By Steven Stilt
The Kaskaskia College Board of Trustees on Monday approved the college’s 2024 tax levy, for fiscal year 2026. The levy is projected to generate just over 12 and a half million dollars of KC’s estimated $55 million budget for FY 2026, with the rest of the budget to be funded by tuition and fees, grants and other sources.
KC President George Evans notes that while the levy request is driven by an expected increase in equalized assessed valuation in the district’s primary counties, the actual tax rate is decreasing from the prior year’s levy.
“This year, we obviously pay attention to what’s going on in our district,” Evans said, “which is why we elected not to capture the full amount of the levy, to stay at 4.99 percent, which roughly leaves about half a million dollars on the table. We are very fiscally responsible, and we only went after the funds that we feel that we need to continue our operations.”
College officials estimate that the 2024 tax rate will be 50.48 cents per $100 of assessed valuation.
In other action, the board approved the purchase of a truck for the KC Police Department. The 2025 Ford F150 will be purchased from Morrow Brothers Ford of Greenfield at a cost of $59,202.
Board members also voted to accept the resignation of Shannon Wagner from the police department, effective November 30th. Evans says the college intends to replace Wagner with another sworn officer.
The board also accepted the resignation of Quinton McGuire as buildings and grounds technician.
Also during Monday’s meeting, Evans commended the organizers of the annual KC Winter Gala, which took place on November 16th on the main campus in Centralia.
“It was a capacity crowd here, out at the college. It was the first time we’ve hosted it at KC, a lot of compliments from the members who haven’t been on campus in many years. It was a good night for KC. I think every county was represented with individuals from their various aspects of government, chambers, mayors. It was really good to see those people show up and support us.”
Evans reports that the gala raised $73,000. Proceeds from the annual event benefit the KC Now program, which allows high school students to enroll in college courses at a reduced cost.
