Clash Over Spending Could Be Looming at LG Council Meeting

The La Grange City Council will hold a special meeting Tuesday evening, Sept. 8, and it could turn into a clash over spending.

The meeting agenda includes just two items: a public hearing over the City’s financial audit for the coming fiscal year, and a vote over the first reading of the budget ordinance.

In order to fund the proposed budget, the council would need to pass the highest property tax rate possible without triggering a public election, which is known as the voter approval rate. That would amount to an increase from the current property tax rate of $0.18194 per $100 of taxable value to $0.19075 per $100.

At their last meeting on Aug. 24, the Council proposed a tax rate “ceiling” $0.19075, meaning they could ultimately set a lower rate but they may not set it any higher.

In posts on social media this week, two Councilmen called for budget cuts and urged citizens to attend the meeting.

Councilman Ken Taylor said he does not support the maximum tax rate but instead advocated for the no new revenue rate of $0.17819 per $100. This rate would bring the city approximately the same amount of property tax revenue as the current year.

“The #1 issue today is affordability but yet we don’t think about cutting cost, we only think (to) raise the tax on our citizens,” Taylor said in his post.

Councilman Dylan Schlotterbeck echoed those sentiments.

“We do not need higher taxes,” Schlotterbeck said. “There are places we can cut cost. Starting with unnecessary projects and constant use of outside consultants. Please come and voice your opinions with us.”

Tuesday’s meeting takes place at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber at City Hall.