Joliet City Council Votes 7-1 to Approve the Boundary of Joliet Special Service District
At the Joliet City Council meeting last Tuesday, the council voted 7-1 to approve a proposal amending the boundaries of the city’s current special service area (SSA).
In June, City Manager Jim Hock and Deputy City Manager Steve Jones, presented the council with the proposal to amend the SSA—an area of adjoining properties where a special tax is levied, in commercial or residential districts.
Currently, the SSA pertains to commercial properties in downtown Joliet connected to Ruby Street heading north, from Washington Street on the south and from Des Plaines and Scott streets to the west and the east.
The tax is currently set at 95 cents per $100 of valuated—estimated property value—properties, according to mysuburbanlife.com. Under the proposed SSA, the tax will be levied at the same rate.
However, now commercial properties in commercial and residential districts located on Cass, Collins and South Chicago streets will also be paying the tax and see an 8.6% tax increase.
According to Deputy City Manager Steve Jones, the SSA tax revenues would likely aid the implementation of improvement projects in downtown including:
The redesign and improvement of Chicago Street to potentially create an entertainment district.
The redesign and improvement of the Van Buren Street plaza.
The installation of artificial turf at Silver Cross Field
Maintenance expenses regarding the installation/repair of brick pavers, tree grates, trees, street furniture etc.
According to Jones, any hike in the SSA tax rate would be at the council’s discretion and would likely depend upon how much revenue the SSA generates.
Currently, the SSA generates approximately $400,000 and the expansion would likely generate an extra $230,000.
On October 18, 2016, the council held a public forum to hear and address the concerns of business owners and residents whom the SSA applies to.
“My house is 140 years old. I don’t see how the beautification of the businesses around me have any effect on my property. And there are a lot of people who can’t afford this 95 cents per $100 assessment because, we’re on a fixed budget,” said Michael Davis, a Joliet resident living within the proposed SSA expansion.
“People move in and out of the area and we’re stuck with the taxes,” said Davis.
Robert Hernandez, also a Joliet resident, voiced similar concerns to the council.
“I don’t think that they [business owners on Cass Street, Collins Street and South Chicago Street] should be taxed to provide necessary maintenance for our park and our Slammers Stadium,” Hernandez told the council.
Despite this opposition, Sue Pritz Bornhofen, whose family owns the Jacob Henry Mansion, which is included in the SSA expansion proposal, voiced her support.
“We’re excited, we’re looking forward to the improvements and hope to work with you to bring it forward for the city.”
On November 1, the council voted 7-1 to approve the boundaries of the SSA.
The vote came after City Manager Hock informed the council that the November 1 meeting would be the only opportunity to amend the SSA’s boundaries.
Upon learning this, At-Large Councilwoman Brooke Hernandez Brewer, voiced her concern with the amendment, “Not being able to amend it in the future would be a concern of mine, if we closed the public hearing.”
Her concerned stemmed from the fact that some business owners had requested that they not be apart of the SSA.
In response, City Manager Hock said, “The 60-day period (until the council votes for the adoption of the SSA expansion on December 20) allows for up to 51% of those commercial and residential property owners to file a protest with the city.”
“If we get that 51% we cannot adopt the ordinance,” Hock told Councilwoman Brewer.
The Councilwoman was the sole dissenting vote.
