Two taxes; one an overall property tax levy proposed to decrease and a hotel/motel tax proposed to increase will be on the Galesburg City Council agenda tonight.
Last week, City Manager Todd Thompson outlined the levy decrease which would drop 2.54 percent. For the average $68,000 homeowner, that would mean paying roughly $25 less per year.
Thompson said he made that proposal based off discussions with various aldermen, but after some questioned why, he said he would be fine with keeping the levy the same as in 2016 if that was the consensus.
Meanwhile, the hotel/motel tax increase would be earmarked for the Galesburg Promise scholarship program. According to council documents, the tax would increase from 9 percent to 10.8 percent, equaling $124,000 in additional annual revenue . It is being proposed to increase, due to increased demand in the program.
Both taxes are on first read tonight. A public hearing to discuss the levy and budget will be held November 21 before council plans to accept an FY 17 budget December 5.
Council meets tonight at 6:30 p.m. inside City Hall.
