D86 Digest: Board Delays Action on Commercial Tax Appeals

The Board of Education this week delayed action on a pair of proposed resolutions that would establish parameters for the district to intervene in appeals of commercial property tax assessments before the Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board (PTAB).

One resolution would authorize the Chicago law firm of Scariano, Himes and Petrarca to intervene in PTAB commercial appeals if a successful appeal would reduce the assessed valuation by $100,000 or more. The other resolution, offered by board member Dr. Richard Skoda, would rescind the law firm’s authority to intervene in such cases on the board’s behalf. However, the board would reserve the right to intervene in commercial appeals on a case-by-case basis.

“I think we need to get some control over what our lawyers are doing,” Skoda said.

He said those appealing assessments are often in the right.

Skoda also questioned why the district was footing the entire legal bill for successful interventions when other government entities, such as villages and forest preserve districts, also reap the benefit.

“If [an appeal] really looks like a major problem, we can talk to some of these other entities,” he said.

Board President Dennis Brennan suggested there may be a legal requirement that the board designate a specific law firm to handle PTAB appeals. Board members decided to hold off on acting on the resolution until that question is clarified.

Camera and tripod donation endorsed

The board reached a consensus to accept the donation of a camera and tripod from the Hinsdale Central PTO for the purpose of streaming meetings online. The matter had been tabled the previous week so that board members could gather more information on the potential cost to the district of hiring a camera operator for meetings.

Superintendent Dr. Nicholas Wahl said that might cost the district $1,000 per year. He said the other option was setting the camera up in a corner and letting it catch whatever it could.

Board member Jennifer Planson expressed support for putting the meetings online.

“It goes toward a goal of being more transparent,” she said.

“I want to make sure if we do it, it’s effective,” board member DeeDee Gorgol said.

“It’s very important to man the camera,” board member Kay Gallo said. “I think it’s better than what we have now.”

Skoda wondered if knowing that they were being recorded for a webcast might intimidate some residents, keeping them from expressing their opinions to the board.

Brennan said it might have the opposite effect, attracting more residents to address the board.

“It’s reality TV all of a sudden,” he said.

No board members expressed a desire not to accept the donation.

“I don’t hear much objection, so we bring that back for acceptance next meeting,” Brennan said.

Financial planning calendar draws discussion

Business manager Jeff Eagan presented the board Monday with a calendar noting the key dates in the development of the district’s budgeting process.

Board member Dianne Barrett asked when the district usually began contract negotiations with the teachers’ union, suggesting perhaps the process could begin sooner.

Wahl said the district typically waited for the teachers to make their initial demands.

“I would just like to see that as a priority item,” Barrett said.

Gallo asked if Barrett if she wanted to begin negotiations before the CPI (Consumer Price Index) was known, which Wahl said usually was about Jan. 15 each year.

Eagan was asked if there was any indication of what the CPI might be for the next year.

“I’ve heard projections, but nothing solid,” he said.

Skoda asked if the district’s tentative budget, which comes out in June, could be put online.

“It just makes it easier for somebody to comment on it,” he said.

Wahl said the administration would be happy to put the tentative budget online.

“I think it should be brought back as an action item,” board member Michael Kuhn said.

Gallo suggested that perhaps the tentative tax levy also should be put on the district website.

The board will consider adoption of the financial planning calendar at its next meeting.