GALENA — Galena voters will decide Nov. 3 whether to approve a four-year, 2-mill property tax levy that village officials say would help fund operations and future public safety improvements.
Delaware County Auditor George Kaitsa estimates the levy would generate $192,942 annually, costing property owners $70 per $100,000 of market value.
That means the owner of a $500,000 home would pay $350 annually.
The levy would begin in tax year 2026, with payments first due in 2027.
“This levy has been place for at least 30 years. It comes up every four years for renewal, and it’s not an increase of any kind,” Galena Mayor Jeff Kinnell said.
“I have no interest in raising taxes for village residents,” he added.
Funding future safety improvements
The renewal collects money that goes into the village’s general fund, supporting staffing and day-to-day operations.
However, Kinnell said he and council have openly discussed directing some of that funding for safety and security needs.
That includes upgrading buildings to be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act and slowing the speeds on the village’s two main roads, Harrison and Walnut Streets.
The village also wants to establish a fund to save for dedicated policing services, Kinnell said.
“To preserve these funds allows us to move toward those goals. If we want dedicated policing, we have to save toward that because it’s very expensive,” he said.
Currently, the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office provides law enforcement services to the village.
If voters reject the levy, Kinnell said the village would have less funding available to pursue those improvements.
Galena also collects a 1% municipal income tax.
