Frequently Asked Questions

Water Billing

1. How many days to I have to pay my water bill after it comes?
2. How often will I receive a water bill?
3. Why is there a “minimum bill” even if you use no water?
4. Do I receive a break (on the sanitary sewer portion of my bill) during the summer for watering my lawn?
5. Is there a convenient way to pay my water & sewer bill?
6. What if I suspect I have a water leak or the water meter is not accurate?
7. Am I assessed penalties if I don’t pay my water bill on time?
8. What if I am planning on being out of the area when my water bill normally comes?

Concerning My Residence

1. What do I need to do about my water bill when I am getting ready to sell my home?
2. Do I need to register my pet(s) at the Village?

Making a Donation in the Name of Some Individual

1. Who do I call and where do I sent money if I want to make a donation to North Park in memory of someone?

Real Estate Taxes and the Budget

1. Why is the Village property tax so high?
2. How much is that "2% to 3%" is actual dollars?
3. What does the Village use that money for?
4. What percentage of the property tax do the businesses in the Village pay?
5. What percentage of the money collected by the Village goes toward police protection?
6. How much does the Village derive from traffic fines each year?
7. How much does the Village collect from all taxes?
8. Is the Village required to balance its budget each year?
9. When is the annual budget done and can the public attend meetings and give their input?
10. Where can I obtain a copy of the budget?

Other Related Finance Questions

1. Where can I register to vote?

Water Billing

1. How many days to I have to pay my water bill after it comes?
Water bills are normally mailed out the first business day of the month and are due 15 business days later.

2. How often will I receive a water bill?
Residential customers are billed quarterly and commercial customers are billed monthly.

3. Why is there a “minimum bill” even if you use no water?
Even if you use no water you will receive what is called a “minimum bill.” Even without consumption the water (and sewer) pipes must be kept in proper functioning condition 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 12 months a year in order to be ready for the instant when one has use for those services. The men and materials required in maintaining that immediate service level does cost money. Those expenses must be jointly shared between all potential users. A minimum bill is calculated by assuming 4,000 gallons usage in each of the 3 months in the quarter.

4. Do I receive a break (on the sanitary sewer portion of my bill) during the summer for watering my lawn?
You may. If your summer water usage is 10% over your average winter usage you will automatically receive a summer sewer credit on the difference. The amount of the credit will be noted on the bottom of your bill. The summer sewer credit period runs from May 16th through September 15th . Your winter average is calculated from September 16th through May 15th.

5. Is there a convenient way to pay my water & sewer bill?
Yes. The Village uses an automatic withdrawal plan that you can sign up for. Call the Finance department to ask for details of this plan.

6. What if I suspect I have a water leak or the water meter is not accurate?
You can call either the Utility billing section in the Finance Department or the Public Works Department. The Village can schedule a meter reader to come out to inspect your property and/or your meter(s).

7. Am I assessed penalties if I don’t pay my water bill on time?
A 10% late fee is added to all water bill payments not received by the due date.

8. What if I am planning on being out of the area when my water bill normally comes?
You should call the Finance department (utility billing clerk) and make plans to pay in advance, or you can enroll in our automatic withdrawal plan.

Concerning My Residence

1. What do I need to do about my water bill when I am getting ready to sell my home?
As soon as your closing date has been scheduled, call the Water Billing Department to set up a final water bill reading. The reading will be scheduled 3 to 5 days before the closing. The final water bill must be paid before the buyers of the property can come in to purchase real estate transfer stamps. These transfer stamps must be brought to the closing. Without a paid final water bill from the seller and purchase of real estate transfer stamps from the buyer, the deed will not be recorded. Therefore, it is imperative that the seller set up this appointment as soon as the closing date has been scheduled.

2. Do I need to register my pet(s) at the Village?
Pets do not have to be registered in the Village.

Making a Donation in the Name of Some Individual

1. Who do I call and where do I send money if I want to make a donation to North Park in memory of someone?
You can call Kimberly Jurco at 847.913.2360. Donations to North Park can made out to the "Village of Lincolnshire".

Real Estate Taxes and the Budget

1. Why is the Village property tax so high?
Actually only a portion of your bill goes to the Village. Approximately 2% to 3% of your property taxes goes to support the Village's operations. It has been in this range for the approximately the last twelve years. A residence having a market value (the assessed value is one-third that amount) of $380,000 will pay a property tax of approximately $7,400 (year 2000 rates). From that amount, the school districts receive approximately $5,200 (or 70%). The Village receives approximately $140 dollars. Also, other taxing districts (Fire, Library, County, and Township) receive their apportioned share.

2. How much is that "2% to 3%" is actual dollars?
That is approximately $450,000 each year.

3. What does the Village use that money for?
It goes to support the two pension funds (police and non-police employees) the Village has for its employees. The Village is required to match employee contributions according to State law.

4. What percentage of the property tax do the businesses in the Village pay?
The Village businesses contribute approximately 35% of all property tax money.

5. What percentage of the money collected by the Village goes toward police protection? (vehicle patrols, traffic control, E911 emergency center, community education, etc)
Approximately 9% of the total Village budget is spent on police(public safety) activities.

6. How much does the Village derive from traffic fines each year?
The Village takes in approximately $315,000 annually.

7. How much does the Village collect from all taxes?
Approximately 80% of revenues in the General Fund come from taxes. Sales tax, state income tax, utility taxes, and room and admissions taxes amount to two-thirds of all taxes received. Licenses and fees, traffic fines, state grants, and investment earnings contribute to the remaining 20% of revenues.

8. Is the Village required to balance its budget each year?
Yes. In some years, though, bank loans and/or withdrawals from cash reserves are needed to balance the budget. During those times a huge capital project (for example, North Park) exceeds the revenue that can be brought in.

9. When is the annual budget done and can the public attend meetings and give their input?
The budgetary process starts in July and is approved in December of each year. The Village holds public meetings and the public is always encouraged to come and contribute their input to the proceedings.

10. Where can I obtain a copy of the budget?
The budget is available online. A copy is also available at the Village Hall and at the Vernon Area Public Library.

Other Related Finance Questions

1. Where can I register to vote?
You can register to vote at the Lincolnshire Village Hall where Finance personnel can register you. You can also go to the Township Building in Prairie View or the Lake Count Clerk's office in Waukegan.