Ready for another tax increase?
Come Election Day, we, the voters in Antioch, will have many choices to make. One includes a request from the Antioch Township Library District asking voters to approve a referendum of a little less than $10 million dollars for expansion of the library.
A difficult choice indeed and some will agree and vote yes, while others have a different view. With information from the library district website, Illinois Policy Institute, CBS Chicago and most importantly the Lake County property tax assessor, I was able to easily decide why I will not support this referendum.
Will this proposal bring the Antioch Library into the 21st century?
This assertion implies that existing facilities and services are outdated and insufficient. Big differences between genuine needs and wish lists. At this time, I am not convinced there is a need.
Why does a $9.6 million referendum include $1.6 million for updating and repairs? That expenditure should have been planned and budgeted for in the annual operating budget.
The referendum includes tax dollars for a coffee room and fireplace. Tone deaf is my first reaction. We are in the middle of a major pandemic, coupled with a recession and millions of job losses. Anyway, leave the coffee business to the mom & pop shops.
Overwhelming support in 2017?
Don't think the majority of the taxpayers were asked. The 2019 property taxes were up a huge 23%. Lake County property tax is second highest in the nation.
Antioch Township Library District tax increase up 19% just in 2019.
Schaumburg Township Library District gives $1.5 million back to taxpayers.
Is this referendum a good value to the taxpayer? Do not compare outrageous property taxes to increased home values. I am not convinced of a genuine need at this time.
I am voting no.
Joe Badame
Antioch