Meanwhile, the increase in the tax levy by the City of Vandalia of 19.44 percent will mean an increase in your property tax bill—but maybe not as severe as you might think. Dale Timmerman pointed out that, if all the other tax levies stayed the same, the city’s increase would only result in an overall tax bill increase of 2.35 percent. The City of Vandalia gave an example, using Mayor Gottman’s 2014 tax bill of better than $3100. And, with the new levy, that tax bill would go from $3107.87 this past year to $3180.87 in the next year—an increase of $73. During the Public Hearing for the Tax Levy yesterday evening, in which no one from the community was on hand to voice any issues, several alternatives were brought up. Ward Four Alderman B. John Clark says he would like the city to look at possibly a utilities tax. One reason that would be desired is that would be for all citizens who pay for utilities and not just fall to property owners. It was also brought up for the possibility of a sales tax increase, but it was pointed out that would have to go before the voters—so neither was a solution for the issue at this time.