Streator’s nearly $213,000 property tax increase for next year is too much for some City Council members. But they approved it four-to-one. City Attorney Sheryl Churney warned Wednesday night that if they didn’t, the city would get no property tax revenue next year. The hit would top $4 million.
Council member Brian Crouch, who’s running for mayor, wanted to discuss the increase of nearly 5%.
Council member Jacob Darby felt the levy request was rushed. He said the city should try not to raise taxes while people’s utility bills are soaring. He wanted to abstain during the vote until Churney’s warning.
Mayor Tara Bedei says the tax levy request wasn’t just suddenly put out there. She says it came up at the committee of the whole meeting last month and was reported on in the local press.
With its passage, the tax levy request is for $4,457,367.
Streator City Council member Brian Crouch
Streator Mayor Tara Bedei, picture from Facebook