Some residents question need for road referendum in Libertyville

Some Libertyville residents say they don't like the math of a tax increase on the March 20 ballot, showing the route the village is taking to generate money for road repairs may not be as smooth as hoped.

During a town-hall meeting on Monday, critics questioned whether there were other sources of money to repair the village's crumbling roads.

“We probably have money in the (village) budget already,” said anti-tax activist Jack Martin.

Village officials said they have been in cost-cutting mode for years and have no alternative.

“This isn't something we just brought up and said, ‘Let's have a referendum,'” Mayor Terry Weppler said during the forum attended by about 100 people.

Voters will decide whether to approve a property tax increase of about $34 a year for the next four years to a total of about $136 per year thereafter, solely for street repairs. A prioritized list of streets to be repaired, which is subject to change, is available on the village website.

Approval will allow the village to issue $20 million in bonds over the next four years and pay the principal and interest for the next 20 years.

The village says it spends about $1 million each year (from motor fuel tax and village stickers) on road repairs but should spend more than triple that to keep pace and has fallen behind.

“It's a big question. It's an expensive question,” noted Public Works Director John Heinz. He said $32 million in road repairs had been identified.

“We didn't want to spread ourselves so thin that we couldn't properly manage it,” he said. “That means that $12 million isn't on the list.”

Richard Mittelman, a Libertyville Township trustee, asked if the village had a plan to increase the amount it spends each year on roads besides raising taxes.

“If you have a better idea, tell me,” Weppler said. “I'm not a genius. I'm open for answers.”

Anti-tax activist Tim Anderson said the village should better manage its assets before asking taxpayers for more. Others in the audience asked how the village would maintain streets after the money is spent and thought the tax increase question was being rushed.

Martin, who already has voted against the measure, said the cumulative effect of the increase far exceeds $34 a year.

“Why don't we start off by earmarking a percentage of those (increasing) sales tax dollars to go to street repairs?” he said.

As he did more than once during the session, Weppler noted the village has made extensive budget cuts, laid off 12 workers and frozen wages. He said Libertyville has lower village property taxes than most communities and residents receive numerous services.

“We've done everything we can think of to cut money,” he said.

Martin said the village squandered money in the past, such as with construction of the Libertyville Sports Complex, which opened 10 years ago.

Weppler said he would not second-guess decisions made by other village boards. The buildings have been for sale but with no offers close to the $20 million outstanding debt.

“Trust me, Jack. Make me an offer,” Weppler said.

There also was support for the tax hike.

“We see it as a long-term effort of the beautification of the village” that will raise property values, said David Stuart, a 14-year resident. “We see it as a good thing.”

Pending voter approval, repairs on about 30 miles — or one-third of the roads in town — would begin in 2013. The idea is to “shave and pave” roads before they deteriorate further and need to be rebuilt, which can cost three times as much, according to the village.