Des Plaines aldermen favor making 2-cent-per-gallon gas tax increase permanent
A majority of Des Plaines aldermen favor making a temporary 2-cent-per-gallon gas tax permanent.
The city tax was increased from 2 to 4 cents in 2009 to help pay for capital improvements, and last year, aldermen agreed to keep it for one more year, with its expiration expected Dec. 31, 2014.
But during budget discussions this week, aldermen voted 5-3 in a straw poll to keep the extra tax indefinitely.
However, they also voted by the same margin to allow a storm sewer fee to expire as planned at the end of the year. The fee is 33 cents per 100 cubic feet of water used.
City staff proposed some $2.6 million in infrastructure work be funded by keeping the extra gas tax, and most of the storm sewer fee. Officials now plan to prioritize those projects since they all can't be funded.
Fifth Ward Alderman Jim Brookman said he proposed the sunset clause for the gas tax increase so aldermen could revisit the issue and see if concerns were validated: whether businesses would suffer and if revenue projections were accurate.
He said he didn't think the extra tax had a negative impact on gas stations, which offer a variety of prices throughout Des Plaines. In fact, the Speedway on Touhy Avenue is expanding.
Eighth Ward Alderman Mike Charewicz said he favors the tax because many non-Des Plaines residents who come off the tollway are helping pay for city projects.
"Although it's hard on the gas station owners a bit, it's the least hard on the residents because it is spread out among everybody who buys gas driving through Des Plaines," Charewicz said.
First Ward Alderman Patty Haugeberg added that aldermen agreed to allow some gas station owners to sell liquor in their convenience marts to compensate for the gas tax.
Nick Genaris, owner of the Citgo gas station at 1733 E. Oakton St., told aldermen that some gas stations have closed since 2009 for a number of reasons, including the city gas tax. It's hard to compete, he said, with gas stations in nearby DuPage County, which has lower taxes.
"We don't have bottomless pockets, so you try to adjust your price to keep your customers," Genaris said. "That has become very difficult."
Aldermen Jack Robinson, Denise Rodd and Mark Walsten voted against extending the tax.
On the storm sewer fee, Brookman said it was proposed as a way to accelerate stormwater projects, but then sunset after three years.
"It was clearly stated from day one in this case," he said. "There's no end to what we can spend in this city on infrastructure projects, but there's got to be a balance of living within our means."
Aldermen Charewicz, Walsten and Dick Sayad supported keeping the fee at either 25 cents or 33 cents.