The Pekin City Council voted five to two Monday night to table a decision on a sales tax hike until next spring. The proposed half-percent increase would have raised $1.6 million. That new annual revenue would be split between infrastructure and economic development projects. The council instead wants to conduct an efficiency study to find new revenues before considering a sales tax hike.
Supporters of the sales tax increase say it would bring needed revenue for lagging road projects and help attract businesses. Those against the proposal say both those areas show lackluster results at current funding levels.