Antioch board adopts state-requested edits to retailers occupation tax ordinance despite one no vote

The Village of Antioch board on a unanimous procedural vote moved, then approved, an amendment to the village's non-home-rule retailers occupation tax and municipal service occupation tax to comply with minor state-requested wording changes needed for state enactment before Jan. 1.

Mayor Gardner brought item 11, described in the agenda as an amendment to Ordinance 25-07-23 and listed on the meeting as Ordinance No. 25-12-77. Trustees waived the second reading and the board adopted the ordinance after roll call. Trustee Pierce recorded the meeting's only recorded no vote; the mayor announced the motion carried.

Trustee Macek reiterated opposition to the tax during discussion, saying he had not supported it previously and did not plan to vote for it now. "I didn't vote for it in the first place, and I don't I don't agree with it," the trustee said during debate.

The board and staff characterized the changes as largely editorial and procedural: one member explained the state asked for minor language edits, such as replacing references to "sales tax" with the more general term "tax," so the state could proceed with implementation.

The ordinance amendment was placed on the agenda after the state returned edits to the village and staff said the changes must be completed before Jan. 1. The board did not amend the substance of the tax; the action was described by staff and trustees as compliance with state procedural requirements.

The board adjourned into a brief executive session on pending litigation following regular business. No further substantive changes to the tax were proposed at the meeting.

The ordinance was recorded on the meeting agenda as Ordinance No. 25-12-77 and amends Ordinance 25-07-23 as noted in the meeting record.