Village of Westmont
Date Issued: Dec. 4, 2014
There will be a presentation regarding the future of stormwater management in Westmont on December 11 at the Westmont Village Board meeting. “During the month of January, the Village Board will need to decide if a referendum question will be placed on the Spring 2015 ballot,” reports Village Manager Stephen May. “The focus of our current conversation is to select a methodology that ensures a dedicated revenue stream to fund our future stormwater management program. The board is considering two options for funding these projects - either a stormwater utility fee or a local sales tax.”
In October of 2013, the ad hoc Community Stormwater Management Committee, comprised of citizens from throughout the community, recommended that the Village pursue the development of a Stormwater Utility. A Stormwater Utility would provide the community with a dedicated, on-going revenue stream by instituting a monthly fee that would be earmarked for stormwater management. It is estimated that the majority of Westmont single-family residences would pay an estimated $10 per month. During the Spring and Summer of this past year, Westmont contracted the AMEC Consulting Firm to conduct a Stormwater Utility Feasibility Study and to provide details regarding the creation of the utility. AMEC made a formal presentation to the Village Board in July.
“After the AMEC presentation, it was suggested that maybe a local sales tax might be another consideration in regard to financing our stormwater management program,” says Village Trustee and Administration-Finance Committee Chair Jim Addington. “There are several positives to the sales tax option including the fact that guests to the community making retail purchases would be contributing to our stormwater management funding solution. We’ve been asked if having an additional local sales tax would harm our local business community, and we don’t think it will.”
Approximately 70% of the communities in DuPage County have a local general sales tax. The majority of DuPage communities that do have a local sales tax charges a rate of 1% or more. Currently, Westmont does not have a local general sales tax. “If a 1% local sales tax were approved, it would simply allow us to better compete with area communities by generating revenue that would be dedicated to stormwater infrastructure improvements,” states Mayor Ron Gunter. “If additional monies are not secured, then we will not be able to address these problems. Ultimately, it is the role of the Village to provide information regarding the options and it will be up to the voters to decide.”
The December 11 Board Meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. and the Stormwater Management Presentation will be on the agenda that evening. The meeting will be at the Village Hall, 31 W. Quincy Street, second floor. The public is invited to attend and participate in this important community discussion.
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Contact: Larry McIntyre
Village of Westmont Communications Director
630-417-0280, lmcintyre@westmont.il.gov
