The City of East Peoria is keeping its annual property tax levy amount unchanged, representing a slight drop in the tax rate, for the next fiscal year.
“The good news is this city council has supported, at least for the last six years as this body has sat, that we’ve done whatever we’ve could to maintain, if not even lower, the city tax rate,” said commissioner Mark Hill.
“When you consider new properties coming on the tax roll and the appraisal values given to us from our taxing assessment supervisor in the county, that we’ll end up — as last year — have a decrease in our overall tax rate.”
The city council on Tuesday voted unanimously, with one absence, to approve keeping the estimated amount collected for 2026 at $5.9 million, which equates to a rate reduction of 0.069%.
“I’m happy that we’re able to do what we’ve done, and I think that we’ve been very fortunate in this city,” said commissioner Dan Decker. “I think that not only have we been fortunate, I think the future looks very bright for us.”
This is the second straight year East Peoria has held its levy amount flat, as the city has strived to minimize residents’ property tax burden for decades.
“For 25 or 26 years, we did what was ‘rate equivalent.’ The last few years we’ve done what we’re doing here tonight,” said Mayor John Kahl, noting residents likely still will see their overall property taxes increase, as East Peoria accounts for just a fraction of what people pay.
“We’re one of 10 taxing bodies right here in East Peoria, one of 10. If you were to pull out your property tax bill, you’ll see what’s called ‘East Peoria corporate’ — that’s the city’s portion,” said Kahl. “It literally represents 11.5% — I’ll say it again, 11.5% — of your overall property tax bill. That’s it.”
Hill pointed out that East Peoria operates on an annual budget that exceeds $90 million, so a large majority of the city's revenue comes from sources other than property taxes.
The council’s action marked the levy ordinance’s first reading; formal second reading approval is expected at the Dec. 16 meeting. The city’s annual levy must be filed with the Tazewell County Clerk by the last Tuesday in December.
Other business
The four voting members in attendance also unanimously approved a five-year contract with Axon in the amount of $385,400 for interview room recording equipment at the city’s new police station, as well as a Taser 10 equipment bundle to replace an expiring contract.
The contract covers installation, equipment costs and licensing to place the cameras in the new station’s five interview rooms, and the booking and jail areas.
The police department secured a $21,600 reimbursement grant from the Illinois Law Enforcement Alarm Systems to offset a portion of the cost for six new tasers. Additionally, Axon provided a $10,000 trade for the older tasers.
The council also approved annual renewals for property, casualty and liability insurance coverage and workers’ compensation coverage. The city’s annual premium for property, casualty and liability coverage increased $93,000 to $787,300, while the workers’cCompensation premium was reduced by $68,000 to $230,700. The annual cyber liability premium is just under $25,000.
Prior to the regular meeting, the council held a one-hour working session for an update on development of East Peoria’s 2045 comprehensive plan.
