Just clarifying for Catherine.
Terry
Riverside Info » About Riverside
Understanding the Tax Cap Law in Illinois
(13 posts)-
Posted Thursday Dec 21, 2006 09:35 #
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Thank God for the tax cap law. I remember annual double digit tax increases by local governing bodies that merely had to raise the tax rate each year to spend whatever they wanted. It was always easy and popular to say "yes" to every good [and bad] spending idea and just adjust the tax rate to pay for it. A non home rule community can ask for a referendum to raise the tax rate for anything, specific [tunnel at the train station] or not [more $ for general fund]. A few years ago the village was crying "wolf" about our finances, with the village manager saying how "scary" things would be if their tax referendum wasn't passed. The referendum failed because a few people took the time to see a village budget that certainly contained waste. One item was the contemplated purchase of new chairs for the village board at a cost of $15000. I suspect waste still exists in our budget, but will not accuse the village of it pending a review.
Posted Sunday Dec 24, 2006 12:55 # -
Lonnie, I agree the village budget is something that requires close scrutiny. The 2007 one is up on the village website. I will repost lengthy link if you cannot find it. If the argument for the TIF is that we need to generate additional revenue for, most pressingly, infrastructure improvements, it does beg the question of what we are spending money on now. If the budget is sound, and we do need more money, where will it come from?
I am appalled by the chair example. What is our procurement process and if it brings forth this result, what will be the process by which these TIF monies will be let?
Posted Tuesday Dec 26, 2006 11:05 #
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