By Howard Packowitz
BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington aldermen were divided Monday night, narrowly approving an increase in the local gasoline tax that will double to eight cents a gallon starting May 1.
The council voted 5-4 for the tax hike that is intended to raise an estimated $2.3 million dollars to fix streets and sidewalks.
Alderman Kimberly Bray was in the majority. She said it’s a quality of life issue.
“It’s an every day, getting to work, getting out, getting the kids, taking care of folks with special needs, having the kind of accessibility that folks need,” said Bray.
“This is what the community demands, and it costs money,” Bray added.
Alderman Jamie Mathy also voted for the increase, saying it will be harder down the road to find money for steet repairs given the millions of dollars the city will spend on public pensions.
“No matter what other bad decisions that we’re going to make, we can lock four cents here along with the four cents we had before into an account, and we can say we know that at least the roads are going to get done,” said Mathy.
Ward 6 Alderman Karen Schmidt, the only incumbent running for re-election next week, said her constituents are overwhelmingly opposed to raising the gas tax.
“I would say 100 percent of the people want the roads fixed. They don’t want to see an additional tax. I think the call is for prioritizing of our general fund, reprioritizing our general fund,” Schmidt said.
Also voting no were Scott Black, Mboka Mwilambwe, and David Sage.
Mwilambwe worries about the cumulative impact of all the recent fee increases, and uncertainty whether Normal and state government will raise their gas taxes.
Sage said the council needs to set budget priorities, perhaps reducing funding to the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts and the new Miller Park Zoo concession to pay for street repairs. He too said he encountered constituents opposed to the higher gas tax.
“Their worries about how government just seems to be wanting more and more of their money, and they said, ‘Does anyone on the council even understand anymore what it’s like to live paycheck to paycheck?'”
Before the vote, Bruce Meeks, a frequent critic of Mayor Tari Renner and the council, said he collected 569 signatures on a petition against the gas tax increase.
Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]
