Lauren Courtney

This strategic plan for Illini Bluffs Schools outlines key goals across student achievement and curriculum, programs and services, facilities, finance, and district and community relations. The plan aims to provide a comprehensive and innovative education for student success, develop and maintain robust community programs, ensure safe and optimal learning environments through timely facility management, utilize financial resources effectively for educational maximization, and foster strong engagement with families and the community as vital partners.

The board is recommended to approve the 2023 levy as presented. State and Federal funding are scheduled to either flatline or decrease. Unpredictable CPPRT receipts. According to Dave Ryan, Peoria County Supervisor of Assessments, the EAV is projected to increase by 5%. The increase in EAV is due to increased property values. The proposed levy incorporates a 6% increase in EAV for the capped levies and a 5.25% increase in EAV for the uncapped levies. The proposed levy requests $398,755 in new funds, excluding the bond and interest levy.

The presentation covers 3-year financial projections and the 2025 property tax levy, focusing on revenue sources, declining enrollment trends, and evidence-based funding. It addresses operational deficit scenarios, revenue and expenditure assumptions for 2026-2029, and year-end operating fund balances. Key takeaways include projecting operational deficits, limited revenue growth, and the impact of salaries and health insurance costs. The presentation also includes the recommendation to maintain the current tax rate, historical data analysis, EAV estimates, auditor recommendations on non-capped levies, and budget needs for the 2025 levy.

The board is recommended to approve the 2024 levy as presented. The proposed levy incorporates a 6.5% increase in EAV for the capped levies and a 5.75% increase in EAV for the uncapped levies, following the auditor's recommendation on amounts to levy for IMRF, Social Security, and Tort. The proposed levy requests $480,992 in new funds, excluding the bond and interest levy.

The recommendation is for the board to approve the 2021 levy as presented, with included notes in the levy summary document. The tax levy is a request for a specific dollar amount to help partially fund various programs and operations. The Board will have to approve a levy by the end of December (2021) for tax monies that will be disbursed to the District from the County Clerk's Office starting next summer (2022). The money received from the levy will be used to fund expenditures for the FY23 budget. The recommended 2021 levy requests do not exceed 5%.