Elk Grove Township residents don't need new tax

Tim Burns is continuing his personal crusade to raise taxes on families he claims to be helping.

According to the Daily Herald, Mr. Burns recently filed a petition to place a referendum on the November ballot for the residents of the Elk Grove Township Rural Fire Protection District. If a judge approves the petition, residents in this district will vote on whether to create a library district (and a new tax) which would in turn contract with existing libraries for service.

This is an ill-advised solution that is looking for a problem. There already is a process for unincorporated residents to acquire library cards, a straightforward pay-for-service arrangement. Under this arrangement, unincorporated residents get to choose whether to purchase a library card. Burns instead wants to force residents and businesses to pay taxes for a library that many will not use.

Mr. Burns claims that unincorporated residents are clamoring for library cards and he is speaking for them. The reality is that not one of them circulated petitions supporting his effort. Only one person collected petitions - Mr. Burns - who does not live in unincorporated Elk Grove Township.

Finally, I must address his comments that most taxes in manufactured home communities are paid by landlords or park owners. This is his attempt to cover up that residents here will be hurt financially if this new district is created. In reality, park owners will pass the cost of increased taxes along to the residents.

I hope this petition is denied. If not, I encourage all Elk Grove Township Rural Fire Protection District residents to vote it down.

Unincorporated residents should get to choose whether to pay for a library card. If they cannot afford one, please contact me at the township. We can find solutions without new taxes.

Michael Sweeney

Supervisor

Elk Grove Township