Residents Will Have to Pay More in Real Estate Taxes

Aldermen were split 4-to-2 in the vote to approve the levy, which raises real estate taxes for Oak Forest residents by about $27. The levy includes a $500,000 payment into the city's reserve fund, with a goal of reaching $3.5 million in reserves by 20

Oak Forest residents will have to shell out more of their hard-earned cash in taxes, after aldermen approved the 2012 tax levy. Residents in Oak Forest will pay about an additional $27 to the city in real estate tax due to the levy. The levy, which totals $8 million, is 3.08 percent—or $240,031—higher than last year's levy, said city Finance Director Colleen Julian. The city arrived at that number after several meetings and by taking into account factors such as a deficiency in the general fund balance, city employee wages and other issues. “The 3 percent presented today will sustain the 117 full-time employees that are currently in the budget,” Julian said. “It has a $500,000 surplus that is intended to go into reserves, to build our …

•  39 Comments
• Photos (1)