This is no time to gouge businesses

The hospitality industry has suffered one of the worst years on record as a result of the pandemic. After 15 months of shutdowns and occupancy restrictions, our businesses are just now being permitted to serve patrons at full capacity.

Our one bright spot has been video gaming - a major factor in helping keep our doors open. So now, after everything we have survived, why is the village of Bartlett seeking to double the annual licensing fees for our video gaming machines, increasing the already high $500-per-year fee to $1,000?

Really?

In the last six months of operation, video gaming has generated 128% more than the amount generated just before the last tax increase in July 2019 ($129,820 versus $56,841, or $72,979.81 more) for the village. Yet, a massive fee increase is being proposed, despite the increased tax revenue. It is counterproductive to double the tax on an industry that continues to bring in more and more revenue for the village, especially right now.

We do not need to keep up with the Joneses in our neighboring communities. If surrounding communities want to gouge their local businesses with excessive fees, that is their prerogative. We can and should do things differently here.

We urge village board members to think about the long-term consequences of increasing these fees and vote "no" on this shortsighted proposal.

Brett Gaylord and Jim Leo, Owners, The Still Bar and Grill

Bartlett