No on Wauconda tax increase

Though it's phrased as a vote on annexing to the Wauconda Fire Protection District, the ballot question for Wauconda residents really is a tax increase.

And it's not a tax increase for fire protection the money would head off cuts to police, snow plowing and other services and retain mosquito abatement, brush pickup, weed cutting in Bangs Lake and July Fourth fireworks. That's because fire and ambulance costs would become a separate line item on property tax bills, but the village would rebate to residents less than half the money it would save by being relieved of those duties.

If passed, the measure would add $159 in taxes on a $200,000 house, which many can't afford. We recommend voting “No.”

Wauconda could then opt for two future referendums one to annex to the fire district, which is logical since only Wauconda contracts separately for service within the 50-square-mile district and another to seek more taxes for specific village services.