Truth in Taxation Meeting - Wednesday November 4 2026

Edgar County, Illinois, held a Truth in Taxation meeting on November 4, 2026, to explain the county’s proposed property-tax levy increase, reported as 9.49%, and hear public comments. Board members described rising costs for liability insurance, Social Security, retirement obligations, staffing, and road and bridge funding. They also reported that the courthouse elevator is failing and estimated the least expensive repair at $700,000–$800,000; the expense was not fully included in the budget, and borrowing was raised as a possibility. Residents questioned spending, staffing, tax burdens, and the need for budget cuts, while officials discussed the limits imposed by restricted funds and state matching requirements.

Procurement-related discussion included the county’s insurance coverage: the current insurer, Liberty, had considered dropping the county but provided a bid after policy and risk-management work; the county was also awaiting a quote from a prior insurance trust. For employee health insurance, two companies were initially willing to bid, but only one submitted a bid. No contract award or spending motion was made, and no vote on the levy occurred during the hearing; officials said they would continue reviewing revenue and insurance information before the levy decision later in the month. Participants also urged further review of costs and suggested postponing the decision for the incoming board, but no such action was recorded.