From Peoria County’s website:
Peoria County Board Approves Sales Tax Referendum for April Ballot
At a special board meeting earlier this evening [Jan. 27], the Peoria County Board approved the following resolution to place a referendum on the Consolidated General Election ballot this April that asks voters to raise the county’s sales tax rate by 1/4 of 1% to help fund public facilities. If approved by the electorate, the sales tax increase would be applied on retail sales of non-titled goods and would be the equivalent of twenty-five cents (25¢) for every $100 purchased. The referendum includes a sunset clause setting the tax increase to expire twenty (20) years from its effective date of January 1, 2010. Money collected from the increase would be used to help fund construction of the Peoria Riverfront Museum.
Peoria County’s role through the April 7, 2009 consolidated election is not to advocate for or against the passing of this referendum, but rather to educate the public on the sales tax increase and its intent. County Board Members Andrew Rand and James Dillon will host an informational town hall meeting on March 9 at 6:30 p.m. at Bradley University’s Baker Hall Auditorium, Room B51. More information regarding this town hall meeting will be forthcoming.
The resolution is available for download here: www.peoriacounty.org/county/files/get/Jan09PRMrefe.pdf
For more information regarding the referendum, please call County Administration at (309) 672-6056.
I’m especially intrigued by the statement, “Peoria County’s role through the April 7, 2009 consolidated election is not to advocate for or against the passing of this referendum….” Does that mean that they will publish the pros and cons of the sales tax, the way the State published the pros and cons of holding a constitutional convention? Or does it mean that they will give multiple opportunities for the museum to sell the supposed benefits of the tax increase (without any counterargument offered) under the pretense of “providing information”?
Oh wait, I think I have the answer to that question:
Town Hall Meeting re Riverfront Museum Financing
Peoria County Board Members Andrew Rand (District 4) and James Dillon (District 7) will be hosting an informational town hall meeting regarding the Peoria Riverfront Museum and a county-wide temporary sales tax referendum at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, March 9 at Bradley University, Baker Hall Auditorium B51.
Jim Richerson, CEO of Lakeview Museum, will explain the Museum Project, and Erik Bush, CFO, County of Peoria, will explain public and private financing efforts. Scott Sorrel, Assistant to the County Administrator, will present as well. The intent of this town hall meeting is two-fold: to raise awareness of the Museum Project and to educate the public about a county-wide sales tax referendum that will appear on the Consolidated General Election ballot this April. All interested persons are encouraged to attend.
Nope, no advocacy there.
Friends of Build the Block
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: Build The Block Referendum
On April 7, 2009, Peoria County voters will have an opportunity to vote on a referendum to support the Peoria Riverfront Museum and help Build The Block. To help you make an informed voting decision, below are answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
Why is The Block so important to our community?
• The Block is poised to be one of the most important developments in our history, annually drawing an estimated 360,000 visitors and infusing an estimated $7 million to $14 million into our local economy.
• The Caterpillar Experience, a world-class attraction, will not be built unless the museum is fully funded.
• The 25-month construction phase of The Block will create our own economic stimulus package, generating more than 250 local union jobs each month and $1.8 million in monthly labor payroll.
• The Block will provide an investment in our present and our future with hands-on learning and entertainment for people of all ages.
What is the referendum for?
The referendum is for a Peoria County sales tax increase of 0.25% (a quarter of 1%) to pay for public facilities. The tax will close the gap for public funding needed to Build The Block.
How long will the tax be assessed?
The tax would begin on January 1, 2010, and will be assessed for no more than 20 years to pay off museum bonds issued by Peoria County.
How much will the sales tax be?
The tax would equal 25¢ on every $100 spent on select purchases. The tax would be assessed at Peoria County restaurants, Peoria County hotels and on non-titled, non-food retail goods. Titled goods such as boats, cars, or property will not be taxed.
How does Peoria County sales tax compare with neighboring counties?
• Peoria County sales tax would increase from 0.25% to 0.50%
• Current Tazewell County sales tax: 0.50%
• Current Woodford County sales tax: 1.0%
What should I look for on the April 7 Peoria County ballot?
Only one referendum will appear on the ballot. Below is the referendum text. The language of the referendum will not mention the Peoria Riverfront Museum, but rather “public facility purposes.”
To pay for public facility purposes, shall Peoria County be authorized to impose an increase on its share of local sales taxes by 0.25% for a period not to exceed 20 years?
This means that a consumer would pay an additional $0.25 in sales tax for every $100 of tangible personal property bought at retail. If imposed, the additional tax would cease being collected at the end of 20 years, if not terminated earlier by a vote of the County Board.
What happens if the referendum does not pass?
The Block won’t have sufficient public funding to proceed. The project will lose all of the public and private funds already pledged ($67 million), as well as the Caterpillar Experience.
CJ: How about you call the posted number and see if you can get on the agenda too?
For God’s sake vote NO! NO MORE WHITE ELEPHANTS!!!! NO MORE BOONDOGGLES!!!
They say that if the referendum does not pass, the project will “lose all of the public and private funds already pledged ($67 million), as well as the Caterpillar Experience.”
So two questions then: (1) Where would that $67 million go? That sounds like a mini stimulus package right there.
And moreover (2), if the referendum fails (and I’m voting no on the referendum myself), what happens with the block? I’d be interested to see what other plans people could have for two blocks of prime downtown real estate.
It’d make a great parking lot for downtown events but then that wouldn’t earn much if any revenue – oh wait, neither would the museum (in actuality).
Say it with me – MONEY PIT!
MONEY PIT!
Yep, Vonster, that’s what it will be. Even if they find the money to build it, it will need continuing and substantial subsidies because admissions won’t begin to pay the costs of maintaining the facility. Speaking of white elephants, what is the current deficit on the Gateway Building?
Sterling… you really think if the referendum fails this is a dead project? Silly.. this is Peoria.
Watch that big fattening stimulus bill in Congress….
http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/01/27/stimulus.restrictions/
I think Congress is saying no to the idea that museums stimulate the economy.
BeanCounter,
Congress may be saying no, but what is Schock saying? Local politicians seem to be on this museum bandwagon as well.
Still trying to figure out how this museum will generate 7 – 14 million in our economy.
Think of the biggest ‘draws’ to Peoria……
Civic Center, Hotels, Motels……? What about events? I am only guessing now, but I would say that IHSA Basketball is the biggest attraction Peoria has going for it. The large youth soccer tournaments add to that. With events like these, and here’s hoping the city/county powers that be don’t do something stupid, we can rely on a consistent stream of revenue. Yes, I know the IHSA is supposed to be collaborating with the museum, but come on…..even if all the players, moms and dads visit the exhibit this year, do we really think they are going to visit it again next year?
Point: Cost to the city of Peoria vs. the economic return of these sports events?
Cost to the city and county of Peoria vs the economic return of…..what?
That would be cost to the city AND county of Peoria vs. the economic return of the museum in mention…….
From what I’ve read, the current stimulus package in Congress is mostly for “shovel-ready” infrastructure projects, and I think the PRM is far from shovel-ready.
Just remember, considering “pro” is the opposite of “con”, what’s the opposite of Progress?
Is there a unified and recognized(recognizable) group that is against this? How do you present the “cons” when there is no organized opposition? Maybe Bob Manning would be willing to lend his voice to a “no” campaign. Blogs aren’t going to cut it — there are only 100 of us that read them.
peoriafan:
Please remember Tazewell and Woodford Counties sales is not being contributed to the funding of the PRM. Perhaps their sales tax is used for more ‘essential’ county services? There is no city tax rate in these counties.
NV: Glad I made the list that we are on the same of this issue — the Vote NO side. Also, there is a website to report abuse from the link that Beancounter left.
Mouse: Did you miss that their figures now reflect an increase in admission price from $1.50 to $4.00 and increase the students from 16,000 to 19,000? Shouldn’t that help?
Let’s generate some ideas to Sterling’s question:
(1) CJ previously wrote about a more urban designed museum at a lower cost with some mixed use and the CAT experience.
(2) Bob Manning suggested a CAT HQ move.
Other ideas? What could be done with the block — there must be other ideas.
Sud: There is an unified group being formed. You can send your contact information to: buildabetterblock@yahoo.com.
Ca we just fix some sidewalks first?
the increased admission price will help depress the number of admissions, Karrie. Economics 101, price goes up, demand goes down.
Mouse: Glad that you confirmed the overly optimistic projection analysis.
Karrie,
Whatnow? Get it? Please say yes…………………
Interesting. The little poll the J Star is taking on museum vote has the NO voters ahead almost 2-1.
Perhaps my idea to hire thugs is working.
YES!
We’ll just see how charitable Peoria families will feel towards a museum if they start closing their highschools. Seriously.
Addition to Karrie’s site. Space has already been booked for one and perhaps two fact finding forums. As opposed to the forum at Baker Hall, this forum will be open to questions and answers.
It there any evidence that CAT will proceed with it visitors’ center? Though it may have the funds set aside for this project, I can’t imagine it would offer them up at this time given the downturn in the market.
I have had mixed feelings about the musuem to date, but continuing to push this project when times have time become so difficult is distasteful.
Can someone provide a link to the PJStar.com poll? I can’t find it?
http://www.polldaddy.com/poll.aspx?p=1319598
Thank you.