I’d like to take a moment to welcome back all returning NIU students to DeKalb.

Unfortunately, I have some bad news to pass on to you. Since you left town in May 2008, things have gotten a whole lot more expensive in the Barb City. You can thank your elected DeKalb City Council for this.

As of July 1, you are now paying a higher sales tax on goods when you shop in our city. You are also paying a higher sales tax on gasoline, plus an additional two cents per gallon tacked on. If you find that take out pizza more expensive, or your textbooks fees a bit bigger than last spring, it is not your imagination. You can thank your elected Alderman for this gift. Aldermen Bertand Simpson and Brent Keller, who represent the student wards of the city, BOTH voted in favor of these tax hikes along with Acting Mayor Povlsen. (Keller is also your Student Association President).

At the DeKalb City Council meeting this past Monday night, the council was given the opportunity to rescind the taxes, but opted to keep them in place for at least another nine months. So, you now have the honor of going to school and living in the city that has the highest sales tax rate in the whole county! More bad news, this is not the end of the tax increases by any means.

Very soon, the DeKalb City Council will be taking up a measure to pass a substantial property tax hike that will hit your landlords hard and be passed on to you in the form of higher rent. In addition, the council is looking to increase utility taxes and raise the restaurant/bar tax to 10.75 percent. OUCH! When will this stop?

Get involved! Contact Mayor Polvsen, Keller and Simpson and tell them enough is enough. Secondly, make sure you register to vote. In April of 2009 you will have the opportunity to make your voice heard. There is a growing movement to Revoke Home Rule in DeKalb. If passed, the revocation of home rule would force the “Tax and Spend” City Council to come to the citizens to enact future tax increases by referendum only.

Mark Charvat
Alumni, Class of 1985

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