DeKalb County Treasurer (and current Club President) Becky Springer gave updated numbers on county tax billings, collections, and investments during this week’s meeting. Springer also announced that she was chosen as Treasurer of the Year for her region of the Illinois County Treasurer’s Association. She praised the knowledge of her staff, efficiency through technology, and a strong focus on customer service for the positive recognition of her office. From a technology standpoint, she noted that the county utilizes property and assessment computer software provided by DEVNET, a national company based in Sycamore.
Springer says her office sends out approximately 41,000 property tax bills, but she's quick to point out that the actual levies do not have anything to do with her work. Tax levies are a product of each taxing body’s revenue request combined with property value as established by the township assessor and county assessor. Last year her office collected about $302 million in taxes. Springer noted that there are multiple ways for people to pay their taxes. These include payments at the Treasurer’s Office in Sycamore, at local banks, on-line payment through the county website, and even credit cards. Springer also noted that 1,310 county taxpayers have enrolled in paperless billing, saving the county the cost of printing and mailing their bills.
Springer said that she has been able to increase interest income on money coming into the county and held until the next distribution date to taxing bodies. Over the past 30 years, this amount has totaled $36.6 million. $15.9 million of this amount has been earned since she took office in 2021. Last year, Springer said she earned $4,999,867 in interest, which comes back to help lower taxes.
There are several exemptions to ease the tax burden on homeowners, according to Springer. The Homestead Exemption lowers a homeowner's equalized assessed value by $6,000. The Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption reduces the equalized assessment by $5,000 for those aged 65 or older. There is also a Senior Citizen Assessment Freeze if household income is under a qualified amount, plus exemptions are available for those with disabilities or veterans. Details are available through the Treasurer’s website at www.DeKalbCounty.org/departments/treasurer-collector.