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In a message to families and the community, Superintendent Dr. Ron Pacheco of Manhattan School District 114 outlined the district's annual tax levy process in accordance with Illinois School Code. Dr. Pacheco reassured the community that despite potential increases in levies, the tax rate will remain unchanged at $4.2552.
The superintendent highlighted that public taxing bodies must file their levy for the next fiscal year by December and publish a "Truth in Taxation" notice before the tax levy hearing. This notice must include all taxes that can be levied for debt service, which could result in a reported increase of 152.75% in Bond & Interest Levy and a 33.15% increase overall from the previous year.
Dr. Pacheco emphasized that any revenue increase for the district would come from new home construction, new businesses, or increased assessed values of existing properties—not an increase in the tax rate itself.
The process includes several steps each year: publishing the Truth in Taxation Notice, holding a public hearing on the tax levy during December board meetings, filing the tax levy request with Will County Clerk by December's end, and conducting a special board meeting in March to adjust bond and interest levies as necessary.
Dr. Pacheco invited those with questions about this process to contact him directly.
"Any increase in revenue for the district comes from (1) new home construction, (2) new businesses, or (3) increased assessed values of existing properties," he explained.
"We want to assure you that...the Board of Education stands by that pledge," said Dr. Pacheco regarding maintaining current tax rates despite potential changes outlined in taxation notices.
