The community of DeKalb may have to pay higher property taxes next year if the city council approves the property tax levy at today’s meeting.

Linda Wiggins, director of administrative services, said a property tax is a tax that communities and units of local government assess based upon individual properties.

The tax goes toward paying for fire and police departments, pension plans and Social Security.

The current rate for the DeKalb property tax is $.61 per $100 of property. The rate will rise to $.63 per $100 if the council approves the tax levy.

“The problem is, it’s cumulative; it’s more than just a couple of cents,” 5th Ward Alderman Pat Conboy said.

The increase would mean an additional $17 per year on a piece of property worth $150,000.

Wiggins said she has been dealing with the property tax for many years and doesn’t see the community having a problem with it.

“Only a handful of people have shown up at the meetings and complained,” she said.

Conboy said he doesn’t think many people will show up for the city council meeting to voice their opinions.

“I wish people would go, but there is generally not a lot of public impact on these types of issues,” he said.

Wiggins said the rate of the property tax changes every year, depending on two factors.

“The rates change depending on the overall value of the community and how much money will be needed for pension,” Wiggins said.

Wiggins said even though the rate possibly will rise, it still is low compared to other cities.

“The rates are very low here because we rely on the sales tax,” Wiggins said.

If the property tax levy is accepted by the city council, it will have to be filed by Dec. 30, and the community would start paying in May.