Village Board Votes to Put Money Back into the Hands of Homeowners

Last year the Village Board rebated 50 percent of its share of property tax revenue, which amounted to just over $700,000. About 75 percent or 6,000 eligible homeowners took advantage of the 2011 program, according to Kim Auchstetter, village finance director.

The first year of the rebate program, 2010, the rebate totaled 40 percent.

The average savings per home this year is anticipated to be about $150 compared to $128 in 2011, she said.

All total, 7,500 property tax applications are expected to go in the mail later this week or early next week. The deadline for submission is Dec. 14. Homeowners must provide a picture of the front and back sides of their driver's license along with the application. The application can also be hand-delivered at the Village Hall or dropped off in the water and sewer payment box out front.  

The goal of the rebate program is to achieve a 100 percent return of the village's share of property tax revenue to the homeowners. The program was born out of a commitment that stems from a village-passed referendum in 2008 that sought home-rule status.

Home rule granted the village the right to up its sales tax by 1 percent. In New Lenox, sales tax is 8.5 percent—a slightly higher rate than neighboring communities.  

Mayor Tim Baldermann said, "Within a 24 month period, the village probably would have rebated about $2 million back to our residents."

Railroad Crossing Quiet Zones

Village Engineer Will Nash told the board that the long-awaited quiet zones around the Canadian National railroad tracks is expected to begin by Nov. 1. No more horns along that line accept in cases where the conductor deems it necessary or in an emergency.   

Canadian National bought the  for $300 million in 2008, and over a two-year period reached voluntary mitigation agreements with similar terms with other villages and cities.

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