Sturtevant Tax Rate Will Rise 66 Cents

Most Sturtevant residents will see their property taxes go down despite trustees raising the levy and, by extension, the tax rate.

The 2013 budget comes to $3.83 million, up from the $3.82 million budget in 2012. Trustees chose to raise the levy 1.6 percent; from $1.9 million to $2.03 million based on state formula that allows communities to raise their levies an amount equal to new construction growth combined with a percentage of the municipality's debt service.

Mill rates will rise from $7.541 per $1,000 of assessed value to $8.20 per $1,000 of assessed value.

"We thought taxes would actually go up to about $8.30, but we had some good news in our village assessment so we can actually lower the mill rate a little bit," said Village Clerk/Interim Administrator Mary Cole at the Nov. 13 continual committee meeting.

The increases are the result of growth, which is good, and falling home values and reduced state aid, which is bad. So, while $8.20 is 66 cents higher than 2012, most residents will see a decrease because single family home values have gone down by another 10 percent.

"We've lost 20 percent over the last two years in cuts in state aid, so we have to raise taxes to keep services," Cole explained.

Trustee John Johnson said he's not happy about the tax increase, but without it, the village would have to cut services.

"Well, I'm happy to hear the increase is 10 cents less than we thought it would be, but I also don't like having to think about cutting important village services like police or roads," he said.

The Village Board meets at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Village Hall, 2801 89th Street. Call (262) 886-7200.