A debate exists within the United States government and American society at large, over whether the one-cent coin, commonly called the penny, should be eliminated as a unit of currency in the United States. In contrast, Morrison Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors would like to champion the extraordinary impact that two of these coins will have on the City of Morrison and Community Unit School District #6.
Who would not wish to witness the long-awaited return to safe, smooth City streets and upgrades to our five- and six-decade old school buildings? These transformations will begin in 2015, if residents approve two propositions on the Tuesday, November 4, 2014, General Election ballot.
You will be asked–separately–if the City of Morrison and Whiteside County should impose a retailers’ occupation tax and a service occupation tax (commonly referred to as a “sales tax”) at a rate of 1%, to be used exclusively for infrastructure improvements and school facility purposes, respectively.
The Morrison Chamber Board urges you to vote YES on both initiatives. Two pennies paid on a dollar purchase = two new sources of revenue = two dramatic transformations. City streets and school buildings cannot be ignored for the sake of saving two cents on the dollar. They are the essence of a fine community.
Certain purchases are exempt from the 1% sales tax increase. It will not be applied to
- grocery items
- prescription drugs, non-prescription medications, and medical appliances
- agricultural equipment/supplies
- titled and registered vehicles (cars, trucks, boats, RV’s, ATV’s, mobile homes) and/or equipment
- farm equipment, parts, and inputs.
City of Morrison Penny Tax
Reliable infrastructure is critical to retail business, industry, real estate, healthcare, and education. The City’s aging infrastructure needs attention. Revenue from the State of Illinois has declined in recent years. If the City penny referendum passes, there would be an estimated revenue increase of $200,000 per year, based upon sales trends and historical data.
- The other side of this “City penny” is the fact that it does not increase property taxes or local utility rates. Fulton, Rock Falls, Sterling, and Dixon, IL, have a local sales tax. The 1% sales tax spreads the cost burden of street repairs to those who live outside City limits, but make purchases in Morrison. The burden will not lie solely on residents.
By State law, the 1% sales tax funds must be used for infrastructure improvements, such as Morrison’s roads. The Mayor and each City Council Alderman have made the “Street Improvement Plan” their top priority. Renovations would get underway as soon as 2015, with a total estimated cost of $3.5 million.
Clearly, portions of Winfield, Jackson, Wall, Orange, and Main Streets are in critical need of repair. Some of the worst areas, according to Fehr-Graham Engineering & Environmental, Rochelle, IL, are these well-traveled areas:
- E. Winfield Street at Portland Avenue
- E. Wall at S. Jackson Street
- N. Orange Street at Union Pacific Railroad crossing
- N. Orange Street to Norrish Road
- W. Main Street west of N. Orange Street
- the 100 block of E. Main Street.
Unit District #6 Penny Tax
Board members are confident local voters will support the School District penny tax increase, as they have in all prior elections. The 1% school sales tax increase is expected to generate between $400,000 and $500,000. That amount is based on student enrollment.
- The other side of this “school penny” is the fact that property taxes will decrease if the 1% school tax is approved. The Board of Education has pledged half the money to abate your property taxes in the future, by reducing District bond debt.
It will take a year for the District to receive the tax revenue, but imagine the task list that will be prioritized during that time.
- The high school boiler is 60 years old; parts are unavailable, so repairs must be fabricated; replacement costs will be extreme.
- Seats in the auditorium are deteriorating since their installation in 1969; springs are broken; covers have been replaced due to wear-and-tear.
- The Northside School roof will need replacement.
- All buildings need upgraded lighting; ceilings; removal of asbestos flooring; improved security measures.
Within the next two years, architects will conduct a comprehensive 10-Year Health-Life Safety Study on our buildings. They will assess these and other necessary improvements.
There is enormous power in two pennies if applied to critical City and school needs. Your two cents are worth hundreds of thousands of dollars in improvements to Morrison. Proudly vote YES in support of both 1% sales tax increases.
To discuss the Chamber Board’s endorsement of these two referenda, kindly contact President Heather Toppert at 563-249-5266 or htoppert@moreinsuranceagency.com or Vice President Scott Stocker at 563-210-6622 or scott@securitypluswireless.com.