By Howard Packowitz
NORMAL – Normal Town Council members received an earful from property owners who will foot the bill to pay for the rising cost of police and fire pensions.
Almost a dozen people spoke at a public hearing before the council unanimously approved a tax levy costing the owner of a $165,000 home an extra $40 next year.
Jerrod Rackauskus called himself ‘Median Joe’ for being the ‘median’ source of tax revenue for the town.
He says his tax bill has risen from about $2,900 to almost $3,800 in five years. Rackauskus says that’s negatively impacted his family’s quality of life, and he’s learned to say ‘no’ to spending at local businesses.
“No to burritos as big as my head with my kids at La Bamba. No to a family pool pass at Fairview in the summer. No to cold beers with buds at Destihl. And of course, I’ve had to say no to the famous roast beef sandwich at Portillo’s,” said Rackauskus.
Council woman Chemberly Cummings said the council’s hands are tied because of unfunded state mandates to fund employee pensions.
“We’re left to make the hard decision. We’re also left taking the whipping from our constituents when we have to do what they’ve written in their state statute,” said Cummings.
Critics called on the council to reduce spending. Council member R.C. McBride says cuts are coming early next year.
Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]
