Michele -The total amount of the city's portion of the property tax levy is the amount needed to operate after other revenues (fees fines, sales taxes, water bills etc) are projected. The 2008 2009 amount is $38 million. Keep in mind, the cost to run the city is $219 million.

$38 million is then assessed to all Evanston property taxpayers based on the assessed value of their property.

No matter what the assessed values are – the city only gets the $38 million it levied. If the assessed values in the city go up a gazillion dollars or down a gazillion, the assessor can only assess Evanston taxpayers the $38 million. There is no windfall and no shortfall. The city gets no more or less money than it levies. Of course some don't pay but they are taxed. While some bills went up, plenty went down, believe it or not. All based on assessed value of the property and the various rates and equalization factors. Look at the right hand column of your 2008 2nd installment bill – you can see the formula used to calculate your share of the the tax from all taxing bodies. It is a good lesson to compare your bill with someone else.

I am setting up a board for tax discussions because it is important to flush out issues and questions such as yours.

Don’t forget:
Participate in the community budget process – in person or on line
http://www.cityofevanston.org/budget/

Everything you could ever want to know about the budget is on line.
 


Just for the record let’s say your tax for this 2nd installment is $2900, 19.7% of that bill is collected by the City of Evanston or about $571. The rest goes to the other 13 taxing units. The assessed value
of your home is the basis for the share of taxes you pay.