City Council Minutes 1986 07-10-86 (public hearing) MINUTES OF THE PUBLIC HEARING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE UNITED CITY OF
THE VILLAGE OF YORKVILLE, KENDALL COUNTY, ILLINOIS HELD AT CITY HALL ON
JULY 10, 1986, AT 7: 00 P.M., FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE PROPOSED INCREASE
IN THE UTILITY TAX RATE FROM THE CURRENT 4% TO THE PROPOSED 5% .
Alderman Hayden, Chairman of the Finance Committee called the Public
Hearing to order .
Present were Mayor Davidson, Clerk Erickson, Alderman Small,
Alderman Pfister , Alderman Jennings , Citizens Jerry Groner and
Jack McEachern, and members of the Press representing the Kendall
County Record and WSPY .
Alderman Hayden opened the hearing stating the proposed utility
tax increase from 4% to 5% was due to the loss of approximately
$30 , 000 per year from revenue sharing, and that this is the only
tax that would take effect immediately to relieve the cash flow
problems .
Mr. Groner spoke of the 1979 referendum where it was voted unanimously
to reduce the utility tax. The city council at that time voted to
reduce the tax by 1%. He stated that the citizens had asked to have
the tax removed not increased .
Mr . McEachern of Wayne Circuits in Fox Industrial Park made his
statements as a businessman in Yorkville , one who pays a large
percentage of the utility tax as well as water rates of the total
Yorkville usage . He urged the City Council to be aware that
prospective businesses look at the taxes when looking to locate
in an area. He also asked that the Sunset provision be attached to any
increase , allowing it for only a specified amount of time before it
went back to the original rate .
Alderman Hayden responded that several cut-backs have already been
made , and there didn ' t seem to be any more other than cutting back on
personnel .
Alderman Radke arrived .
Mayor Davidson stated that Plano is now involved in a study to enact a
5% utility tax . They have none to date . He further stated that the
utility tax is one tax that can be controlled ourselves. The utility
companies are requesting that we hold off until January 1st to coincide
with their fiscal year .
Alderman Small stated he had assumed that all the surrounding towns
already had utility tax imposed on them.
Alderman Pfister stated that there will be $ 12-17 , 000 more in real
estate taxes to be received , due to the tax structure change .
Alderman Jennings stated he feels it is one of the fairest taxes around
as you only pay for what you use . He doesn ' t see it as generating
the amount of income that would be of help to the situation at hand .
He feels the working cash fund should be used until the next budget is
there to view.
Treasurer Huston arrived .
Alderman Hayden then closed the public hearing .
CITY CLERK