Winnetka fee and tax increases means hundreds more per resident

Winnetka homeowners will see an uptick in their property tax and municipal services bills next year as the village’s 2025 budget grapples with “the reality of the economy.”

Village trustees during their Tuesday, Nov. 19 meeting approved introduction of several ordinances and resolutions related to the town’s 2025 annual budget and property tax levy. Officials will consider formal adoption of the village’s budget at their Dec. 3 meeting. 

Winnetka’s 2025 budget is operationally balanced, meaning that annual operating expenditures are paid for by annual operating revenues, said Tim Sloth, the village’s finance director. 

The village’s budget totals $94.25 million, a decrease of 7.6 percent from last year because of decreased capital spending following the completion of the village’s stormwater storage project, according to Sloth. 

The capital portion of the budget allocates just under $23 million for major initiatives next year, including work on roadways, sidewalks and trails, stormwater infrastructure, downtown revitalization, electrical utility and more. 

According to village documents, the 2025 budget will result in an approximately 5.4 percent increase in costs for municipal services for the typical Winnetka homeowner. 

Electrical rates are proposed to increase 7.2 percent, resulting in residents paying just under $19 more per month, or about $225 annually, according to Sloth, who added that the increase is dedicated to providing capital requirements. 

Water rates will increase about 10 percent and will fund water main replacements and anticipated lead service line replacements in 2025. That increase will result in an approximate increase of $118 on a $1,181 annual bill, per village documents. 

The proposed increase for sanitary sewer rates is 4.9 percent, an annual cost bump of about $23 for residents while a slated 3.5 increase in residential refuse service will result in about $16 more annually. 

Winnetka’s proposed property tax levy will generate $16.29 million, according to Sloth. That number is an increase of $540,820, or 3.4 percent from last year. 

Per Sloth, the typical homeowner will see property taxes paid to the village increase by about $7 a month or $85 annually. 

Winnetka has maintained tax levys since 2005 that have been less than the state tax cap laws, Sloth said, noting that cumulatively since 2005, the village has levied $23.4 million less than the tax cap.  

The village also recently had a stretch of nine consecutive years without raising the levy but reportedly faced “no choice” when compiling the budget this year. 

“We do not take the idea of raising taxes very lightly at all,” Village President Chris Rintz said. “It’s always a struggle because we did go for nine years running without raising the levy, but the reality of the economy and nine years of finding every nook and cranny we could to save money, we have no choice at this point, especially with the requirements on public safety and the continual burden of pensions.”

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