By Annette Aubinger
Editor
HOWARD – Taxes were the topic at the Oct. 23, 2017 Howard village board meeting.
The general fund tax levy limit was discussed as part of the process in developing the 2018 budget.
Chris Haltom, Howard’s director of administrative services presented that part of the proposed budget to the board.
Haltom gave a power point presentation where he stated that the tax levy limit was limited to taxes generated fromnet new construction.
For 2018 the limited tax levy increase is $118,307.
Staff proposed using all of the allowed increase.
The tax proposed rate is $3.72 per $1,000 of equalized value in 2018. This would be the same as 2017.
This includes increasing service level in the Public Works department by adding one full-time assistant director and adding one full-time fire fighter.
Haltom reviewed the general fund information from the last meeting where no changes were made.
Highlights from that meeting were adding two full-time positions, employees possibly receiving 2 percent for cost of living increase/merit raises.
Moreover, health insurance is estimated to decrease by 24 percent.
Haltom also said that service levels in all departments will be maintained.
It includes contracts for police ($4,500 increase) and refuse ($4,300 increase).
The County Rescue contract will have a $5,000 decrease. Tipping fees for garbage tonnage is a $10,000 increase and
liability/workers comp insurance and $11,000 increase.
Haltom also gave an over view of the special revenue funds and debt service fund.
At the next Nov. 13 meeting all the capital project funds will be discussed.
That includes general government, police, fire, public works, park impact fee, developer projects/engineering, capital
improvements (resurfacing) and all the village TID’s.
Enterprise funds will also be discussed including: water, sanitary sewer, storm water, golf and the Howard Commons apartment complex.