Wauconda board approves redevelopment amendment and two 1% local taxes; consent agenda passes

The Wauconda Village Board on Aug. 18 approved a set of measures aimed at supporting downtown redevelopment and bolstering municipal revenues.

Staff described and the board approved a resolution amending the redevelopment agreement with Bradford DIR LLC to provide additional TIF-eligible reimbursements for the Brown Street and Liberty Street project, authorizing up to $1,250,000 in reimbursement for eligible costs, removing a named Starbucks requirement from the agreement and requiring the developer to open two restaurant or retail food-service establishments in 2026–27. "[The amendment] authorize[s] up to $1,250,000 in reimbursement for TIF eligible costs to redevelop the property at Brown Street and Liberty," said Katrina Metz, speaking for village staff.

The board also voted to reimplement a 1% municipal grocery tax that staff said historically contributed roughly $250,000–$300,000 in sales-tax revenue to the village general fund; that tax collection will begin Jan. 1, 2026, if filed with the state. Metz told the board the measure is intended to replace a statewide grocery tax the state will eliminate and to provide ongoing general-fund revenue for day‑to‑day services.

Separately, the board adopted a 1% local retailer/service occupational tax available to non‑home‑rule municipalities for specified uses such as roads, bridges, sidewalks, water and sewer projects, stormwater and wastewater facilities, property-tax relief, and (through 2031) municipal operations. Staff said the tax would bring the village roughly in line with neighboring communities; no reliable numeric estimate appears in the meeting transcript.

Votes at a glance

- Consent agenda (items a–c): approved, roll-call vote carried. - Resolution: second amendment to Bradford DIR LLC redevelopment agreement (TIF reimbursement up to $1,250,000): approved, roll-call vote carried. - Ordinance: reimplement 1% grocery tax (effective Jan. 1, 2026): approved, roll-call vote carried. - Ordinance: adopt 1% local retailer/service occupational tax (non-home-rule authority): approved, roll-call vote carried.

Each measure passed by roll-call vote during the meeting. The board’s roll calls were conducted after motions and seconds; the clerk recorded affirmative responses and the mayor declared the motions carried.

Officials said the grocery and sales‑tax measures are intended to shore up general‑fund and capital funding for essential services and capital programs, including the road-improvement program. The Bradford amendment includes a letter‑of‑credit clawback to protect the village if the developer does not meet the requirement to open the two specified establishments in the stated timeframe.

The meeting continued with the mayor’s report, community announcements and other routine business.