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Council introduces 1% grocery tax ordinance; schedules special Sept. 15 vote
Summary
Council introduced Ordinance 39-0-25 to continue a 1% local grocery tax effective Jan. 1, 2026. The measure was introduced after staff presented revenue tradeoffs; council then scheduled a special meeting Sept. 15 for final action. Roll call introduction passed 6-3.
Council member Nussbaum moved introduction of Ordinance 39-0-25 to adopt a 1% grocery tax effective Jan. 1, 2026; the motion was seconded and, after discussion with finance staff, the ordinance was introduced on a 6-3 roll call. Clayton Black, presenting midyear finances, said the city's general-fund revenues through June were 54% of budget and noted $6.2 million in unbudgeted permit revenue from Northwestern projects that had aided the midyear position. Black told council that raising $2.5 million through a property-tax increase would equate to about $78 per year for a $400,000 home; he said the average Evanston household would pay about $66 per year if all groceries were purchased inside the city.
