Yes for Villa Park roads

Villa Park wants residents to approve a 0.5 percentage-point increase in its sales tax Nov. 2 to upgrade village roads and make the community more attractive for redevelopment. The increase would boost the sales tax rate from 7.75 percent to 8.25 percent and generate an estimated $1.3 million a year to repair streets that aren’t eligible for state or federal money. Officials say 22 percent of village streets are in fair to poor condition Kenilworth and Michigan avenues are prime examples and unlikely to be repaired on a timely basis without a dedicated funding source. Officials say they also would be able to catch up with a backlog of resurfacing projects within two years. Roughly 60 percent of the tax money will come from residents outside the community who use the streets to shop there, officials say, and it will not apply to items such as groceries, medicine or titled purchases involving cars or motorcycles. We’re not thrilled with the idea of any tax increase, but understand the importance of maintaining our infrastructure. We believe the village has made a legitimate case worthy of a YES vote.