Why North Barrington may eliminate vehicle stickers - and how officials plan to make up the money

North Barrington's vehicle stickers could soon join the Model T, Edsel and AMC Gremlin on the automotive scrap heap.

Instead of stickers, a new tax for road and bridge projects would be created to generate revenue. It would be added to the property tax bill.

Village officials are considering doing away with the $20 stickers because compliance is poor, Village Administrator John Lobaito said. People buy about 1,500 vehicle stickers annually - about half the number of stickers that should be purchased each year, he said.

In addition, administering the program is difficult with a small staff, Lobaito said.

The new tax would ensure 100% participation and result in a lower per-resident cost, Lobaito said.

"It is more equitable," he said.

The owner of a $600,000 home would see the property tax bill increase by less than $5 because of the proposed tax, Lobaito said. Villagewide, the tax would generate about $35,000 annually.

Sticker sales generated about $31,000 for the village in the 2022 fiscal year, Lobaito said. But with printing costs and other expenses, the program cost about $5,000 to run, Lobaito said, which devoured a big chunk of that cash.

The village board discussed the proposal Wednesday night but took no formal action.

The board could greenlight the plan when it meets Nov. 16 to approve the next tax levy and handle other business. If approved, residents would see the impact on their tax bills starting in 2023.

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