City HallTuesday, November 3
Evanston councilmembers push for budget changes as the 8.9% levy hike nears a vote
The 5AM Evanston team
If you pay property taxes here, the 2027 budget is moving fast. At a special meeting Monday night, the council held a "Truth in Taxation" hearing on a proposed 8.9% hike in the city and library property tax levies, well over the 5% threshold that triggers one. Several councilmembers said the plan looks the same as the one City Manager Luke Stowe released Oct. 6.
The levy hike is well past the hearing trigger
- 8.9%
- proposed rise in city and library levies
- 5%
- threshold that triggers a Truth in Taxation hearing
- 7.5
- full-time-equivalent positions the proposal would cut
Source: Evanston RoundTable
Ald. Matt Rodgers (8th), who chairs the Finance and Budget Committee, said he could "recite it verbatim" and that if nothing gets cut, "I'm a no vote." Chief financial officer Hitesh Desai told the hearing "nothing has changed," though the city might consider a referendum to adjust the proposed Real Estate Transfer Tax. Stowe said he'll bring staffing details to the finance committee Wednesday.
The budget's first votes come within weeks
- Oct. 6Stowe releases his 2027 budget proposal.
- Nov. 2Council holds a Truth in Taxation hearing on the 8.9% levy hike.
- Nov. 4Stowe is to bring staffing details to the finance committee.
- Nov. 9Budget ordinances are on the council agenda for introduction.
- Nov. 23Ordinances would return for final approval if introduced.
Sources: Evanston RoundTable, The Daily Northwestern
- Ald. Clare Kelly: suggested cutting 10 positions, mostly mid-level managers
- Kelly's other idea: trim the loss factor to 2.5% for debt, 2% for the rest
- Library's share of proposed cuts: 1.67 full-time-equivalent positions
- Resident Michael Prendergast cited a 25% water rate increase
Sources: Evanston RoundTable, The Daily Northwestern