Hinsdale residents will be experiencing deja vu when they go to the polls this February.
Village trustees again are seeking a 1 percent sales tax increase after unanimously approving to go to referendum at its Oct. 16 meeting. The question will be before voters in the Tuesday, Feb. 5, primary election.
This same question appeared on the ballot last November, and 69 percent of voters said no. But this time there may be more incentive to say yes.
The village is working on implementing a 17-year, $60 million comprehensive infrastructure plan to replace Hinsdale’s streets and fix the storm-water problems. To generate revenue for these capital projects, the Finance Commission recommended the referendum.
Assistant Village Manager Doug Cooper said officials are estimating on an annual basis the increase would bring in about $1.4 million to support the infrastructure plan.
Trustee Vic Orler said the key will be educating residents.
“We recognize we have an uphill battle here,” Orler said. “But we hope and expect that we’ll have a group of independent residents that will work independent of the board in promoting this. We as a board will do whatever we can to help educate residents.”
Orler added the research they have done shows about two-thirds of the village’s retail sales are made to shoppers who do not reside in Hinsdale.
But some local businesses question if this is the right move. While food, drugs and automotive sales would be exempt from this 1 percent increase, clothing and other retailers worry about an impact in their sales.
“People are comfortable with the sales tax now,” said Marta Szulc-Ziegler, assistant manager of the Gap in downtown Hinsdale. “I don’t think it would be a good idea to increase it.”
Linda Calabrese, manager of Papyrus in Hinsdale agreed, saying the tax is already high enough.
The Village Board and staff members, however, feel raising the sales tax compared to other taxes would ease the burden on residents given the number of nonresidents shopping in Hinsdale.
Trustee Bob Schultz agreed a sales tax increase is going to be difficult sell to the community. He was optimistic if the village and a citizen’s committee, which he will serve as the Village Board liaison too, works hard to educate voters, the measure will pass.
