Nearly a month of debate has led up to this Monday night’s city council meeting in which aldermen should determine whether DeKalb residents will see an increase in both motor fuel and city sales tax.

The plan calls for a 2-cent per gallon increase for DeKalb residents at the gas pump and a 1/4 percent increase in city sales tax. The increase in motor fuel tax for an average vehicle likely would cost anywhere from 25 to 50 cents more for a full tank.

Also, city sales tax, as cited by 7th Ward Alderman James Barr in an earlier interview, realistically would cost about 25 cents for every $100 spent at a local outlet.

Any decision made by the council involving a modification to the motor fuel tax must be determined by Sept. 20 as cited by City Manager Jim Connors. Once determined, the motor fuel tax increase would take place within 30 days of approval. The installation of a potential city sales tax increase would be executed Jan. 1, 2004.

TIF monies dispersed

The council will determine if the city of DeKalb is to sign an agreement with Kishwaukee College ($200,000), the DeKalb Park District ($150,000), the Sanitary District ($50,000) and the library ($50,000) to provide those aforementioned dollar amounts annually through Tax Incremental Finances Revenue (TIF) district. The agreement would be good from fiscal year 2004 up until fiscal year 2010.

Working for safety

The council will consider an agreement between the city of DeKalb and the NIU Board of Trustees for the city to provide fire protection and ambulance services once again for NIU between July 1, 2003 and June 30, 2004. The university would make incremental payments totaling $408,470.36 throughout the year-long agreement.

The pride of DeKalb

The council also will consider redesigning the DeKalb water tower on Corporate Drive. An additional $14,000 has been quoted by the contractor of the project to put the Huskie logo facing north.

The regular meeting of the DeKalb City Council will take place at 7 p.m. Monday at the Council Chambers, 200 S. 4th St.