The Riverside School District 96 board voted Dec. 18 in favor of a 3.4% property tax increase for 2024 to correct for inflation and cover costs for multiple spending areas.
The measure now proceeds to Cook County, which should decide by summer what the total tax increase will be.
No residents spoke at a public comment session at the board meeting regarding the measure, according to Jim Fitton, the district business manager.
“It happens every year and in every district,” Fitton said. “The increase isn’t as much as last year.”
The tax hike is smaller than the 5% increase requested in 2023, the virtual entirety of which was approved by the county, Fitton added.
The federal government sets the inflation rate, he said, and the district can’t ask for a tax increase that’s greater than that rate. To do so, as in the case of funding for a new building, for example, would require a public referendum.
“The funds are for everything we spend,” Fitton said, “funds for education, one for buildings and operations, one for transportation, and several others.”
The districts spans five schools in Riverside and Brookfield, including Hauser Junior High in Riverside.