Three Addison fire millages expected to expire later this year will be on the Aug. 5 primary ballot for reauthorization at their original voter-approved rates, which means a potential 0.2894-mill increase for taxpayers.
Voters will decide whether an existing 0.5716-mill fire operating tax should be increased back to its original voter-approved amount of 0.75 mill (75 cents for every $1,000 in taxable value).
Over the years, the millage rate has been reduced (or rolled back) due to the state’s Headlee Amendment, which requires millages to be lowered whenever the total assessed value of properties (excluding new construction) in a local unit of government increases by a percentage greater than inflation.
The idea is to limit the annual property tax increase to the rate of inflation.
Addison residents will also be asked to combine two fire capital millages ? currently assessed separately at 0.4261 mill and 0.2129 mill ? and increase them to their original voter-approved amounts of 0.50 mill and 0.25 mill (a total of 0.75 mill), respectively.
‘There are no new levies or anything like that,? said Fire Chief George Spencer. ‘We just hope to be able to continue the great service that the department has been providing for the citizens. We just ask for their support.?
The operating millage would last from 2009-2014 and be used for fire protection and ambulance services within the township. If approved, it’s estimated the tax would generate about $264,230 in its first year.
The combined fire capital millage would last from 2009-2016 and would raise $264,230 for capital improvements in its first year of levy, if approved.