Hearing on sales tax district at 6 p.m. tonight
Residents of Du Quoin, particularly those owning businesses from East Franklin Street south to the intersection of Rtes. 51 and 14 are reminded of a hearing at 6 p.m. today on creation of a new business district on the city's south side that will raise sales taxes by probably one-half cent in that district.
That sales tax would be collected by the Illinois Department of Revenue, then returned to the City of Du Quoin for use in redeveloping that area as an incentive for businesses to locate in Du Quoin.
The city can use the new revenue as it sees fit to help private business and to improve public infrastructure.
The program could allow the city council to add up to a 1 percent sales tax to the existing 8.25 percent sales tax, but the council and Mayor Rex Duncan seem to have settled on a half-cent. That will ad 5 cents to every $100 purchase.
The higher sales tax in that district would become effective Jan. 1, 2014.
The hearing is being held today, Sept. 16, 2013, at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 302 E. Poplar St., Du Quoin Illinois
According to city administrator Brad Myers, the purpose of the hearing is to gain public input on consideration of the "Du Quoin Business District, Business District Plan" and the designation of the "Du Quoin Business District".
Here are the facts about the hearing.
1) Discussion, led by Gene Norber of EDR & Associates, the City's Business District consulting firm, about the establishment and implementation of a Du Quoin Business District. Norber will discuss the following topics.
a. The name of the proposed plan: The Du Quoin Business District, Business District Plan, City of Du Quoin, Illinois.
b. Description of the boundaries of the proposed business district.
c. The purpose of the plan: The Plan calls for the use of sales tax revenues generated by the imposition of a 1.0% Business District Retailers' Occupation Tax, 1.0% Business District Service Occupation Tax and a 1.0% Hotel Operators' Occupation Tax (along with any other available legally permitted funds) on an annual basis, to pay for certain specific costs related to the redevelopment of the District, or to amortize bonds or other obligations used to finance specific project costs related to the redevelopment of the District.
d. Through the use of the District, the city anticipates being able to assist in the redevelopment and physical improvement of this portion of the City. A combination of public improvements and private uses is anticipated within the district.
e. To eradicate blighting conditions, assure opportunities for development or redevelopment encourage private investment and attract sound and stable business and commercial growth within the District.
2) Public Questions and Input.
3) Adjourn and proceed to special meeting of the Du Quoin City Council where the proposal will be voted upon.
The only item on that follow-up meeting is: Discuss and consider for approval Ordinance 2013-R09-02, Adopting a Business District Plan, making findings of fact, designating and establishing a Business District, authorizing the levy and collection of sales tax within the district, providing for further authority and establishing an effective date and other related matters.