Vote 'yes' for trash pickup in Tower Lakes

In Tower Lakes, voters on Feb. 2 are being asked to approve a tax to pay for garbage collection. While we hesitate to recommend any kind of tax increase in today's economy, the correct answer here is yes. This is a matter of paying now, or paying even more later.

The village needs money to pay its waste hauler to pick up trash and recyclables. Why is this an issue now? For the last several years, trash and recycling pickup has been paid with money collected through a 2005 tax. That money has been spent, and the coffers need to be replenished.

There's no doubt things are different now than five years ago. In 2005, the economy was strong. In 2010, we are struggling to pay our bills and keep our jobs. In 2005, the tax increase was a one-time expense. This 2010 tax would continue, getting a little bigger as property values increase. To start, the owner of a $500,000 home would pay about $170 more a year in taxes.

But if this referendum fails, it's very likely residents will be billed individually. And in the long run, that will undoubtedly be more expensive.

The village already has gone the extra mile to contain costs by establishing a centralized billing system and entering into a waste hauler agreement with neighboring villages; and 2005 was the last time village officials asked for any kind of tax increase. Despite the poor timing, this is one instance when a bigger tax bill will likely save you money in the long run.