Naperville having second thoughts about gas tax increase, garbage fee

The Naperville City Council is rethinking some of the proposed tax increases that will be on tonight's agenda.

Councilmen spent five hours scouring the budget in a workshop Monday and found there is a $1.7 million surplus in its vehicle replacement fund that it can put toward its budget deficit if it so chooses.

The city has been working to close the remaining $4.5 million of what was once a $14.1 million shortfall for the upcoming fiscal year that begins May 1.

The proposal on the table for filling the city's budget gap calls for adding 3 cents to the current 2-cent-per-gallon gas tax, which would generate $2.1 million. It also calls for implementing a $3.50 monthly fee for garbage collection that would generate $1.68 million.

The third component to the revenue plan is to divert money collected from the 1 percent citywide food and beverage tax to the city's general fund. That money currently funds Special Events and Cultural Amenities grants.

Councilmen had previously reached an informal consensus to divert 25 percent of the revenue in the first year - giving about $750,000 to the general fund - and 50 percent of the revenue the following year.

During Monday's workshop, it appeared the majority may support moving 25 percent the first year and then re-evaluating the situation.

Some councilmen also are calling for just a 2-cent increase in the gas tax.

Councilmen will continue to discuss the revenue issues when they meet at 7 p.m. today. However, some expressed interest in tabling a vote on at least at least part of the revenue proposal until a future meeting in light of the new information.