New Lenox homeowners may pay more in property taxes to the village next year, but as in years past they may get a good portion of it back.

Village trustees Monday approved a property tax levy of $3,086,038 to fund a portion of the pension benefits and Social Security taxes for village employees. The village relies largely on sales taxes, state income taxes and other fees to fund the remainder of its $45 million budget.

The levy represents a $115,566 increase over the property taxes collected in 2020, finance director Kim Auchstetter said. Roughly $50,000 of the increase will come from new property developments, she said.

For the past 10 years, trustees have rebated a portion of the property taxes homeowners pay to the village. Earlier this year, homeowners received rebate checks for 85% of their property taxes paid in 2019, Auchstetter said.

Last month, trustees approved a 50% rebate for property taxes paid this year. Trustees said they could not rebate the higher percentage because of a decrease in sales tax revenue due to restrictions placed on businesses because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The rebate, which will be paid out in about March, should be about $150 for the owner of a $350,000 home, Auchstetter said.

Rebate applications were mailed out to residents and are due Dec. 31. Rebate applications can also be found at www.newlenox.net.

Trustees Monday also reviewed a proposal for a Gas N Wash gas station at the southeast corner Route 30 and Walona Avenue, the site of the former Walona Motel. The development would include a gas station with diesel pumps, a car wash, a convenience store and a drive-through restaurant.

A handful of residents who live behind the proposed gas station expressed concern about their water wells as well as noise levels and traffic.

“It’s going to cause us, as community members, a lot of trouble,” said Nathan Chamberlain, whose home in unincorporated New Lenox is behind the proposed development.

Trustees asked Gas N Wash owner Len McEnery to review residents’ concerns and return with an updated plan. McEnery Tuesday said he plans to address the questions raised and hopes to return to the Village Board in January.

“We’re going to make some changes,” McEnery said Tuesday.

Alicia Fabbre is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.