Gas, Sales Taxes to be Revisited in Three Years

were formally approved by the this week with one proviso -- that trustees be mandated to review if the taxes are still needed three years from now.

The two-cent gas tax increase, bringing the village total to four cents per gallon, goes into effect Feb. 1. The half cent sales tax hike, bringing the village total to 1.5 cents on every dollar spent, kicks in July 1.

Together, they should generate about $1.5 million, enough to close an anticipated gap in the village's 2012-13 budget, which begins July 1.

However, to ensure that the taxes don't become permanent should the economy rebound, the board agreed to a three-year "sunset" clause that will automatically remove the increases in 2015 unless the board acts to keep them in place.

The proposal was made by Trustee Dan Rippy, who said he's sensitive to government's tendency to make temporary measures permanent. Rippy is a former government employee who worked for the Will County State's Attorney's office.

"My general experience with government is once (the tax) is up, they don't want to bring it down," he said.

Although he ultimately voted against the tax increases, Trustee Garrett Peck spoke in favor of the clause.

"It also holds elected officials accountable, (it makes them ask) do we need this revenue or do we not need it," he said.

The only other trustee to vote against the new taxes was Paul Fay, who said he believed not enough was done to look for more creative income solutions, such as selling advertising or sponsorship rights or not filling job vacancies.

"Raising taxes with the economy such as it is at this time is, in my opinion, poor stewardship," Fay said.