Arlington Heights residents speak up against possible tax hike
Arlington Heights officials want to tack on another $46 to the average resident's tax bill.
That's too much, according to residents who addressed trustees at Monday's meeting.
A standing-room-only crowd of more than 150 people railed against the increase and questioned how the village spends its money.
"I'm retired and you're asking for $46 here, and someone else is asking for $46 there, and I don't have it," said Tony Campo, who has lived in Arlington Heights for 35 years. "Give us a break. Vote against this."
Because of the outcry, trustees delayed voting on the 2009-2010 tax levy and asked Village Manager Bill Dixon to find ways to trim the total levy.
"Clearly you've sent a message this evening," said Village President Arlene Mulder. "We live here, too, and now the recession is here, but the minute we cut a service, if we don't fix some streets, we will get e-mails and phone calls."
Dixon will report back to the board Dec. 8, and the board will vote on the levy again Dec. 15. The proposed tax rate and levy for their May 1, 2009, to April 30, 2010, fiscal year budget.
Like most suburban municipalities, Arlington Heights will plan on spending more than it takes in during the 2009-10 year. Projected revenues in the general fund are about $62.1 million while expenditures are $64.6 million, according to Thomas Kuehne, the village finance director and treasurer.
The levy includes an additional $300,000 that will help pay for nine new firefighters the board approved hiring in 2007. A federal grant paid for 80 percent of the firefighters' salaries in the first year, but the grant drops by 20 percent each year until the fifth year, when the village will pay for the entire $1.1 million cost of the salaries.
Gradually, part of the levy increase will pay for the firefighters' salaries, according to village officials.
"My wife and I are doing more with less," said Angelo Campanella. "We don't have the luxury of raising taxes and neither should this board. I'm asking the board to do what's right."
Another resident, Kate Leipprandt, said the board should be sympathetic.
"We understand we are all in a worldwide economic downturn, but it is not the time to raise prices or taxes," she said. "The people can't bear it."
A few residents said the board should consider laying off the newly hired firefighters. Others suggested cutting funding for items such as sculptures or the annual ChristkindlMarkt celebration.
Trustee Tom Hayes defended those expenditures.
"Those are the things that make Arlington Heights great," Hayes said. "Do you want to sit at home an just watch TV or do you want to go out and enjoy your community?"
The vast majority - or about 80 percent of the village's budget - pays for employees' salaries and benefits. The village's portion of a resident's total tax bill is about 10 percent. The library fund consists of about 5 percent.