In today’s article about the Peoria County Finance Committee’s meeting regarding the proposed museum, I was struck most by this line:
Roberta Parks, chief operating officer of the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce . . . said the chamber at this point doesn’t have a position on whether it would support a sales tax or property tax to help fund the museum.
I wish I could figure out any rhyme or reason to the Chamber’s endorsement or non-endorsement of tax increases. They supported the library referendum, which would add “$50.00 a year in increased property taxes per $100,000 of assessed valuation or EAV.” But they don’t support the City of Peoria raising property taxes $10.00 a year per $100,000 of EAV to pay for police or fire protection. And now, they have no opinion on a whether to support a plan that would increase property taxes by $22.00 a year per $100,000 of EAV to pay for a downtown museum.
The only answer I can come up with is that they make these decisions by asking a Magic 8-Ball: $50 for libraries? “It is certain.” $10 for basic services, like public safety? “My reply is no.” $22 for a museum? “Cannot predict now.”
Does the Chamber have any credibility? “My sources say no.”
Would Peo County Board decision [or lack of] be based on public response to Library vs. response to Museum? I am thinking most people [icluding Richerson] believe that the majority do not want public funding for museum, if they want the museum at all. How did public react to library proposals??????
Excellent point CJ, it had to be somewhat embarrassing for Ms. Parks to stand in front of the County Board Finance Committee and endorse the Museum project, but then have to admit the Council doesn’t know if the public should pay for a portion of it or knot.