A Peoria County committee rejected a proposed property tax hike Tuesday.
Board members voted 7-5 against the 1.5 cent tax increase, which would have raised an additional $500,000 for road projects and repairs. Board Chairman Andrew Rand says the tax revenue would have been a small attempt at addressing a massive problem.
“What this board rejected today was simply pouring a spoonful of water into a bucket full of need, that’s all a half a million dollars would be,” Rand said.
The county estimates there are more than $150 million worth of road projects county-wide.
Opponents of the tax increase suggested proposing hikes at another time, when the economy is on more stable footing. Board member Bob Baietto, who’s served the county for nearly two decades, says there are no other alternatives, given the lack of a state budget.
"I don't hear any alternatives, and you can't wait for the state to bail us out," Baietto said.
The joint committee also voted to approve a $150,000 GAP Loan to Centre State International. The company that maintains snow removal trucks isn’t being paid by the Illinois Department of Transportation due to the budget stalemate. That resolution awaits full board approval.