Byron Residents Get Tax Levy Lesson

Byron, IL- About a dozen Byron residents turned out at a public hearing to discuss the school district`s proposed 1000 percent tax levy increase. The massive tax-rate increase has left many residents stunned. But district officials say residents have already shown their approval of the levy by passing a $28 million bond sale in the March referendum. "They saw a levy increase from almost zero to $2.5 million," said Margaret Fostiak, the Byron School District Superintendent. "But the reality is that the $2.5 million or 1000 percent increase was a direct result of the passage of the bond rate referendum that was held in March." With the increase, the school district hopes to gather $2.5 million annually. District officials contend that the increase isn`t as large as it appears, though. They say the large percentage spike is caused by the fact that this is first rate levy the district has implemented. "The district has never levied in this fund before," said Fostiak. "That is why when the Truth and Taxation Notice was published in the newspaper it appeared as a 1000 percent tax rate increase because the district has never levied before." The tax-rate hike will help repay the costs of construction of a new middle school and an addition to Byron High School. One Byron resident and a former Byron High School principal we spoke with says the school improvements are long overdue. "Byron`s high schools is I think 26 years old. People still call it the new high school in Byron," said Frank Conry. "And if you look around carefully all the other schools in the area have newer high schools than we do." The increase means that a home with a $100,000 price tag will cost a tax payer nearly a $130 more next year. Some residents say that`s a price they`re willing to pay, so long as the outcome is a better educational experience. "We want to keep good schools and a well capitalized system here in Byron so the kids have a real good school system and have the best chance of success," said Mark Miller, a Byron resident. According to the Superintendent, the tax rate increase could still change based on the assessed value of the Exelon Byron nuclear plant. Through the plant`s property taxes, it currently pays about 78% of the school districts bills. If its current assessed value is upheld, the tax rates could go down.