NAPERVILLE, Ill. (STMW) – Gasoline and garbage are likely to cost a little more in Naperville depending on how the City Council votes this week, and the council will continue to review city employee benefits and staffing in an effort to cut costs.
The City Council is expected to vote at its Tuesday meeting on proposed new tax hikes in an effort to close the remaining $5.5 million gap in the city’s budget.
The three revenue-generating ordinances include:
• A increase to the motor fuel tax from 2 cents per gallon to 5 cents per gallon.
• The creation of a $3.50 refuse fee for garbage collection added to residents’ monthly bills
• A change in the food and beverage tax that would divert 25 percent of funds collected to the General Fund instead of the Special Events and Cultural Amenities Fund for the upcoming fiscal year. Beginning the following fiscal year, 50 percent of funds would be diverted to the General Fund.
All of the changes would be implemented May 1, the start of the city’s fiscal year.
Two of the changes, the hike in the motor fuel tax and the moving of funds from SECA to the General Fund, were met with protests at the council’s previous meeting.
The council is expected to approve the taxes and fees but is set to revisit them in two years. The city estimates the combined revenue generated by the three taxes will be $4.5 million, leaving a $1 million gap in the budget for fiscal year 2011.
The council will also be voting on and discussing a number of items relating to the city’s workers.
Employees of the city may be subject to an increase in their health insurance premiums. A resolution to be voted on will increase employee contributions from 10 percent of premiums to 15 percent.
Following the council workshop Feb. 22, the council is set to revisit the subject of pension reform and decide on a course of action for lobbying Springfield to make changes to state pension system. The council will consider joining the Pension Fairness for Illinois Communities Coalition at a cost of between $1,000 and $10,000 to pool lobbying efforts.
The city cannot make direct changes to pensions for fire, police, or municipal employees because they are protected by the Illinois Constitution. Also on the agenda, the council is expected to approve temporary weekend overnight parking at three parking decks downtown.
The Naperville City Council will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the council chambers at the Naperville Municipal Center, 400 S. Eagle St.
Read the original article from WBBM News Radio.
Distributed via Chicago Press Release Services