Aldermen must approve the proposed 2006-07 Evanston budget at tonight’s Evanston City Council meeting. It could include a 3.16 percent increase in the city’s portion of the property tax.
Although aldermen can alter the budget throughout the year, they must submit some form of a budget by Tuesday.
The city’s operating budget is set to be about $182 million, in addition to the nearly $29 million the city plans to spend on improving its capital holdings like roads and parks.
The City Council fought the initially proposed property tax hike of about 7 percent at budget meetings throughout January and February with a series of other taxes and fees.
Tonight it also could vote to approve a cigarette tax hike. The tax would increase to $0.50 per pack up from $0.32. Aldermen also could adopt a resolution supporting state legislation to prohibit smoking in all Illinois workplaces.
“Nobody has sympathy for smokers anymore,” Ald. Cheryl Wollin (1st) said.
Evanston seniors and residents with disabilities may have to pay more for discount coupons for taxi rides. Aldermen will vote on a proposal to increase the price to $2.50 up from $2.
People older than 60 and people with disabilities preventing them from using public transportation are eligible for the program if they earn $20,000 or less a year.
The price of coupons has not increased since the early ’90s, said Nancy Flowers, who oversees the program. Between 2004 and 2005 the number of residents using the program increased, partially because the Chicago Transit Authority cut some bus routes in Evanston, she said.
In an effort to make more money from parking fines without discouraging people from visiting shopping districts, aldermen could raise the fine for not paying tickets for expired parking meters on time. On-time payments will remain $10, but after 10 days the fee will go up to $25. Other parking fines could double in cost after 10 days.
Other fees for large construction projects and real estate transfers could also climb.
Aldermen freed up money for the budget by using cash reserves to finance debts and compensate retiring city employees for unused paid leave. Evanston Finance Director William Stafford said the city’s cash reserves are healthy enough for this move to be safe.
Also tonight, months of debate over a Mather LifeWays retirement development could come to an end if aldermen vote to approve the construction.
Mather’s proposal includes two buildings at the intersection of Hinman Avenue and Davis Street. The development includes 245 independent living units, 24 assisted living units and 40 long term care facilities.
Residents have complained the buildings were too large for the surrounding areas and would create a “canyon” effect.
The construction of the building would also demolish The Georgian, a former hotel that is a near century old. Evanston residents protested to have The Georgian declared a historic landmark but were unsuccessful.
Reach Elizabeth Gibson at [email protected] and Lensay Abadula at [email protected].