Village officials in North Aurora are pleased following Tuesday’s primary election as voters appear to have approved a sales tax increase to be used to help fund future projects in the village.
A referendum question on Tuesday’s ballot asked voters whether the village’s sales tax should be increased from 0.5% to 1%.
The local sales tax is a primary source of funding for the village’s capital projects budget, which funds projects such as roads, sidewalks, sewers and other public improvements, according to village officials.
An increase in the tax would provide additional funding for annual capital programs and future projects, such as a new Public Works facility which is currently being designed and is expected to cost approximately $17.6 million, according to officials.
Unofficial final results from the Kane County Clerk’s Office show 53.9% voting in favor of the sales tax hike and 44.6% voting against the increase.
Turnout for Tuesday’s election was low, with about 16.6% of registered voters in North Aurora casting ballots on the tax hike, according to officials.
North Aurora Village President Mark Gaffino on Wednesday said he “didn’t know why people don’t vote,” but was happy the proposal appears to have passed.
Gaffino has said an increased sales tax would not put the additional tax burden solely on residents, since everyone purchasing items in the village, no matter where they are from, would pay the tax.
“I’m glad it passed and we’re glad the increase doesn’t all go on the backs of the taxpayers. Nobody likes raising taxes,” Gaffino said. “But it was a necessary thing and we owe it to our community in the future – the future people that run the community.
“Instead of kicking the can down the road and saying somebody else can deal with this maintenance facility issue,” he said, the sales tax hike “was the least invasive option” to deal with the issue of funding future projects.
North Aurora Trustee Laura Curtis praised the efforts of village staff members in getting information out to residents explaining the tax increase proposal.
“We’re going to shift our funding from the backs of homeowners to more of a consumption tax which will be spread to people beyond our borders,” Curtis said. “When you take a look at where our sales tax is we’re among the lowest in the Fox Valley and now this puts us in line with our neighbors and further provides needed services to our residents. We’re switching the burden from having to rely more heavily on our property taxes which is never a good thing for residents and switching it to a consumption tax which spreads the taxing.”
The first thing to benefit from a sales tax increase, Gaffino confirmed, is the Public Works facility project. He said the tax increase would help fund work on the project, which officials said is needed because they believe the present facility is undersized for the current and future needs of the village.
He said it makes sense to get the job done now.
“Unfortunately, the longer you wait, the more it’s going to go up with the cost of metal and labor,” he said.
David Sharos is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.