Supporters of a Lemont-Bromberek School District 113A referendum to raise school taxes 0.45 percent say the increase would cost Cook County taxpayers about $150 for each $100,000 of their home's value.
An earlier story on TribLocal.com had stated the tax hike would result in an increase of $214 per $100,000. That calculation was provided by opponents of the referendum.
"The previous calculation ($214 per every $100,000) is not accurate, as it does not include the benefit of the higher homeowner's exemption effective when the tax rate increases," Citizens for School District 113A said in a statement issued Monday.
"The correct calculation—$150 per $100,000—is an estimate that includes the benefit from the higher homeowner's exemption," the statement said.  "Each individual's tax increase may be higher or lower than this amount; it is an estimate only, because exemptions are different for different homeowners."
Friends of District 113A had cited the $150 estimate in campaign literature supporting the referendum.
In its statement, the group also said that the out-of-pocket cost to taxpayers could be considerably lower.
"Additionally, property taxes are deductible and, after the tax deduction, the additional taxes will likely be in the range of $115-$135 (per $100,000) out of pocket." the statement said.
The actual language used on the Feb. 2 ballot said the increase would cost District 113A homeowners in Cook County an additional $45 for every $100,000 of their home’s value, while district residents in DuPage County would see a corresponding increase of $150.
Tracy Dalton, a district resident who opposes the measure, said the ballot language did not reflect the estimated 2010 state equalization factor of 4.7658 for Cook County, which she estimated would result in an increase of $214 per $100,000 for district residents in Cook County.
The factor, or multiplier, is used to achieve uniform property assessment throughout the state. DuPage County does not use a state equalization factor.
The language used on the ballot is what was mandated by state election laws, district officials said.
The district is facing a $3.3 million deficit next year. If approved, the additional funding will pay strictly for programs, services and staff, said superintendent Tim Ricker.
The district has relied on deficit spending for at least the last 11 years to cover shortages in its education fund brought on but state funding cuts and late payments from Cook County, Ricker said.
Last year, the district was forced to issue a pair tax anticipation warrants totaling $7 million, a move that put it on the state financial watch list for troubled schools. Ricker said.
If the measure fails, the district will have to cut staff and programs at Central, Oakwood, Old Quarry and River Valley schools. Targeted  cuts include teachers, staff, administrators and elimination or reduction of all non-mandated programs, such as band, music and art.
This is the district’s first referendum in seven years.
That one failed, but Ricker said he was optimistic about the district’s chances this time around.
“It’s a hard sell with the economy, but I think the community knows where we’re at,” he said.

—Bill Wimbiscus
Triblocal.com