New gasoline tax takes effect in Decatur on Friday

DECATUR, Ill. (AP) - A new gas tax taking effect in the central Illinois city of Decatur on Friday will fund street repairs.

The (Decatur) Herald & Review reports (http://bit.ly/1VaqyLR ) owners of gas stations in the city hope they won't lose too many customers.

The tax is 5 cents per gallon for unleaded gasoline and 1 cent per gallon for diesel.

John Phillips, owner of University Service, tells the newspaper he thinks competitors outside of the city eventually will match Decatur's prices.

Decatur officials say the tax will pay for repairs on secondary streets. Public Works Director Rick Marley says his staff is developing a list of a dozen or more streets where the gas tax will pay for improvements.

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Information from: Herald & Review, http://www.herald-review.com