The news
The City of Evanston’s proposed 2027 budget would raise the city’s property tax levy by 10% and the residential water rate by 25%, along with several smaller taxes. [1]
The main changes
- Property tax: the levy would rise by $5,138,439, or 10%. With the library’s planned 3.15% increase, the city estimates a median home worth $481,200 would pay about $180 more a year. [1]
- Water: a 25% rate increase would add about $135 to the average household’s annual bill, the first of several increases planned to replace water mains and lead service lines. [1]
- Rideshare tax: from 20 cents to 50 cents a ride. [1]
- Streaming tax: from 5% to 10%. [1]
- Natural gas use tax: from 2.5 cents to 5 cents per therm. That is the gas that heats homes; the proposal lists no change to the tax on gasoline. [1]
- Real estate transfer tax: $1 more per $1,000 of value on sales over $1.5 million. [1]
A gap of about $22 million would be covered by drawing down reserves. [1]
When to weigh in
- Ward meetings, 6 p.m.: 1st Ward on Thursday, October 22; 6th, 8th and 9th Wards on Tuesday, October 27; 2nd, 4th and 7th Wards on Thursday, November 5. Locations had not been announced. [2]
- Staff will bring an update to the City Council on October 26. [2]
- The council’s initial approval is set for November 9, with final adoption targeted for November 23. [2]