Belleville holds public hearing on proposed downtown Special Service Area; owners voice concern over tax impact

Belleville officials held a public hearing on Nov. 3 about a proposed Special Service Area, called SSA No. 4, that would levy property taxes for downtown improvements and could include issuance of bonds. Eric Schauster, director of grants and special projects, told the council the district’s anticipated maximum annual levy is $150,000 “collectively for the entire district” covering “300 plus properties.”

The city presented the proposal under what Schauster identified from the transcript as “35 I S C S 200 article 27 special service area tax law,” and explained the SSA would be administered by the Downtown Belleville Development Commission (DBDC), a nine‑member panel with seven property owners, the ward alderperson and the mayor. Schauster said petitions objecting to creation or levy must be filed within 60 days: a valid petition requires signatures from at least 51% of registered voters living in the area and 51% of property owners of record.

Many downtown property owners and business operators spoke during the hearing. Rachel Speicancher, who said she recently purchased the former Club Estimates on Second and West Main, said she was “just really concerned about more paying more taxes out,” and asked that property owners have representation and access to information about proposed projects. Connie Tilley, a long‑time taxpayer in the district, said past SSA funds were used for streetscape and facade work and that the new district should ensure projects benefit both east and west sides of downtown.

Other speakers, including restaurant and theater owners, credited the previous SSA with helping downtown’s outdoor dining, renovations and commercial vitality. Benny Park said the district “does help our downtown” and that “when that passing body was kind of inundated… I was really upset” about earlier disruptions to the SSA process, but that the district’s investments supported parking and infrastructure improvements many businesses rely on.

City staff and the DBDC emphasized that the $150,000 figure represents a district‑wide maximum and is not a per‑property amount; the presenters suggested property owners consult their 2023 tax bills (paid in late 2024) to estimate potential effects. The hearing was informational; Schauster said that absent a qualifying petition the city may adopt ordinances creating the SSA no sooner than 60 days after the hearing.

The public hearing was followed by the council’s regular agenda and public participation period.