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Tax cap vote fails in Woodford County
By J.W. Shults
jwshults@mtco.com
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EUREKA - A tax cap proposal failed for the fifth time in the past 10 years with at least two former supporters switching sides.

The Woodford County Board voted 9-5 against putting tax caps on the November 2008 ballot. Board members Tom Karr and Gary Joseph voted in favor the last time it was brought to a vote in late 2006, but voted against it this time.

Joseph said residents with taxation issues are better served by addressing them at the local level.

The Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (PTELL), commonly known as tax caps, limits taxing bodies to annual increases of 5 percent or the inflation rate, whichever is lower. According to the Illinois Department of Revenue, that inflation rate has ranged from 1.6 to 3.4 percent in the past 10 years.

Several school district officials spoke to the county board on Tuesday, urging members to vote against putting PTELL on the ballot.

Ken Maurer, superintendent of Metamora Township High School, said tax caps would limit the control his district has over its own budget as costs for education rise. For example, the costs of technology, fuel for buses and utilities for school buildings are rising at rate much greater than 5 percent.

District 140 vice president Ed Leman said residents dissatisfied with board decisions should run for office themselves.

"Get involved in your local government," said Leman. "Don't expect the county to fix your problems."

PTELL supporters also spoke at the meeting. Bob Huschen, a former county board member and current member of the Roanoke Village Board, said he has been involved locally, voicing concern about tax increases.

"Why should we go to meetings and break our butts when nobody will listen to us?" said Huschen.

Jim Irvin of Congerville said the board is responsible to put PTELL on the ballot for a vote, regardless of whether its supports the legislation.

"This isn't a vote about today," said Irvin. "It is a vote about tomorrow, about 10 years from now and having your children be able to afford to live in Woodford County."

Voting against putting PTELL on the ballot were Jim Fyke, Stanley Glazier, Gary Jones, Joseph Karr, Joel Lemkemann, Caroline Schertz, Ken Uphoff and Larry Whitaker. Voting in favor were Marcus Adams, Tom Evans, Tom Janssen, Pete Lambie and chairman John Krug.

Contract renewed -- Tomlinson Disposal was the successful bidder in renewing its garbage contract with the village of Roanoke. Tomlinson submitted the low bid of $7.50 per residential pick-up per month, an increase of 50 cents per pick-up over the current contract. The company's bid for commercial stops was $14, an increase of $1. Dumpster pickup will range from $25 to $65 depending on size. The total annual cost based on 815 residential pick-ups and 42 commercial stops will be about $80,406 up from about $75,000 under the current contract. Of the other three companies submitting bids, Grimm Brothers had the next lowest bid overall with an annual estimate of $129,366.

Tentative budget -- Roanoke-Benson School District's tentative budget for the coming year will practically mirror last year's budget. The district expects $5,356,739 in revenue and $5,679,793 in expenses for an overall deficit of $323,054. A big chunk of the projected deficit can be attributed to the district spending down its fire prevention and safety fund by $223,793 for mandated work.

With a total beginning balance of $1,883,753, the district expects to end the year in the black with $1,560,699.

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Reader comments on this story - 4 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

Woodford Pundit wrote on Aug 23, 2007 6:15 PM:

" I should add, as 'planner' well knows that insurance and fuel costs are microscopic costs compared to the real property tax eating items - salaries, benefits, and construction. "

PTELL wrote on Aug 23, 2007 6:08 PM:

" You may wish you had the opportunity to vote on PTELL after your taxes are raised anyway. "

Woodford Pundit wrote on Aug 23, 2007 4:20 PM:

" I love "Planner"'s logic. 'Force the taxing body to raise taxes' because they 'can't if/when there is an emergency. ALL THEY HAVE TO DO IS ASK the voters for the money in case of 'emergency'. What's wrong with that? As to 'forcing' a tax increase, first, that's a blatant disregard of the voters' intents and wishes (under a PTELL approved referendum) and second, that's a fine way to encourage and foster trust on behalf of a taxing authority, isn't it? I know it's done all the time - and it isn't right, nor is it remotely responsible. All it is, is an attempt to say to the voters, 'We'll show YOU how wrong this is . . .', while shooting themselves squarely in the foot. "

planner wrote on Aug 23, 2007 3:37 PM:

" all Tax Caps do is force the taxing body to raise taxes before they go into effect because they know they can't if/when there is an emergency. If insurance and fuel continues to rise more than 5% a year, expect to see a dozen ballot initiatives each year just so taxing bodies can keep up. "
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