#1 in 2022 – Manteno Village Board Approves Property Tax Reimbursement Plan

No one likes paying property taxes but, when Manteno decided to offer reimbursement of property taxes to homeowners, the plan became very popular online. Although Manteno has more than 9,000 residents, just under 2,000 actually applied for the reimbursement.

By Stephen Nelson

The Manteno Village Board, at their February 22 meeting, voted to establish a Tax Reimbursement Account for homeowners that will mean residents of single family, owner-occupied homes will pay no local property tax this year. The ordinance account will be funded by surplus funds generated by the recent sale of Manteno’s Wastewater Treatment Plant by the village.

In introducing the measure for a vote, finance committee chairman and trustee Joel Gesky noted that in the past the village created Tax Increment Financing Districts, to provide tax relief for businesses, and it was time to do the same for residents.

Mayor Tim Nugent said the reimbursement will be limited to owner-occupied homes. Rental properties will not qualify.

“Residents will be required to pay their tax bill in full, as usual,” said Nugent.  “Then after the final installment is paid, property owners will be able to apply for the rebate of their taxes by filing a simple form at village hall.”

The final installment of taxes is due in early September. Nugent stated the application period will run for six weeks, from mid-September to the end of October. He reported rebate checks will be in residents’ hands by December 1.  Nugent added the expected tax savings for residents will be in the range of $500-to-$650. He also commented that the village should be able to provide a 100 percent local property tax rebate to residents for at least a few years.

In other business, the date of this year’s Polar Plunge was announced. The annual event will is on March 5, at Manteno Sportsmen’s Club, 851 S. Main. Registration will take place March 5, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., with the plunge at 2 p.m.