New Lenox Park District Approves 2025-2026 Tax Levy Ordinance

New Lenox Community Park District Board Meeting | Nov. 2025

Article Summary: The New Lenox Community Park District Board of Commissioners formally adopted its annual tax levy ordinance following a public hearing. The board also declared surplus property and abated debt service taxes during its November meeting.

Park District Financial Key Points:

• Levy Adoption: The board unanimously approved Ordinance #25-11-01, establishing the property tax levy for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.

• Tax Rate Context: Commissioner Mark Ott noted that despite an increase in the tax rate, 10-year comparison charts show trends that highlight the district’s efficiency with a limited tax base.

• Debt Abatement: Trustees passed Ordinance #25-11-03, abating taxes levied to pay for the Series 2023B General Obligation Park Bonds.

• Surplus Property: Ordinance #25-11-02 was adopted to declare currently owned property as surplus and authorize its disposal.

The New Lenox Community Park District Board of Commissioners on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, secured the district’s funding for the upcoming year by adopting its annual tax levy ordinance.

Prior to the regular meeting, a public hearing was held at 6:00 p.m. regarding the Property Tax Levy for Fiscal Year 2025-2026. With no questions or comments from the public, the hearing was adjourned, and the board proceeded to vote on the measure during its regular session. Ordinance #25-11-01 passed with a unanimous roll call vote by President Ted Schulz and Commissioners Mark Ott and Dale Larson.

During committee reports, Commissioner Ott discussed the levy in the context of the district’s long-term financial picture. He highlighted tax rate increases shown in 10-year comparison charts, noting that while the trends might not be preferred, they underscore “how much we do with so little tax base.”

In other financial actions, the board approved an ordinance to abate taxes related to the 2023B General Obligation Park Bonds, effectively preventing that specific debt service cost from being passed on to taxpayers for the 2025 tax year.

The board also heard a presentation from Kevin Bissell of Cherry Bekaert, LLP regarding the fiscal year 2024-2025 audit. Bissell reported that the district achieved a certificate for rigorous review and that the financial statements were presented fairly in all material respects.