Patch Election Q&A: Rob Watermann on Question #4

The question:

What are your thoughts on a vehicle sticker system, such as the one Evanston uses, that would impose a “wheel tax” on vehicle owners? More broadly, how do you feel about increasing taxes on village residents?

I strongly oppose a vehicle sticker program and would never vote for one. Vehicle stickers are a nuisance as well as difficult to enforce.  We must live within our means when it comes to taxation and our current economy.

In our area there have been local taxing districts that have passed referendums when they have communicated clearly to the residents. If people see a direct benefit they can make a decision of whether to support or not support. The village has discussed loosely the possibility of asking the voters for a sales tax increase referendum. I have asked staff to create a short and long term list of municipal needs. I believe in strategic planning and the need to estimate life spans of our entire public infrastructure. Whether it is roads, machinery, vehicles, water system or our facilities we must have a replacement plan in place and be aware of life cycles and be prepared for their replacement. It is then when we have a firm understanding of our liabilities and vulnerabilities that we can prioritize through current and future budgets our municipal needs. If those needs vastly exceed forecasted budget amounts, we can discuss the need to ask the residents for an increase. Ultimately, the voting residents will decide what is best for the community.

I am very proud that in the ten years that I have served the residents of Montgomery our tax rate has dropped 20.49% overall. When you think of all the responsibilities that the village has and just to name a few: from roads which in perspective cost roughly $350,000 a mile to replace, to the full time police and dispatch staff, snow, ice and leaf removal, and 64 employees to serve 18,000+ residents I think that is commendable. I ask that you look closely at your tax bills to compare. I paid $228.46 to the Fox Valley Park District, $224.07 to Waubonsee Community College and only $204.25 to the Village of Montgomery. I certainly get a lot more daily from our village compared to the park district and community college and for comparison I paid $2,150.13 to the East Aurora School District. Almost 10 times more than what I pay to the Village of Montgomery.