The DeKalb City Council approved a raise in the maximum tax levy Monday, reflecting an increase in total city-assessed property values.

The total Equalized Assessed Valuation of DeKalb property rose 15.4 percent in the last year. This will add about $165,000 extra to the nearly $3 million expected annual total tax levy.

“What we’re saying is the rate is the same. The assessed value has gone up, whether it’s new value or whether it’s a reassessment of some people’s homes,” said Mayor Greg Sparrow.

The tax rate will be kept at 62.97 cents per $100 EAV.

Fifth Ward Alderman Bessie Chronopoulos said someone in her ward was concerned about the increase. She wanted to make it clear that the raise in the levy simply follows the assessment increases.

“I can understand very clearly how people can get it misinterpreted,” Chronopoulos said.

The vast majority of the added revenue will go to increases in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund, Social Security funds and state-mandated city police and fire pension fund increases.

The council voted to accept the Wyatt Company actuarial valuation of police and fire pension funds based on the Illinois pension code.

City Manager Mark Stevens said the actuarial figures were preferable to the Illinois Department of Insurance figures, which were double the amount Wyatt figured for both the police and fire minimum contributions from the city.