La Salle County taxpayers stayed away in droves from Monday's hearing for the county tax levy hearing.

Not one citizen of the few who may have been present for the "truth in taxation" public hearing raised any questions about the County Board's proposed 16 percent increase in next year's tax levy from $21 million to $24 million.

County Board Finance Committee Chairman Tom Ganiere, D-Ottawa, explained as he had on earlier occasions and twice more to satisfy Board Member Randy Freeman, R-Lostant, property owners will not see an increase in their county taxes unless their property is reassessed.

The tax rate will remain at 93 cents per $100 of equalized assessed property value, Ganiere said.

He said the sole reason for the levy increase is to include the anticipated increase in the equalized assessed valuation of the Exelon nuclear power plant in Brookfield Township.

The levy passed by a 20-4 vote. Voting against the increase were Republicans Stephen Carlson of Mendota, Sandi Billard of Oglesby and Arratta Znaniecki and Susan Thornton, both of rural Ottawa.

Thornton, the County Board's newest member who was appointed in September, said her vote was based on "fiscal responsibility."

"I know what they say, but I'm just at a point here where I'm not trusting what they say ... I just think we have to learn to live within our means, our budget – that's what the taxpayers want: no more taxes.

"My gut feeling is 'no.' "

In other business:

• A special use permit was granted for the erection of 100 wind turbines in Otter Creek and Allen townships for the creation of the Otter Creek Wind Farm. The wind farm will be owned and operated by Iberdrola Renewables, Inc., a division of the Spanish electrical utilities firm of Iberdrola, S.A., the world's largest wind farm business.
• Funding was authorized for half the cost of two township culverts: one in Manlius Township at 2600 N. 28th Road with an estimated total cost of $35,000 and another in Miller Township at 3510 East 27th Road with an estimated total cost of $25,000.