Batavia has home rule; now, what will it mean?

Batavia assumed additional authority this week, and now has to decide what to do with it.

First on the mayor's list: Instituting a program to license and inspect rental and multifamily housing.

"That's the thing most attractive to me at the moment," said Mayor Jeff Schielke.

The state certified Batavia as a home-rule municipality, since its population has crept above 25,000. The Illinois Constitution grants that power. Home rule gives a town more abilities to regulate things and raise revenue.

Among the things Batavia can do now, if its leaders choose:

• Tax gasoline sales.

• Raise property taxes by more than the Consumer Price Index rate of inflation, as it now is not subject to the property tax cap law.

• Borrow a little more than $1 million without have to get voter's approval.

• Institute a tax on the transfer of real estate.

"I guess I'm not thinking beyond the multifamily," Schielke said. He intends to ask city staff to study rental licensing and inspection programs in Aurora, Elgin and West Chicago to come up with a proposal.

As for raising or instituting taxes, "I'm of the opinion, personally, that now is not the time to do it, given the status of the economy and everybody's personal finances," Schielke said.

City staff, however, in presenting the 2010 budget, did list a property tax increase as one of the options to bring in more money and stave off a budget deficit.

Schielke said he expects the city council to talk about home-rule powers in the next few weeks.

Batavia officials are concerned about the status of rental housing, especially at three apartment complexes. Residents have complained that two are havens for criminal activity, and the police department reported in 2008 that calls for service are picking up at the third. Residents have also complained that rental houses and duplexes, mostly in the central part of town, are not kept up and have troublesome tenants, leading to lower property values for neighboring houses.

With home rule, the city could require landlords to obtain a license, and inspect the inside of the units.

Residents could remove Batavia's home-rule status by referendum.