Life may take Visa, but Carpentersville doesn't

Now that the Carpentersville village board has approved enrollment in the state treasurer's online bill-pay system, residents may pay water and sewer bills and buy village vehicle stickers with a credit card -- except Visa.

The system, which also allows credit card payments by telephone, offers a service not currently available to residents at village hall -- the finance department only accepts cash, check or money order.

While the system may seem convenient, is using a credit card the best way for residents to pay for utilities?

There's a convenience fee charged, based on the total amount of the bill.

For a $25 village vehicle sticker, residents will be assessed an additional $1, while a $100 water bill will run you another $2.50.

It doesn't seem like much, but why not just slap a 41-cent stamp on the return envelope?

Another recent village board approval is the 2-cent per gallon gas tax.

With gas prices fluctuating as much as 20 cents from one day to the next, will a two-penny hike really burn a hole in your pocket?

Some board members argued the hike would hit motorists' wallets and then voted it down Tuesday night.

One resident spoke against the ordinance, misstating that the tax would cost her an added $2,000 a year if she drives 30,000 miles.

Trustee Ed Ritter quickly corrected the resident's math.

At 30 miles to the gallon, that's 1,000 gallons. At 2 cents per gallon, the total tax would be 2,000 cents -- $20 per year.

The village's need to repair streets and sidewalks, as well as water and sewer lines, outweighs the burden on motorists.

Wouldn't you rather help pay for smoother roads and sidewalks? Both could save you money if they keep you from paying for a new suspension if you hit a pothole or a hospital bill if you trip and break a wrist on the uneven sidewalk.

Far-fetched, I know, but so is the assertion that $20 a year will hurt consumers.

That $20 is also based on 30,000 miles per year, which is far greater than the number of miles the average motorists drives in one year.

It is estimated that the tax will bring in an extra $250,000 per year to help pay down a $10 million bond the village will likely take out before the summer to continue its capital improvement program.

The village's current bond repayment is estimated at $800,000 per year, said Village President Bill Sarto.

That means the village still needs another $550,000 to pay down the debt.

While there are other avenues to raise funds such as sales taxes and trimming down the village's budget, there's not much room -- or money -- to spare.

Can the village really afford to cut programs or institute a hiring freeze?

This is the fairest tax that won't only affect those who live in the village, but also those who are traveling through town, using the village's streets and roads.

• Larissa Chinwah covers Carpentersville, East Dundee and West Dundee. To reach her, call (847) 931-5722, or e-mail lchinwah@dailyherald.com.