City Council to Move Forward with Utility Tax

6-23-14 Galesburg City CouncilFollowing input from various aldermen, Galesburg City Council members agreed last night to allow City Manager Todd Thompson to draft a proposal to implement a city-wide utility tax.

Thompson says he expects the tax to generate an estimated $2.35 Million per year for the city–money which will be used to help repair much of the cities deferred infrastructure.

Currently, the amount that has been deferred is around $2.45 Million.

Aldermen discussed the pro’s and cons last night in regard to spending money on roads, as well as attracting services.

Thompson added that for every deferred maintenance dollar not spent now, the amount would look more like four or five in the future.

Sixth Ward Alderman Wayne Allen said that he will support the measure because roads are in such dire need of repair.

“I’ve been on the council for 14 years, and this is probably the first time that I’ve told a City Manager or a Mayor that I will support a tax like this,” says Allen. “We’re at the point in the City of Galesburg, where we either do something, or we end up with a lot of doing something later.”

If the tax passes in regular session, the amount would sit at five percent for gas, and between four and six percent on a tiered scale for electric.

Council members also elected to fund police and fire pensions at five percent above last year’s cut. The decision was not the original recommendation. The city deficit will now return to a little less than $1 Million, however, Mayor John Pritchard says that number is subject to change based on how the budget breaks down in the coming months.

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