Residents To Vote 'Yes' Or 'No' On Flossmoor Sales Tax Increase

FLOSSMOOR, IL -- Flossmoor voters must decide next month whether to green-light a local sales tax increase that officials say will help stabilize the village's finances for the future.

The March 20 Primary Election ballot will include a village of Flossmoor referendum asking voters whether to move forward with a "Non-Home Rule" 1 percent sales tax boost. If approved, one penny per dollar would be tacked onto general merchandise at local retailers. It would not apply to the sale of most food, medical appliances and prescription and over-the-counter drugs.

As a non-home rule government, Flossmoor must gain public approval to implement the increase. A "yes" vote would lead to an ordinance that would got into effect in July. Officials estimate that the change would generate about $550,000 each year.

A village press release issued late last month reiterated both the need for the tax, and that officials' No. 1 priority is to maintain "the fiscal capacity to provide high-quality services." The referendum, in part, is a response to Flossmoor's 2017-adopted strategic plan, which identifies financial health as a critical issue.

"Community feedback in surveys and in public meetings showed that residents are most concerned about property taxes, but also place a high priority on fixing the village’s infrastructure, maintaining the condition of the village, police visibility and patrol, and fire and emergency response," the release said.

Officials say the increase would capitalize on the recent Meijer-anchored economic development on Flossmoor's southwest side, which attracts a number of customers who live outside village borders.

"During its strategic planning discussions, the village board was sensitive to placing financial stress on our residents, recognized that this tax would be shared with a large non-resident population, and therefore, supported this revenue option above others," the release said.

Flossmoor's $11.4 million general fund budget pays for day-to-day services such as such as law enforcement officers, emergency responders and public works. Officials say that although they've worked to improve aged infrastructure, more work is needed on streets, sidewalks, water mains and sewers.

"As a small, non-home rule community, the village’s revenues are limited, and many Illinois municipalities are seeing that their once-dependable revenues are either flat or declining," the release says. "A major revenue source, the state-shared income tax, has been reduced by 10 percent by the State of Illinois and continues to be under threat by the State."

Voters must make the ultimate choice, though. They'll face the following referendum question in their voting booths this March:

Shall the Village of Flossmoor, Cook County, Illinois, impose a 1% Non-Home Rule Municipal Retailers’ Occupation Tax and a Non-Home Rule Municipal Service Occupation Tax (commonly known as local sales tax) for expenditure on Property Tax Relief, Public Infrastructure and Municipal Operations in accordance with the provisions of Sections 8-11-1.1 through 8-11-1.4 of the Illinois Municipal Code (65 ILCS 5/8-11-1.1 through 65 ILCS 5/8-11-1.4)?

For more information, the village of Flossmoor website features a list of frequently asked questions and a press release about the board's approval of the referendum question.