Oglesby hikes levy, tax rate to go down a little

Oglesby’s tax rate is going down – a little – but whether taxpayers actually will pay less remains to be seen.

On Monday, the Oglesby City Council adopted a $1.6 million tax levy, which is a little less than the 5% increase that would require the city to host a Truth in Taxation hearing. For taxpayers, that means a half-cent reduction in the tax rate.

Mayor Jason Curran said the municipal rate is projected to slide from 21.4 cents to less than 21 cents.

“It’s a small amount less,” Curran said, “but it is a lower tax rate. That’s the good news, and I want to focus on that.”

Will that mean Oglesby homeowners will write a smaller check to La Salle County? Not necessarily. Home values likely will increase, which could offset the reduction in tax rate.