Naperville council tables mechanical amusement tax increase

At a time when new revenues are at a premium, several Naperville councilmen appear ready to turn their backs on a stream that could produce as much as $43,000 a year in the name of reducing government.

Council members Tuesday tabled a proposed $50 increase in annual permit fees for new commercially owned pool tables, bowling alleys and video game machines.

City Records Specialist Lynn Zilinsky said the fee generated about $24,000 in 2010 and could reach $43,000 with the proposed establishment of a new category of permits for video vending kiosks operated by Redbox and Blockbuster. Fees for establishments with pool tables would also increase to $50 from $25, and bowling alleys would see their annual cost per lane go from $10 to $20.

“Why are we doing anything to permit or inspect pool tables, bowling alleys and mechanical amusement devices, if in fact, there's over 400 but we're only going to inspect new ones as people come in for a permit?” asked Councilman Kenn Miller. “It's one of these cat-leash laws that makes me ask ‘Why are we spinning our wheels when we have reduced staff?' Let's eliminate the ordinance.”

Councilman Steve Chirico also questioned the need for the regulation.

“Is it even necessary or is this just government where it doesn't need to be?” he asked. “I'd just as soon get rid of this tax and stop doing the service.”

Councilman Bob Fieseler suggested the ordinance may be outdated and originally put on the books to control illegal gambling.

“I do think this is an anachronism from the days where we had trouble in pool halls and bowling alleys, but I think part of the concern has to do with gambling and this may be that kind of a hook to get in to these kind of places to check it out,” Fieseler said. “I love the idea of taking regulations out of our code, so I'm kind of inclined to say we need to trim this back a lot.”

Councilman Doug Krause, however, couldn't believe his peers would opt out of collecting any revenue.

“I just want to reiterate that we have a budget shortfall in the next few years and you guys are cutting sources of revenue,” Krause said. “This is a user tax. People who use these, they're the ones who should be paying the taxes on it. We should be looking for sources of revenue while cutting expenses.”

Miller said he would like a better explanation from staff, when the issue comes back before the board on June 21, regarding how much of its time is spent enforcing the current ordinance and inspecting and permitting the new mechanical devices.

“I appreciate the budget issue but there's no benefit to the city and no benefit to the public other than the revenue,” Miller said.