Sewer benefit tax criticized
Former alderman Cliff Singer addressed the Urbana City Council on Monday night regarding the city's sewer benefit tax. The tax was instituted more than 20 years ago in order to eliminate the need for special assessment costs. "It is an extremely inefficient tax," Singer said. He claimed that the city spends more than 20% of the tax money on the actual costs of levying the tax, such as postage and prosecuting delinquencies, which is done by the city attorney. "If Urbana eliminates the tax, Champaign will probably follow," he said. In other council news: • The city of Urbana received an award in recognition of its support to senior citizens providing volunteer services within the community. • The council made a motion to carry three ordinances concerning property tax levies for the next fiscal year. There was no debate on the ordinances. • A request for a major zoning variance by Carle Hospital was deferred for two weeks. The request was for the extension of an existing parking lot at 810 W. Anthony Drive. Questions were raised concerning the extent of need for the zoning variance. "If someone wants more parking, big deal. I'm concerned about the precedent we set," said Ward 2 Alderwoman Ruth Wyman. The council will vote on the issue in two weeks. |
||
© 2000 Illini Media Company, all rights reserved. |