The word “tax” is often considered a bad word in politics and among citizens. Cancer is to health as tax is to politics. Tax is an evil word.
It is not shocking that residents were against a 0.25 percent sales tax increase, which the village board approved Monday night, within commercial regions in Morton to support a more than a $400,000 improvement campaign throughout the village’s shopping districts.
Some have gone as far as to say that they would no longer shop in Morton if the village voted in favor of the sales tax increase. That is to say, such an increase would make those residents so angry that they would be willing to consume more gas and pay even higher sales taxes to shop in a surrounding community. That is a thoughtless reaction.
Tax-rate increases are certainly the last thing residents want to hear, because we all know taxes never return to their previous rates. But, sales taxes are a little different than, say, property taxes.
Sales taxes are not just bestowed on local shoppers. They are coming out of the pockets of interstate travelers, tournament guests and anyone who happens to purchase something in Morton.
The increase by one-quarter percent is merely something residents would take into account when they go through their annual budget, though, after years and years of shopping at Morton’s businesses, the dollars can add up. But, even then, the total still would not be considered by a typical shopper.
A walk through downtown Morton might explain a little bit more about why such an increase is necessary. Count the number of buildings that are unoccupied. Compare the percent of retail shops to non-retail shops. Then, ask yourself, how the heck is Morton going to survive without faith in its own Main Street?
There are some very serious concerns surrounding many of Morton’s retail areas — not just Main Street.
Morton would not be asking for such an increase if enough residents were shopping in their own town. Nearly everyone is guilty of distributing their money elsewhere.
If a resident says he or she will no longer shop in Morton because they had to spend an extra quarter to purchase a $100 product, it is almost a slap in the face to business owners struggling to stay afloat. Many are reaching out to the community for support.
Residents would pay much more in another surrounding community with even higher rates. Peoria, Washington and East Peoria’s sales tax rates sit at 8 percent. If sales taxes are the deciding factor in where we purchase our goods, then we should never shop anywhere but Morton. At 7 percent, Morton will still have a considerable advantage.
Instead of considering the “tax” word as a bad word in this instance, perhaps consider it a good word, and one that could substantially increase the retail potential in Morton.
Best of all, this is one tax increase that residents will certainly notice when businesses begin to apply for applications.
Morton, Ill. —
