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Following a second public hearing on the creation of the Farm Creek Business District, the East Peoria City Council passed separate ordinances that designated the boundaries of the district and imposed an additional 1 percent sales tax for the district’s businesses.
Both ordinances passed by votes of 4-1, with the dissenting vote on each ordinance coming from Commissioner Chad Joos.
“Should I support a business district? The immediate conclusion is ‘yeah, why wouldn’t I support a district that provides tools to businesses in our community and encourages other businesses to locate there?’” Joos said at the Sept. 20 city council meeting.
“The more thought I gave to the resolution, the harder it was for me to ignore the fact that the primary reason for this business district is to impose an additional 1 percent sales tax,” Joos said. “For this reason ... I oppose this resolution.”
The other city council members, including Mayor Dave Mingus, voted for the creation of the district and sales tax to keep East Peorians from paying higher property taxes.
“I don’t like tax increases at all, however, I will support this bill ... because it is necessary,” Commissioner Daniel Decker said. “I never want to put the people of East Peoria in a position of a potential property tax increase.”
The newly-opened Bass Pro Shop is the centerpiece of the Farm Creek Business District. The district covers East Peoria land up to where Interstate 74 intersects Main Street, and is cut off right before the Par-A-Dice casino property. The district’s south side follows the eastbound lanes of I-74 to Riverfront Drive, follows West Camp Street and wraps around the property to the west of Altorfer Lane before meeting Main Street.
Revenues from the sales tax levied within the district will only be used on roads and other infrastructure within the district.
Members of the city council said that Bass Pro Shops officials were aware of a potential sales tax increase before agreeing to open a location in town.
In other business, the city council...
• Approved the payment of $1,989,671.64 in bills.
• Approved the appointment of Leanne Joseph to the East Peoria Housing Authority Board. Joseph’s term on the board will end June 30, 2012.
• Accepted a bid of $23,500 to re-install the Franklin Street Bridge monument on the Riverfront Promenade.
• Approved an agreement with the Illinois River Valley Council of Governments and the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission to study the possibility of installing a stormwater utility system. The cost for the study would not exceed $9,635.96.
• Approved a separation agreement between the city and Jeff Knight of the police department. The separation agreement is effective Sept. 29.
Following a second public hearing on the creation of the Farm Creek Business District, the East Peoria City Council passed separate ordinances that designated the boundaries of the district and imposed an additional 1 percent sales tax for the district’s businesses.
Both ordinances passed by votes of 4-1, with the dissenting vote on each ordinance coming from Commissioner Chad Joos.
“Should I support a business district? The immediate conclusion is ‘yeah, why wouldn’t I support a district that provides tools to businesses in our community and encourages other businesses to locate there?’” Joos said at the Sept. 20 city council meeting.
“The more thought I gave to the resolution, the harder it was for me to ignore the fact that the primary reason for this business district is to impose an additional 1 percent sales tax,” Joos said. “For this reason ... I oppose this resolution.”
The other city council members, including Mayor Dave Mingus, voted for the creation of the district and sales tax to keep East Peorians from paying higher property taxes.
“I don’t like tax increases at all, however, I will support this bill ... because it is necessary,” Commissioner Daniel Decker said. “I never want to put the people of East Peoria in a position of a potential property tax increase.”
The newly-opened Bass Pro Shop is the centerpiece of the Farm Creek Business District. The district covers East Peoria land up to where Interstate 74 intersects Main Street, and is cut off right before the Par-A-Dice casino property. The district’s south side follows the eastbound lanes of I-74 to Riverfront Drive, follows West Camp Street and wraps around the property to the west of Altorfer Lane before meeting Main Street.
Revenues from the sales tax levied within the district will only be used on roads and other infrastructure within the district.
Members of the city council said that Bass Pro Shops officials were aware of a potential sales tax increase before agreeing to open a location in town.
In other business, the city council...
• Approved the payment of $1,989,671.64 in bills.
• Approved the appointment of Leanne Joseph to the East Peoria Housing Authority Board. Joseph’s term on the board will end June 30, 2012.
• Accepted a bid of $23,500 to re-install the Franklin Street Bridge monument on the Riverfront Promenade.
• Approved an agreement with the Illinois River Valley Council of Governments and the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission to study the possibility of installing a stormwater utility system. The cost for the study would not exceed $9,635.96.
• Approved a separation agreement between the city and Jeff Knight of the police department. The separation agreement is effective Sept. 29.
