Lemont holds Truth in Taxation hearing on proposed $5.002 million levy; residents press for financial details
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Summary
At a Nov. village board meeting, Lemont held a Truth in Taxation public hearing on a proposed 2025 property tax levy of $5,002,087 (a 6.75% increase from 2024). Finance staff said the increase reflects a 2.9% tax cap plus about 3.9% new growth; residents asked for clearer, liquid-balance figures and local representation at follow-up forums.
Lemont opened a Truth in Taxation public hearing during its regular board meeting to review the village’s proposed 2025 property tax levy of $5,002,087. Darshana, a village finance staff member, told the board the amount is roughly 6.75% higher than the 2024 levy and reflects a 2.9% tax-cap component plus about 3.9% attributable to new growth.
The board and staff walked through how the levy is calculated. Darshana said the village uses the lower of 5% or the consumer-price index for the statutory cap and adds assessed new growth to that figure. ‘‘The levy proposed levy amount requested is $5,002,087 which is 6.75% higher than the 2024 tax levy amount,’’ Darshana said during the presentation.
Trustees and staff noted that Lemont’s portion of a typical property tax bill is relatively small — about 7–8% — and that multiple taxing bodies (school districts, park districts, library, township, county) each appear on the bill. Staff also told residents that Cook County planned to mail tax bills later in the week.
During the public-hearing segment, resident Laura Regal asked for the village’s net liquid financial position — assets minus liabilities excluding capital assets — saying taxpayers have a right to know the liquid-dollar figure. Staff responded that the full published budget is available online and offered to follow up with a specific calculation. The board agreed to take Laura’s question and provide a follow-up answer after the meeting.
Board procedure: trustees voted to open and later close the Truth in Taxation hearing; the hearing was opened by motion and closed by a roll-call vote. No final levy adoption occurred at the meeting; the hearing records the proposal and public input required by state law.
What’s next: the village will provide follow-up financial details requested by residents and continue the statutory process for adopting the levy, with tax bills mailed by the Cook County treasurer according to county timing.