Machesney Park Mayor Won't Support Proposed Utility Tax

Machesney Park- A utility tax proposed by Machesney Park trustees has some residents angry. Opponents of the ordinance say it's written vaguely and that must change before the board votes again.

Machesney Park Mayor Tom Strickland says "this tax is so broad anybody that comes into this office and could use these monies for just about anything. It's not like the road tax where you have to use it for roads." 

Village Administrator Tim Savage says the tax is needed for infrastructure and operations. Savage explains "the primary identified use for the utility tax is to reconstruct roads, road maintenance and enhance policing."

The tax will also be used to develop industrial parks near I90. Strickland says "so that we can get businesses out at I90 like hotels and so on. Well that's fine I agree with that, but don't hurt the people doing it."

Residents and businesses will pay an extra 5% on their gas and electric bills. That comes out to around $8 dollars more a month. Strickland says the utility tax will create a trickle down effect, "once you start putting this tax on Target, all the rest of the stores in Machesney Park, they're going to pass this on to the end user, so you're going to pay more."

The new measure does not have to be passed through a referendum. Savage explains "several other municipalities in the area have this similar tax and it is simply a vote of the majority of the village board required to impose the tax."

Strickland says he does not support the tax as its written now and he won't sign it. Over the next two weeks the board hopes to revise the ordinance addressing the public's concerns.

The board will put the ordinance up for vote January 21^st at Machesney Park Village Hall. Residents are encouraged to attend and voice their opinion.