East Dundee raises sales tax rate

The East Dundee village board this week voted to raise the sales tax rate one-half percent in two business development districts.

With the new 9.75 percent rate the village is hoping to get $225,000 per year that will go toward a 10-year infrastructure program funding replacement and repair throughout the village.

The first district is essentially all of downtown and virtually all of the commercial properties along Routes 72 and 25. It stops at the car dealers south of the Wal-Mart along Route 25. The second business development district is near the Thorntons gas station.

Trustee Allen Skillicorn cast the only vote against the measure Monday.

"It's not just a quarter point here, a quarter point there," Skillicorn said before the vote. "East Dundee is one of the higher (sales tax rates) in the state of Illinois."

Village Administrator Robert Skurla said the proposed 2015-2016 budget is balanced for the fifth year in a row. There are no increases in property taxes, water and sewer fees, municipal waste collection or any tax that affects only East Dundee residents. The fiscal year begins May 1. Skurla said he anticipates the board will vote to pass the budget by the end of the month.

The $23.67 million budget represents a 13.8 percent decrease from the previous fiscal year, Skurla said.

The budget calls for a new police officer position and a new part-time police clerk.

There is also a program initiative of $75,000 to make available small 50/50 matching grants to commercial building owners to assess the feasibility of alternative energy conversion or adaptation.

Skurla also pointed out demand for storefronts and office space is at a 10-year high.