Another 2 cents per gallon in Belvidere?

Above is from:  http://www.rrstar.com/news/20180629/belvidere-may-tax-gas-consumers-2-cents-per-gallon

Belvidere could use its home rule authority for the first time to raise taxes

By Susan Vela
Staff writer

Posted Jul 2, 2018 at 9:57 PM Updated Jul 2, 2018 at 9:57 PM

BELVIDERE — Belvidere City Council may use its home rule authority for the first time to raise taxes if it approves a 2-cent-per-gallon gas tax this month, Belvidere Mayor Mike Chamberlain said.

Created by the Illinois Constitution in 1970, home rule is a series of powers that give cities with more than 25,000 people greater local authority to govern and tax. Belvidere has been a home-rule community since its population tipped 25,000 for the 2010 Census.

The 2-cent gas tax is one of several options the city has been studying to raise money to address its infrastructure costs and rising police and fire pensions.

“We’re in the business of serving the majority of the community to the best of our ability,” Chamberlain said after Monday’s City Council meeting, when aldermen conducted a silent reading of an ordinance that would implement the 2-cent tax. “A gas tax is a user tax. If you don’t use a lot of gas, then you don’t pay. It’s a matter of trying to find how to raise revenue without affecting people who can least afford it.”

City officials estimate the gas tax would cost the average driver purchasing 20 gallons of gas per week an additional $21 per year. The measure would raise about $200,000 to $300,000 more a year for “basic governmental services” including fire protection, law enforcement and public works.

June 29, 2018

Further discussion could happen at Council’s 6 p.m. Committee of the Whole meeting on Monday. A final vote is expected on July 16.

Two Belvidere residents who addressed the City Council on Monday had different opinions on the proposed tax.

“Any money you make from this, a lot of it’s going to come from out-of-towners stopping for gas here before they get in the suburbs where its 30 cents higher,” John Enright said. “We don’t know how good we have it. Add the two cents. Spend the money wisely. And that’s my two cents’ worth.”

Shirley Mills said she can afford the gas tax. She’s not sure about others.

“I just think there are a lot of people that, regardless of how small it is, they just can’t afford to have any more taxes,” Mills said.

According to AAA, the average gas price across the nation on Monday was $2.86 per gallon, compared to the $2.94 average in Illinois, $2.82 in Wisconsin and $2.85 in Indiana.

Above is from:  http://www.rrstar.com/news/20180702/belvidere-could-use-its-home-rule-authority-for-first-time-to-raise-taxes