Carol Stream to look at new taxes

Carol Stream officials are considering several new taxes - including the first property tax in the village's 50-year history - as possible ways to increase revenue after the Fiscal Year 2009 budget came in needing more than $1 million in cuts.

Village President Frank Saverino made the announcement during his opening remarks at the village's first "Shape of Carol Stream" town hall meeting Wednesday.

Saverino said the board made $1.1 million in cuts and will face $1.3 million in cuts next year. Because of this, village officials have been discussing ways to increase revenue.

"Nothing is off the table," Saverino said. "We are evaluating every program. We want to keep the town the way it is."

The board meets before each of its board meetings in order to evaluate which programs can withstand small cuts in order to get the city's finances in order.

The village has already removed a Drug Abuse Resistance Education police officer and will auction off the police vehicle he had used. The village also has implemented a hiring freeze for the immediate future and does not replace retired employees.

"We have cut every place we can cut," Saverino said.

Among the possible revenue streams officials have considered include the property tax, a food and beverage tax and a municipal gas tax.

"I will never sugarcoat anything," said Saverino. "We're struggling. If the time ever comes (to impose new taxes), we'll suffer together. But in the meantime, I won't let the quality of life drop in Carol Stream."

The announcement came during a town-hall meeting that was attended by about 25 Carol Stream residents. The meeting also was broadcast on local access Channel 6.

Viewers could send e-mails or call in questions while those in attendance wrote their questions down. Itasca Bank & Trust Co. President Jack Mensching moderated the event and asked 17 taxing body representatives about topics ranging from Glenbard North High School students having to walk through areas where sex offenders reside to how much fire hose the fire department has.

The meeting lasted two hours but the first 1 hour and 10 minutes were spent by officials representing eight governing bodies - four school districts, the library, park district, fire department and Saverino - informing residents of their situations.