Three people speak at a Mercer County Board Truth in Taxation hearing. The session held last night at the Mercer County VFW. Former County Board member Ted Pappas of Sherrard among those speaking.
The majority of last night’s hearing involved an approximate 1-hour presentation from the county board’s administrative consultant—Bruce DeLashmit from Bellwether. He says a state change in farmland assessment having an impact in Mercer County.
County Board Chairman Carlos Sarabasa of Aledo says there’s been much talk on social media about the issue and last night’s hearing proved to be productive.
The county board plans to levy just over $4.4 million in property taxes in 2018, which represents a 12.05 percent increase from 2017. The county’s proposed tax rate is going from $1.45 to $1.52 per $100 assessed valuation. The county board expects to take final action on the levy and tax rate next Tuesday.