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Council extends Westlake Special Service Area to 2055 and approves 1% SSA sales tax despite lone dissent

Peoria City Council · March 25, 2026

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Summary

By majority vote (1 nay), the council extended the Westlake Special Service Area and approved a fourth amendment including a 1% SSA sales tax rate; supporters cited private investment and jobs while a dissenting member voiced concern about passing ongoing consumer levies and transparency for shoppers.

Peoria City Council voted March 24 to extend the Westlake Special Service Area (SSA) and to approve a fourth amendment to the Westlake SSA redevelopment agreement that includes an SSA sales‑tax component. Corporation Counsel Hayes described the mechanism: the city grants private activity bond volume or an SSA levy structure that allows sales tax to be used for debt service and special services tied to the shopping center.

Hayes said the extension would run until 2055 (a 30‑year extension from today) and that SSA revenues fund services and capital items negotiated between owner/operator and staff. "When it was originally established in 2010 it was to run for 30 years ... now they're asking to extend this special service area," Hayes explained. Hayes also said staff is now requiring itemized annual reporting of expenditures to increase transparency.

Supporters, including Council member Allen and other members, praised the Westlake operator’s private investment and the SSA’s role in sustaining jobs and retail activity. Council member Reigenbach highlighted private capital invested in Westlake and said the SSA has demonstrable economic impact; Council member Euler urged other centers to consider similar tools.

Council member Carmona voted against the extension, citing consumer impacts of an added 1% sales tax and a desire for greater transparency. "This is ... an extra 1% that goes to the unknowing consumer," Carmona said, urging clearer disclosure on receipts.

The motions on items a (extension) and b (fourth amendment) passed after debate; council recorded one nay (Carmona) and otherwise approved the measures.