About 80 people attended Tuesday's meeting at the Bureau County Metro Center, sponsored by the Home Rule Committee, a 12-member citizens committee appointed last summer to study the home rule issue for the Princeton City Council. In September, the committee recommended the city council put the home rule question before voters on the March 20 primary ballot. Members of the committee have now established a "Princeton Residents for Self-Reliance" Facebook page, which addresses the home rule issue.
In an opening 10-minute Power Point presentation, committee member Katie Chamberlain reviewed the committee's research and what the committee sees as the advantages to home rule. All communities which are at least 25,000 in population are automatically home rule communities, and all communities should be treated equally regardless of their size, she said.
"I don't think there is a problem in taking some power away from Springfield and giving it to the local community," Chamberlain added. "Home rule provides a local solution for local issues."
Following Chamberlain's presentation, the audience was given about 60 minutes to make comments and ask questions, with Al Taylor starting the conversation by asking the committee to summarize the advantages to home rule.
In response, committee member Jerry Neumann said non-home rules communities are subject to numerous mandates placed upon them, which a home rule community could reject. Non-home rule communities have more spending regulations placed upon them, while home rule communities can implement taxes to services or products, possibly through a gas tax or hotel/motel tax, in order to generate more money, Neumann said.
"Home rule just gives citizens more choices," Neumann said. "If we vote it down, the only way to generate more money would be to borrow or through more property taxes."
Committee member Joel Quiram agreed, saying Princeton has an unprecedented $28 million in debt, and that number will increase to $40 million with the new water treatment plant being built. More than 60 percent of the debt will be paid by utility bills, with Princeton's electric and water rates continuing to go up, he said.
1 2 3 Next
In an opening 10-minute Power Point presentation, committee member Katie Chamberlain reviewed the committee's research and what the committee sees as the advantages to home rule. All communities which are at least 25,000 in population are automatically home rule communities, and all communities should be treated equally regardless of their size, she said.
"I don't think there is a problem in taking some power away from Springfield and giving it to the local community," Chamberlain added. "Home rule provides a local solution for local issues."
Following Chamberlain's presentation, the audience was given about 60 minutes to make comments and ask questions, with Al Taylor starting the conversation by asking the committee to summarize the advantages to home rule.
In response, committee member Jerry Neumann said non-home rules communities are subject to numerous mandates placed upon them, which a home rule community could reject. Non-home rule communities have more spending regulations placed upon them, while home rule communities can implement taxes to services or products, possibly through a gas tax or hotel/motel tax, in order to generate more money, Neumann said.
"Home rule just gives citizens more choices," Neumann said. "If we vote it down, the only way to generate more money would be to borrow or through more property taxes."
Committee member Joel Quiram agreed, saying Princeton has an unprecedented $28 million in debt, and that number will increase to $40 million with the new water treatment plant being built. More than 60 percent of the debt will be paid by utility bills, with Princeton's electric and water rates continuing to go up, he said.
1 2 3 Next
I have seen fantastic blogs and I have seen not so fantastic blogs. This blog is very informative in many ways and certainloy ranks in the former category. Really appreciate the information your providing use avid readers!
ReplyDeleteHow to Sell Houses San Antonio
This blog post is excellent probably because of how well the subject was developped. I like some of the comments too though I would prefer we all stay on the suject in order add value to the subject!
ReplyDeletehow to repair bad credit
I realise this is off topic but while your blog looks nice it would be far better if you'll be able to use lighter colors too in the design. This will encourage a lot more readers come to check it out more often!
ReplyDeletebest weight loss product