Editor:

I voted “no” for the recent half-cent sales tax increase. The request may have been reasonable, but no plan was put forward detailing the use of the newly-required funds. The recent regional economic circumstances and the performance of the city’s economic development choices and expenditures also influenced my “no” vote.

The regional economic conditions show increasing utilities, i.e. the cost of natural gas/propane and electricity, increasing housing prices, rent, and county real estate taxes. While inflation on consumables/durable goods and gasoline prices have lowered, they remain elevated due to supply chain issues and simple greed.

Those on a service and fixed incomes do feel those increases. Recently extending the 1984 declaration of the blighted area by the city, the historical district and close outlying areas allow several financial tools to be available i.e., Tax Increment Financing (TIF).

In fact, it was the availability of TIF that was touted as the reason to extend the blight declaration. In general, there have been great gains to the historical district from participation with government grants and private investment.

At the city’s March 26 council work session, it was learned that a sales tax increase was preferred to requesting TIF funds. The sole reason for abandoning the TIF funding approach was stated as being too difficult to implement. (By the way, gaining access to public money — no matter what the means — should not be easy.)

Asking the public to provide additional funds may be reasonable if the taxpayer understands the value of its contribution. No plan for the proposed tax increase was provided even when asked by city council members.

Since there were no plans explaining how the additional funds were to be used, I studied the recent financial investments by the city of Evanston. They included nearly five million to date on the Shades brewery with more city investment required.

Pickleball courts were constructed for a little under $500,000. An annual $400,000 deficit for a budgeted $1 million yearly for the city-operated/owned golf business. (I have not included the near $3 million annually that Parks and Recreation spends on maintaining golf course grounds; this is the city’s largest city park expenditure).

There’s also a $300,000 city match to a grant to establish a trailhead at the Evanston Roundhouse. Interestingly, this trailhead starts at the Roundhouse and ends at the Evanston Police Department. It is a trail that you will not tire or get lost; however, do not cross the active Union Pacific tracks.

Outside game tables, most likely to support the new Shades brewery at the Roundhouse, were paid for by an AARP grant. (I would have thought a better location for their use would be at the Evanston Train Depot).

What I did not find was significant investment is the Evanston’s Downtown Historical District, the Bear River Park community or support infrastructure for local neighborhood businesses.

I believe the request to consider a tax increase at this time, no matter how small, demonstrated the city’s stone deaf and blind to the constituents’ financial burdens. Remember those who have uncommitted resources can always donate to your favorite cause.

David M. Slaughter

Evanston