What is the Morton Business District? Morton Economic Development Council Executive Director Jennifer Daly, along with other Economic Development Council officials and several interested business owners, first introduced the idea to the board 3 years ago. Two well-attended public hearings were held on the subject. “I don’t think this is the right time for a tax increase,” said board member Darrell Vierling before Monday’s meeting. “We just cut $2 million from our budget, and from what Gov. Quinn has just proposed, they’re going to take 30 percent out of what we get from the state. That’s going to be about $385,000 from the village. We’re going to have to make that up somehow. The sales taxes from the business district can only go back into the business district, so that’s not much of a help,” Vierling said. Board member Steve Newhouse said that most residents opposed to the new business district feel that way because they are opposed to the .25 percent tax increase. Newhouse said he thinks that concern is misguided. With the board’s approval in the bag, village trustees will now appoint a commission to establish funding guidelines and make recommendations on funding projects, Daly said. Over the 23 years the business district will be in effect, Daly said the village expects to raise more than 10 million through the .25 percent sales tax increase. “The trustees will have the ultimate say in how any funds are spent,” said Daly.
Posted on: Tue, 23 Jul 2013 15:52:58 +0000
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