65.0°,
Mostly Cloudy No tax increase in village budget
Since coming into office, I have challenged all Village Departments to scrutinize and change the method in which the Village tax dollars are utilized. This restructuring demanded strict accountability including the reduction of expenditures and an increase of non-tax revenues across all levels of government. This process continues and has delivered a financially secure, efficient, and responsive budget, while maintaining the highest level of services (Police, Sanitation, Department of Public Works, Electric and Water) to all the residents of Freeport.
We’ve hired a record number of new police officers, bringing our police force to 107, the highest number in decades. That, along with our License Plate Reader program, has reduced crime in Freeport by 56 percent.
Even with the challenges presented by the global pandemic, economic development is flourishing in Freeport. The Sunrise Highway corridor is a perfect example: from Porsche to the Brand new Lexus Dealership, Freeport is shoring up its tax base.
Therefore, I am pleased to report that we were able to further reduce costs across the board and manage the mandated increases in pension, labor costs, bond repayments, property insurance, flood insurance policies, and reductions in federal and state aid – thus, keeping the tax rate increase at 0.0 percent.
As proposed, the tax rate for the average homeowner translates to a tax rate of $62.296 per $100 of assessed valuation. This budget represents the ninth consecutive year that our tax rate has not increased for village residents.
During these trying times, this budget strikes the proper balance between preserving village services while stabilizing the tax burden for a majority of village residents. I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who was involved in the budget process and wish everyone a healthy and Happy New Year.
Very truly yours,
Robert T. Kennedy
Mayor
Incorporated Village of Freeport
