THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 2008

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Vehicle Sticker Fee Up As City Seeks Revenue

By BOBBY CHILVER

Journal Reporter

Prospect Heights aldermen unanimously approved an increase in vehicle sticker prices Monday as the city continues to seek a steady revenue stream.

The change was discussed during budget talks as a logical place to bring in a little more money to help balance the city's budget, which was in a deficit.

The ordinance raises the regular price of passenger vehicles from $30 to $35 and the late fee from $60 to $70.

During the budget discussions, it was brought up that the stickers had not been raised in awhile and a $5 across the board hike could raise up to $51,500 more for the city.

The City has been forced to examine every little revenue possibility because its non-home rule status drastically limits the ways in which it can bring in money.

Mayor Pat Ludvigsen also discussed possibility of additional revenue during the Committee of the Whole meeting. He asked City Attorney Mike Zimmerman to examine possible options, however they are limited.

Zimmerman explained that other communities can use things like the hotel taxes to fund proj like the hotel taxes to fund projects such as road improvements. However, non-home rule cities like Prospect Heights are only allowed to use hotel tax money to improve tourism, nothing else.

Ludvigsen said the extra revenues are greatly needed to help fund a road program as numerous streets are in need of drastic repairs and the city simply does not have the money for them at this time.

The council is expected to continue its discussion on generating additional revenue at their next Committee of the Whole meeting.