Elmhurst Chamber Opposes Property Tax Freeze
The Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce & Industry Board of Directors, in consultation with its Governmental Affairs Committee, is announcing its opposition to a property tax freeze, as proposed by Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner and the Illinois General Assembly.
Property tax is an essential revenue source for our local governmental bodies—including the City of Elmhurst, Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205 and Elmhurst Park District—and a state-mandated freeze could result in millions of dollars in cutbacks and service losses.
By state law since 1991, Elmhurst’s governmental bodies already have been limited to a property tax increase to the lesser of five percent (5%) or the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which has hit three percent (3%) or greater only six times in 27 years and only once since 2006.
To the extent that high quality local government services are critical to a thrive community, our Chamber considers these services essential to maintaining both resident and daytime population, land values and community investment.
Our Chamber, therefore, views a property tax freeze as a threat not only to those government agencies, but also to Elmhurst’s residents and businesses.
By state law (Property Tax Extension Law Limit or “PTELL) since 1991, Elmhurst’s governmental bodies already have been limited to a property tax increase to the lesser of five percent (5%) or the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which has hit three percent (3%) or greater only six times in 27 years and only once since 2006, wreaking havoc on their budgets.
“Given that the State of Illinois failed to adopt an operating budget for nearly three years and doubled the debt to some $15 billion, state elected officials should not be sticking their hands into any part of the municipal pie,” stated John R. Quigley, ECCI President and CEO since 1999.
While deliberating this position, our Chamber considered the responsibility elected officials at our local level—City of Elmhurst, Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205, Elmhurst Park District and Elmhurst Public Library—and serving DuPage County have shown in budgeting and maintaining accountable fiscal positions.
Our Chamber believes that public participation and the ballot box are proper forums to respond to elected officials who depart from the paths expected by their constituents.
Also, we believe there is no cause to impose an additionally-burdensome referendum process on local agencies providing essential and valuable services benefitting residents and businesses alike.
Finally, our Chamber believes any loss in government services will adversely affect perceptions of value—in owning a home, residing and working in Elmhurst.
City of Elmhurst
Elmhurst City Manager Jim Grabowski reported that, even with a more diverse revenue stream than Elmhurst’s other taxing bodies, the City could suffer “very negative effects,” depending on how any legislation is written, and growing tax-free internet sales continue to threaten retail sales taxes generated by brick-and-mortar retailers.
“Our first concern is the State taking away local control from municipal organizations,” stated Grabowski. “We all know that local governments (city, park, school) have the most direct influence/results for our residents. Constituents can very easily contact the locally elected officials to voice opinions on the property tax levy.”
Two other City concerns include potential restrictions on bond indebtedness and payments, and public safety pension obligations.
If the City is not allowed to increase the tax levy for bond payments (obligations made many years ago), that would further impair the municipality’s general fund, forcing service level drops.
The City’s obligations to police officers and firefighters for their future pensions are at stake, especially when the General Assembly continues to enhance and/or compound every year.
Without the ability to increase revenues for this obligation, the City might have no choice but to reduce the level of service, resulting in less public safety officers on Elmhurst’s streets.
Elmhurst Public Schools
Public Schools Superintendent Dr. David Moyer reported that District 205, which generates 89 percent of its revenue locally, stands to lose $4 million in funding with a property tax freeze.
A two-year property tax freeze will cost District 205 an estimated $1.04 million in Year 1—nearly equal to the annual athletic budget ($1.46 million) adjusted for student fees and revenue—and another $3.17 million in Year 2.
The Year 1 impact equates to 13 full-time equivalent teachers. If the loss in revenue is accounted for through reconsideration of elementary level staffing, average class sizes will increase by nearly two students (24.2 from 22.3). If programs are cut at the high school level to account for the shortfall, one may see the elimination of 65 year-long or 130 semester elective courses.
According to Dr. Brent Clack, Executive Director for the Illinois Association of School Administrators, the Year 1 impact statewide will be a net reduction of $450 million or $100 million more than the state’s 2018 public education funding increase of $350 million.
Owners of a $750,000 home in Chicago six collar counties can expect to save only $750 over two years, while their public school systems will lose some $600 million in property tax revenue.
Elmhurst Park District
Public parks and recreational facilities improve communities across Illinois, and attract new businesses and employees while helping to retain existing businesses and residents.
Elmhurst Park District Director Jim Rogers reported that freezing property taxes will prevent tax revenues from simply keep pace with the cost of inflation, likely resulting in service cuts.
The minimal CPI‐increase permitted by PTELL merely allows the Park District to cover inflationary increases in expenses—such as utility costs, supplies, materials and equipment—and does not increase revenues after expenses are paid.
Service cuts could include, but are not limited to, affordable afterschool and summer school programs, and programs for senior citizens and those with disabilities.
According to the EPD, national and regional studies show that park and recreation services increase property values and the vast majority of Illinois citizens (9 out of 10) agree with those studies.
While a loss of educational opportunity can be viewed by many as a direct result of the property tax freeze, the same, conclusion can be reached with respect to park programs.
Ultimately, a property tax freeze could suppress home values if home buyers notice cuts in valuable services and change their perception of our community.
The Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce and Industry respectfully opposes the property tax freeze.
Click HERE or scroll below to read position statement on the Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce & Industry's opposition to a state-proposed property tax freeze.
Front Royal Warren County Community Profile & Membership Directory 2017
The Front Royal Warren County Community Profile & Membership Directory 2017 is available at the Front Royal Warren County Chamber of Commerce today! Thank you to Niki Foster and Pam Riffle and the Chamber team for their help and direction putting this together!
Town Square Publications (www.townsquarepublications.com) can help you accomplish your chamber's gloss map, directory, community profile or publication needs at no expense to the chamber. Please email John Dussman at jdussman@tspubs.com or call (847)-427-4633.
Rochester Regional Chamber: WineDown Wednesday
Date: January 17, 2018
Time: 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM EST
Website: http://www.rrc-mi.com
Registration: Register Now
Winddown Wednesday Sponson: Ignite
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Join the Chamber and it's members at Wine Down Wednesday! Stop by and wind down with your fellow chamber members for networking hosted at a local venue!
Oshkosh Chamber’s New International Trade Service
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#BestChamber practices: Greater Reston Chamber: 2018 Chamber Day at the Capitol - Save the Date
On January 24th in Richmond, join fellow chamber members along with executives and members from other chambers across the commonwealth for briefings from Virginia's top government leaders.
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Indiana Accepting Nominations for Governor's Century, Half Century Business Awards
INDIANAPOLIS (Jan. 8, 2018) – The state of Indiana is currently accepting nominations for the Governor's Century and Half Century Business Awards, which honor Hoosier businesses that have remained in operation for at least 100 or 50 years, respectively, and have demonstrated a commitment to serving the community.
Governor Eric J. Holcomb will recognize award winners and present a commemorative certificate during a ceremony at the Indiana Statehouse in the spring. Applications are due by Feb. 16.
Qualifying criteria is as follows:
The business must have had continuous operations in Indiana for more than 50 or 100 years by Dec. 31, 2017.
The business must have participated in the same line of work for the duration of its operations. If different, an explanation of the evolution into the current business must be provided on the nomination form.
The business must have had its base in the state of Indiana since it was founded.
Not-for-profit corporations and hospitals are not eligible.
The business must recognize, acknowledge and agree that it is in full compliance with the Indiana Secretary of State, Department of Revenue and the Department of Workforce Development by signing the application.
The business must not have previously received a Century or Half Century award from the state of Indiana. Previous Half Century Award recipients may qualify for a Century Award.
Eligible companies are encouraged to complete the online application. Please visit the IEDC website for additional programmatic details.
For more information about the program or nomination/application details, please contact Elizabeth Patel at EPatel@iedc.in.gov or call 317-232-0160.
City of Ridgeland Chamber of Commerce 2016/2017 Community Map
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City of Ridgeland Chamber of Commerce 2016/2017 Community Map
The new City of Ridgeland Chamber of Commerce 2016/2017 Community Map is available at the City of Ridgeland Chamber today! Thanks to Linda Bynum, Sandy Baas and the chamber team for their help and direction putting this together!
Town SquarePublications (www.townsquarepublications.com) can help you accomplish your chamber's gloss map, directory, community guide or publication needs at no expense to the chamber. Please email John Dussman at jdussman@tspubs.com or call (847)-427-4633.
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Northern Kentucky business leaders and legislators were in Covington on Monday night to talk about the upcoming 2018 session and all agree it will be a tough session with pension reform being the first thing that needs to be resolved.
The Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce event, Where We Stand 2018, outlines the chambers priorities for the upcoming budget session and featured a panel discussion with Sen. Wil Schroder, R-Wilder, Rep. Kim Moser, R-Taylor Mill, Rep. Sal Santoro, R-Union, and Rep. Addia Wuchner, R-Florence.
Wuchner was among the House members to sign a letter sent last week to Gov. Matt Bevin that he not call a special session dealing with pension reform, but wait until the 2018 session which begins on January 2.
Wuchner says the main reason for the request was to save money for the cost of a special session and simply a finished bill was not firmly in place and ready to be scored by certain groups.
“That actually would be the KTRS, the teachers and the state pension, so both get the opportunity to score that,” Wuchner said. “One thing we do know, the pension is going to cost more.”
Everyone agrees that the three main issues in 2018 will be pension reform, the budget, and tax reform.
Moser believes that pension reform needs to be the first thing to be dealt with prior to the budget, because the budget will be dependent on the pension outcome.
As for tax reform, Moser says don’t look for a major overhaul this session.
“We haven’t had exhaustive conversations abut tax reform as we’ve had about the pension, so I expect those conversations will be had and I look forward to getting down to Frankfort and getting into the session so that we can start working on these things,” Moser said. Read more: Spectrum News
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In 2018 the East Mississippi Business Development Corporation (EMBDC) will grow and improve the four separate but interrelated components of our focus areas: 1) Chamber of Commerce. 2) Meridian Main Street. 3) East Mississippi Business Development Foundation, and 4) Economic Development (The Alliance For Growth).
Chamber of Commerce
The “lifeblood” of our organization are the 540 member-businesses of EMBDC. We’ll continue our emphasis on growing our membership and increasing “value” to our existing members.
In an unprecedented move for our organization we now have three full-time staff members and one part-time staff member designated to working directly with our members. We’ll be reaching out to every member in a much more tangible way … we’re adding Business-Before-Hours / Business-After-Hours opportunities … adding a Bridal Show (February) … adding a “Palate-to-Palette” dinner event featuring Robert St. John and Wyatt Waters (March) … surpassing our Home & Garden Show (April) … and adding an “Outdoor Extravaganza” (September).
Meridian Main Street
We’ve just announced our new Main Street Director, Debby Delshad … with Debby in place, we’ll be focused on our first full year of activities. Our efforts will be in conjunction with the city, the county, the Convention Visitors Bureau, along with Mississippi Main Street. We’ll be bringing Main Street businesses together to discuss common issues, areas of interest and also bringing attention to those businesses with successes.
We’ll be creating opportunities to facilitate Façade Grants … downtown clean-ups … and beautification projects. We’ll also be … 1) introducing our “Entrepreneur Winner’s Circle” where start-ups and small businesses are highlighted … 2) marketing school promotions for main street merchants … and 3) continuing to grow “shop local” programs. And, we’ll be partnering with MSU-Meridian presenting education and “how to” seminars.
East Mississippi Business Development Foundation
One of our “best kept secrets” is our foundation. It was created 10-years ago for the purpose of education, leadership and economic development. We’re going to be working with the EMBDF Board to market our foundation across our community with the intent of increasing our funds significantly to improve the reach of our education, leadership and economic development initiatives.
The Alliance For Growth
A regional “business leaders” group in place to support economic development region-wide. Two of our main goals in 2018 include: 1) completing and implementing a regional economic development plan, and 2) fully funding our economic development efforts which will allow us to be proactive in our pursuit of assisting existing industries in their expansions and also in luring new industries into our region. Read more: Meridian Star
Town Square Publications Chamber Membership Directories and Community Profiles: The best in the U.S.
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