Iroquois County residents buying items in neighboring counties are helping to pay for public safety in those counties. So, why shouldn’t people visiting and buying goods in Iroquois County return the favor ?

That’s a common-sense question when it comes to the pressing need of Iroquois County needing revenue to maintain services. And yet, some decision-makers insist on their thought of “no new taxes.”

The Iroquois County Board has a decision to make (Tuesday). Either allow voters to decide in a November referendum whether to impose a sales tax for public safety, or continue to wonder where new revenues come from.

The question is always there, for local taxpayers. Why are you willing to pay that tax when you visit other counties to spend money but you refuse to have people coming here pay the same tax to support our need for public safety ?

The Iroquois County Board Finance committee is reluctant to place the matter on the November ballot, where it’s failed twice before. The full County Board will have to decide the matter. And it must be done and certified in the County Clerk’s office by August 25th to make it to the November 8 ballot.

A group of county leaders, including Sheriff Derek Hagen, are in favor of letting the voters decide. Business and civic leaders have also expressed support for allowing the matter to go to voters.

94.1 WGFA