclosed area for small dogs weighing less than 25 pounds, shade shelters, and drinking water for dogs and people. Annual or daily permits are available for the new dog park located within Waukegan Savanna Forest Preserve. The new dog park joins four other parks operated by the Lake County Forest Preserves.
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Carp-O-Rama
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Compete to catch the largest and most carp. Help reduce carp overpopulation. Catch and keep, or turn in your carp in to us at Carp-O-Rama. No limit. Cash prizes awarded. Fish to your heart’s content Saturday, Sept. 7, from 6:30 a.m. to noon, in the South Bay at Independence Grove Forest Preserve. A valid Illinois fishing license is required for ages 16 and older. Learn more »
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Night Voyageur
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Paddle into the 1740s with our 34-foot Montreal canoe and learn about Lake County’s tie to the French fur trade. The program takes place 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 14 at Van Patten Woods Forest Preserve in Wadsworth. Meet at the boat launch lot. Designed for adults, families with children ages 8 and up. $10 residents, $14 nonresidents. Registration required. Learn more »
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Community Events and News
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 2020 Census Resources for You
The 2020 Census provides an opportunity for everyone to be counted. The results of the 2020 Census can help shape the future of your community. And there are many ways for individuals, businesses, community organizations and others to play a part:
Celebration of Fall
Come on out for the first annual Lake Villa Celebration of Fall on Saturday, Sept. 21 on 65 Cedar Ave, Lake Villa. Enjoy the live music, food and lots of family fun activities. Learn More.
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#EndOverdose Training Event
Member agencies of the Northern Illinois Public Health Consortium (NIPHC), including the Lake County Health Department, are joining together to promote opioid overdose awareness and are offering free training that covers how to recognize signs of an overdose and how to use Naloxone, a lifesaving antidote. All Lake County residents are welcome to attend on Tuesday, Sept. 24, 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Waukegan Public Library, 128 N County St. More details.
 Household Chemical Waste Event
SWALCO is hosting two household chemical waste events at its Gurnee facility, 1311 N. Estes Street, on Saturday Sept. 14 and Monday, Sept. 23. Collections are for residential waste only. Appointments are required. Learn more.
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