Cody Holt is confident that his two-year crusade to stop new taxes and establish a permanent property tax freeze will earn him a second at-large term on the Elgin Area School District U46 board.
He also hopes that a pro-taxpayer advisory referendum that he and fellow board member Jeanette Ward spearheaded will pass and send the message to his colleagues that local voters have had enough of living in one of the most heavily taxed counties in the country.
“Too many of my colleagues like to pay attention to the demands of the special interest groups,” Holt told the DuPage Policy Journal. “Too many of them hide behind the excuse they’re supporting increases for the good of the kids and the schools. It’ll be hard to ignore a referendum passing that says we want a voice before you raise any more taxes.”
Holt wants to rein in the board's ability to increase the district's tax levy. The question on the ballot for the voters of the village of Wayne will read, “Shall Elgin School District U-46 be required to seek voter approval by referendum prior to increasing its annual property tax levy?”
As the vote draws closer, he anticipates spending his time interacting with voters and making clear to them just how high the stakes are.
“For all those who’ve had enough, this is your chance to be heard,” Holt said. “If you’re sick and tired of all the runaway spending, this is your moment to lift your voice.”
By Holt’s estimate, the average Wayne taxpayer shells out approximately $14,000 annually in property taxes. He believes this growing burden is driving working families and seniors from their homes, and the only way to stanch the bleeding is to give voters more say on matters that impact them the most.
“Since I’ve been in office, I’ve been pushing back against tax increases, unfair budgets and unsustainable contracts,” Holt said. “What we need is a property tax freeze that finally gives the taxpayers in this region some much-needed relief.”
The U46 grad sees this election as the one that could make all the difference.
“My re-election and that of board candidate....Enoch Essendrop will give us the majority we need on the important issues,” he said. “With the support of board member Ward, we would be able to finally freeze the property tax levy district wide.”
Alerts Sign-up