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Warrenville council approves two 5% taxes to shore up capital maintenance fund
Summary
The council approved a 5% streaming amusement tax and a 5% self-storage facility rental tax to help cover a roughly $1.1 million gap in the city's Capital Maintenance and Replacement Plan (CMRP). Both measures passed after staff said revenue would fund vehicle, street and infrastructure replacements.
The Warrenville City Council on April 20 approved two new 5% local taxes intended to reduce a shortfall in the city’s Capital Maintenance and Replacement Plan.
Finance Director Kevin Dalstrand told the council the first measure would impose a 5% streaming amusement tax on certain online amusements, and the second would create a 5% self-storage facility rental tax applying to about 1,000 local units. Dalstrand said both revenue streams would be dedicated to the CMRP and would not be used for water and sewer. “All of the resulting revenue would fund the CMRP and help close that $1.1 million gap,” he said.
The council adopted the streaming-amusements ordinance amending Title 3, Chapter 12 of the city code (ordinance 02026-25) on a roll-call vote; Alderman Augustovich was recorded as the sole nay. Council then approved the self-storage rental tax ordinance (02026-26) on a separate roll-call vote; again, Alderman Augustovich voted nay.
Supporters said the measures are targeted, predictable revenue sources for maintaining city trucks, streets and non-water infrastructure. “This is to keep the trucks running and to keep the roads in good repair for residents,” one council member summarized during discussion.
Opponents questioned the fairness and timing of new user taxes and asked staff to confirm details such as which amusements are taxable and how the tax will be administered. Dalstrand said the legal definitions and administrative procedures are included in the ordinance and that staff would provide additional clarifying materials as the measures are implemented.
The ordinances take effect according to the timelines in the city code; staff said implementation details and the distribution of revenue will be included in future budget and CMRP reports.
Actions at a glance: the council approved two ordinances to add a 5% streaming-amusements tax and a 5% self-storage rental tax to help fund the CMRP. Alderman Augustovich recorded the only recorded nay votes on both items.
What’s next: staff will proceed with implementation steps, accounting adjustments, and periodic reporting to the council on how the new revenues affect CMRP shortfalls.
