Home rule gives village too much taxing power

Because of home rule, the village of East Dundee, with a population of 3,200, spends and taxes as if it is a city of 25,000-plus. Trustees recently enacted a trash tax, costing each household $250 per year.

Trustees increased property taxes 13 percent in 2017, well beyond PTELL (tax cap). The village will collect $640,000 in property taxes in 2018, but has annual payroll in excess of $3 million. The village is also contracted to pay over $2.7 million in annual debt payments.

Debt issuance by non-home rule communities is limited by state statute to 8.625 percent of EAV; approximately $10 million for East Dundee.

With home rule powers, East Dundee has secured $33 million in debt obligations.

Home rule allows trustees to raise property taxes without limit and to impose new taxes on businesses, services, parking, groceries and nearly everything else. All without voter approval.

Instead of looking at realistic options having minimal impact on residents to pay debt obligations, the Board threatened residents with a 300 percent property tax increase.

East Dundee will have the option of raising sales taxes after Home Rule is repealed. It will simply have to follow non-home rule tax caps, and it must ask permission from voters.

The village owns approximately 50 properties. Some parcels are in prime residential and commercial locations and can be sold to fund debt payments. The board could also cut its budget and reduce full-time employment numbers.

There are options to pay debt obligations without a 300 percent property tax increase, but the village has shown repealing home rule is not about the residents. The village wants to maintain control and keep the taxing, spending and debt powers out of the hands of voters.

Vote yes to repeal home rule in East Dundee.

Kelly Liebmann

Wonder Lake