Elgin Council must cut, not tax more

On Wednesday, Dec. 7, the Elgin City Council had a “Truth in Taxation” hearing. I addressed this with my own “Truth about Taxation” comments.

No nation, state or government in the history of man has created prosperity by increasing taxes on its people or spending more than it takes in.

The current proposed city budget does not reduce our property taxes; it simply shifts the garbage fee to our water bill.

The new utility taxes being levied will hit business the hardest because it’s a usage tax. As most people know, businesses will simply pass those costs onto their customers, not hire workers or close their doors.

The city has received more tax revenues from property taxes 18 of the last 20 years from those of us who are still living in our homes. Many of us who live on the Cook County side of Elgin paid 12 to 15 percent more to the city this year than last year.

Though five of the current seven members of today’s council are new members elected since 2007 and did not cause all of the spending that has caused today’s deficits, they are charged with fixing the problem without further damaging the local economy. Raising taxes by millions of dollars will damage our local economy. Those of us working in the private sector or are retired cannot afford higher taxes and most small businesses can’t either.

I don’t blame this council or staff for the current state of our regional and national economy. But part of the problem we as a city face today is a result of choices made by past city councils with staff support over the last 12 years. We’re still spending money today like we’ve got the same revenue streams as back then. Well, we don’t have the money, so cuts must be a bigger part of the solution — not large tax increases.

Terry Gavin

Elgin