The Charleston City Council could place an ordinance on file for a $3.8 million tax levy for the next fiscal year at the city council meeting at 7:30 tonight.

The city will also make a decision on a resolution that would give the Revolving Loan Fund over to Coles County Regional Planning and Development and ordinances for the Ridge Estates subdivision placed on file from the last city council meeting.

The tax levy is based on estimated figures of the equalized assessed evaluation, which gives the total value of all properties in Charleston. The EAV estimates a 5 percent increase in property value and more than $5 million in new construction to come on the tax rolls as a result. Solid figures may not be available until April or May of next year, said Mayor John Inyart

“This isn’t necessarily the amount taxes will raise,” he said. “Last year we levied a 9 percent increase. But overall, because of the way the increase in the EAV came out, the tax rate only increased by half of 1 percent.”

Inyart said by ordinance, the city has to propose the levy ahead of the numbers, thus estimations are imperative. If the city does not levy over the amount, he said it could lose money in tax revenue from the new construction projects.

The amount is kept at the consumer price index.

Also on the agenda is the resolution to give the Revolving Loan Fund to CCRPD. The fund is a loan program provided by the city for local businesses to expand or retain new hires.

“Over the years, the paperwork requirement has continued to grow,” Inyart said. “I think that is why we are deciding to hand it over to the county.”

The council will also have to re-approve the annual agreement with CCRPD to provide technical assistance services. Generally, the county aids the city in research and reporting of items that need immediacy and expertise outside Charleston’s resources, Inyart said.

The 50-lot subdivision called Ridge Estates will be taken off file for approval after no public concerns were observed. The subdivision contracted by RichSmith Development is to be constructed east of University Village.

After approval, it will have to return to the Board of Zoning Appeals and Planning, and to the council before construction starts.

In other business, the city will decide on: the 2009 Emergency Operations Plan, which makes the 1994 plan compliant with NIMS from Homeland Security; the pension report that was made in conjunction with the new tax levy outlining the way to gage funding obligations with specifics regarding fire and police pensions; the execution of new health insurance agreements, making the city have a self-insured program; and the concept plan for an independent senior living center called Villas on the Prairie near Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center.

Krystal Moya can be reached at 581-7945 or at ksmoya@eiu.edu.