Here’s an interesting postscript to the library referendum vote. The last time the idea of a property tax increase was floated was in 2003 when some city council members suggested it to eliminate the dreaded garbage fee. At that time, the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce had this to say (according to City of Peoria minutes from 11/25/2003):
Ms. Roberta Parks, 124 S. W. Adams, Suite 300, Chief Operating Officer of the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce, requested that the Council vote against a property tax increase. She said a property tax increase would send a negative message to the business community and it made it more difficult to encourage business expansion and attracting new business to the area.
But this year, during the library’s push for a property tax increase, the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce endorsed that tax increase.
The inconsistency is especially surprising when you consider that, if we were to raise property taxes enough to eliminate the “garbage fee,” which actually has nothing to do with garbage but rather pays for police patrols and general deficit relief, it would cost $36 more annually on a $100,000 home. If the City Council passes the library referendum, which would update some branches, close a couple in south Peoria and build a new branch in north Peoria, it will cost $50 more annually on a $100,000 home.
Did you catch that? Eliminate garbage fee = +$36/year for $100,000 home. Library referendum = +$50/year for $100,000 home.
Does the Chamber think that increasing taxes for police protection will hurt business, but increasing taxes for libraries will help? What message are they trying to send?
Updated 4/30/2007
This is what I have been saying all along. They would not raise property taxes but instead created the Garbage Fee. Now, they will raise property taxes to cover a Library.
1. It is hard to raise the property tax and generally people hate that.
2. Making up some stupied fee is easy. It is even easier to raise that fee a few bucks, much easier than raising the propert tax. Watch and see, I still say the Garbage Fee will be increased.
“…which actually has nothing to do with garbage but rather pays for police patrols and general deficit relief…”
wrong wrong wrong wrong wrong wrong. this tax goes into the general fund and pays for lots of things. it pays for police, garbage pickup, public works, fire, etc. the money was never specifically earmarked for anything
supporters of it SAID it was for police, litter, and other stuff but that is semantics and spin
bottom line, the no-good council put in a new tax. end of disucssion. they called it a garbage collection fee that went to police, litter and other stuff, but thats all tax-and-spend rhetoric to get people to like the idea.
C.J., I’m glad to see that you are truely unbiased in this piece. I know that you have been a supporter of the library referendum, so it is good know you are not afraid to report the FACTS as they are.