News

Tax levy time for District 186

Tax levy time for District 186

Photo: Saga Communications


Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – When District 186 board members meet Dec. 1, they’ll vote on a proposed $129.4 million tax levy.

The district’s business manager, Steve Miller, presented his numbers to the board Monday – a 4.5 percent increase from the current year’s levy. The key, he said, is to ask for more money than you expect, because you will not get more money than you ask for.

“Our revenue comes from three sources: local, state, and federal,” Miller explained. “Our property taxes are our local revenue sources. They represent almost fifty percent of our total district budgeted revenues, so a majority of our revenues come from here.”

Separately, Miller fielded a question from board member Debi Iams about progress toward knocking down the current year’s $17 million deficit.

“We haven’t been able to identify any potential cost savings at this point?” asked Iams.

“We are currently working on that as a cabinet,” answered Miller. “We’re starting to look at where we can make some cuts. We always want to make cuts away from the classroom as much as possible, but we have a lot of cuts to do as well.”

Recent Headlines

21 hours ago in Entertainment, IL State News, Local, National

Affable comedy acting legend Dick Van Dyke turns 100 years old

FILE - Dick Van Dyke poses with chimney sweeps during arrivals to the 40th anniversary and re-premiere of Mary Poppins at the El Capitan Theatre in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2004. (AP Photo/Ann Johansson, File)

Van Dyke was born in West Plains, Missouri, in 1925, and grew up “the class clown” in Danville, Illinois, while admiring and imitating the silent film comedians.

2 days ago in Trending, World

King Charles III says his cancer treatment is being reduced as he promotes benefits of screening

King Charles III said Friday that early diagnosis and treatment will allow doctors to reduce his cancer treatment in the new year as he encouraged others to take advantage of screening programs that can detect the disease early when it is easiest to treat.

2 days ago in Sports, Trending

Sherrone Moore charged with stalking, home invasion after being fired as Michigan football coach

Fired University of Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore "barged his way" into the apartment of a woman with whom he had been having an affair and threatened to kill himself after she reported the relationship to the school and he lost his job, prosecutors said Friday.

2 days ago in Lifestyle, Trending

Experts share their top tips to save money this holiday season

From gifts to travel plans to grocery shopping, costs can pile up and become overwhelming, especially in a difficult economic environment. Holiday shopping can bring joy, but it's important to stick to a budget and avoid going into debt, said shopping expert Trae Bodge.

2 days ago in Entertainment, Music

It feels good to be Jelly Roll. And now, he’s ready to win a Grammy

This week, Jelly Roll was invited to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry. And last month, he learned that he was nominated for three Grammys in 2026, marking his third year in a row receiving nods. Two of those are new territory for him.