CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
title
Receive the estimated 2026 property tax levies for special service area numbers 23, 25, 30, 31, 34, 35, and 36 and schedule a public hearing for December 15, 2026
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DEPARTMENT: Finance Department
SUBMITTED BY: Traci Marrocco, Interim Finance Director
BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW:
N/A
BACKGROUND:
If an estimated special service area (SSA) property tax levy is more than 105% of the tax amount extended for that special service area in the preceding year in any year other than the initial year of the SSA, state statute (35 ILCS 200/27-75) requires notice, compliant with the Open Meetings Act, be given and a public hearing held on reasons for the increase.
This agenda item includes the estimated levy for each of the City’s SSAs that will levy taxes in 2026 for the purpose of determining whether a public hearing is required for any of the SSAs.
DISCUSSION:
The City has seven SSAs that will levy taxes in support of the proposed 2027 annual budget. The chart below compares the final 2025 property tax extension and the estimated 2026 property tax levy for each of the SSAs.
|
Purpose |
2025 Final Extension |
2026 Estimated Levy |
% Change |
|
SSA #23 (Naper Main) |
98,940 |
98,939 |
0.0% |
|
SSA #25 (Lacrosse Lane) |
68,006 |
31,165 |
-54.2% |
|
SSA #30 (Downtown Streetscape) |
95,620 |
93,111 |
-2.6% |
|
SSA #31 (Downtown Streetscape) |
24,881 |
23,680 |
-4.8% |
|
SSA #34 (Downtown Streetscape) |
20,368 |
20,026 |
-1.7% |
|
SSA #35 (Downtown Streetscape) |
125,016 |
125,000 |
0.0% |
|
SSA #36 (Downtown Maint. & Marketing) |
1,259,779 |
1,423,489 |
13.0% |
One of the SSAs is estimated to levy more than 105% of the prior year’s extension, therefore, public notice and hearing is required. Additional details on the amount requested for each levy are provided below.
SSA #23 - Main Street Promenade
The 2026 levy recommendation is $98,939. The request is nearly flat from last year’s extension. This levy is utilized to provide a financing mechanism for debt service on the Naper Main parking facility based upon the existing economic incentive agreement.
SSA #25 - LaCrosse Lane
The 2026 levy recommendation is $31,165. The request is a decrease of 54.2% from last year’s final extension as a result the forecasts showing the SSA hitting its funding limit in 2027. The levy will contribute to the reimbursement of the City’s cost to install a traffic signal at Route 59 and LaCrosse Lane. The SSA was established in 2012 to finance the traffic signal over 15 years.
SSA #30 - Downtown Streetscape
SSA #30 was established to fund a capital project involving the design and construction of improvements to the streetscape in the Central Business District. SSA #30 includes the south side of Jefferson Avenue between Main and Webster Street, and both sides of Main Street between Jefferson and Jackson Avenue. Property owners will cover 40% of the expenses through the SSA levy over 12 years beginning in 2023. The 2026 levy recommendation is $93,111, which is slight decrease of 2.6% from last year’s extension.
SSA #31 - Downtown Streetscape
SSA #31 was established in 2019 as a mechanism to fund city-required streetscape improvements associated with the redevelopment of the property located at 41 S. Jefferson Avenue. The City reimbursed the property owner for the improvements and will recoup those costs, plus interest, through the SSA levy over 15 years. The 2026 levy recommendation is $23,680.
SSA #34 - Downtown Streetscape
SSA #34 was established to fund a capital project involving the design and construction of improvements to the streetscape in the Central Business District. Work included installing new sidewalks, curbs, and the parkway feature. SSA #34 includes the north side of Jefferson Avenue between Main and Webster Streets. Property owners will cover 40% of the expenses through the SSA levy over 15 years beginning in 2023. The 2026 levy recommendation is $20,026.
SSA #35 - Downtown Streetscape
SSA #35 was established to fund a capital project involving the design and construction of improvements to the streetscape in the Central Business District following new downtown standards. SSA 35 encompasses the east and west sides of Washington Street from Benton Avenue south to Chicago Avenue. SSA 35 will provide a financing mechanism to reimburse expenses for the property owners’ 40% portion of the project over 15 years, beginning in 2024. The 2026 levy recommendation is nearly flat at $125,000.
SSA #36 - Downtown Maintenance and Marketing
SSA #36 provides special municipal services to the designated area, including parking lot operations and maintenance; maintenance of the public parking garages; custodial services; sidewalk and parking lot snow removal; maintenance of landscaping; streetscape and street lighting; holiday lighting on parkway trees and buildings; sidewalk maintenance, including brick paver repair; special directional signage; and capital improvements. Property owners cover one-third, and the City covers two-thirds of the maintenance expenses. Additionally, the SSA provides funds for marketing, which are paid exclusively by the property owners. SSA #36 has a maximum tax rate of 2.5% per annum of Equalized Assessed Valuation (EAV) and will remain active through 2030. The 2026 levy recommendation for SSA #36 is $1,423,489, which is an increase of 13% over the previous year’s final extension, triggering a truth in taxation hearing for SSA #36.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This agenda item estimates the 2026 property tax levy for each of the City’s SSAs for purposes of determining if a public notice and hearing are required. A formal request to approve the 2026 property tax levy for each of the SSAs will be presented on December 15, 2026.