Local Taxing districts like schools, fire departments, Libraries, Park districts, and cities should not raise their Levy if they are truly concerned with the tax payer. Members of these Boards are elected, and should represent the taxpayer. Yes, there are times it is necessary to raise the levy, but not every year, and not to the maximum allowed. The myth of capturing the new growth by raising the Levy needs to be understood.
A Community will bring in new commercial development in an effort to lower the tax burden on its residents. This effort is defeated when taxing bodies raise their levy’s (taxes) to capture the new growth. It is also defeated when spending is increased.
Total Amount taxed (needed) by each tax district (levy) = Total amount of dollars collected by those in each district
