JANUARY
THE BUGLE JANUARY 1, 2014
downers grove
stoRmWAteR
UTILITY
Stormwater utility is a monthly fee based on the total amount of impervious area on all parcels throughout the village Downers Grove was one of the first Chicago suburbs in the area to institute a stormwater utility fee in 2013, and neighboring Westmont also set in motion its own plans for a stormwater fee last year. Downers Grove’s stormwater utility, which went into effect in January 2013, is a monthly fee based on the total amount of impervious area on all parcels throughout the village. These areas include parking lots, roofs, driveways or decks; basically any surface that does not absorb water. The fee is based on Equivalent Runoff Units,which are equal to 3,300 square feet of impervious area, and that equates to a monthly fee between $6.30 and $12.60 for all single-family residential parcels. The fee was not without critics, however. The issue has been an ongoing source of
tension between Downers Grove nonprofits and village government since it went into effect. Church leaders have argued that the fee unfairly challenges the tax-exempt status of nonprofits, poses an insurmountable financial obligation and sets a“dangerous precedent” for future taxes that may be levied against faithbased organizations. “You’re trying to tax religion,” said the Rev. Bill Cullen, of St. Mary of Gostyn Parish. “What’s more disconcerting is that this tax is on the backs of the poorest people in this village.” In December the village voted to increase the fee by 6.4 percent in 2014, which will most certainly keep this issue alive in Village Council meetings throughout the new year. Westmont’s proposed utility fee is similar to Downers
Grove’s and could be instituted as early as June 2014. Westmont’s Community Stormwater Management Committee researched the topic and presented its recommendations to remedy flooding issues within the village that were brought to light during April’s torrential rains. “In a bizarre way, I’m happy for the 100-year storm,” said Westmont resident Jim Gangnard, who felt the floods helped highlight issues with the village’s stormwater infrastructure. “I’m extremely encouraged by what this study has said. I did not expect this.” Westmont Finance Director Spencer Parker said the stormwater utility fee would allow the village to fairly assess how much a resident would pay, include incentives to lower a resident’s monthly fee, and provide an ongoing revenue stream for future stormwater projects and continued maintenance to the system.
NOVEMEBER viLLAge Finds WAY to cope WitH Loss oF Home-RULe
westmont
2012’s home-ruling set the stage for number of budgetary problems in 2013, including the repeal of 2.5 cent-per gallon gas tax, a 0.5 % sales tax Westmont residents voted A 1.5 percent tax on to rescind the village’s home- establishments that prepare rule status in November of and serve food is expected 2012 and that set the stage to bring in $750,000 in for a number of budgetary additional revenue. problems The board in 2013, also made i n cl u d i n g several cuts Breaking down the repeal to the general the numBers of a 2.5 fund.The most mchs 5-yeaR deficit cent-per significant pRediction gallon gas savings will tax, a 0.5 come from percent maintaining searl estimated the loss of the sales tax staff vacancies gas and sales taxes would and the in a number of amount to a nearly $2.4 million v i l l a ge ’s departments. reduction in annual revenues. M u l t i This attrition Fa m i l y will save Licensing the village a 1.5 percent tax on Program. $344,669. establishments that prepare and serve food is expected to S e a r l B y bring in $750,000 in additional estimated extending revenue. the loss the life of the gas expectancy and sales of police, fire taxes would amount to a and public works vehicles, nearly $2.4 million reduction the village also expects to in annual revenues. save $122,633 in the 2013The loss of home-rule 14 budget. revenues meant that Village Furthermore, the Board trustees had to get village will reduce police creative in the 2013 budget department hours from 9 process. a.m. to 8 p.m. to 9 a.m. to 5 A tax on places of eating p.m. and cut Committee of will have the most significant the Whole meetings form the impact in helping to swing Village Board schedule in the Westmont’s bottom line back upcoming year. These two into the positive. moves will save $76,470.
$2.4 million
$750,000
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