HILLCREST — At its monthly meeting Wednesday, the Hillcrest Village Board resolved to vote again next month on the issue of increasing gaming fees after tabling the issue last month.
The only business in the village with gaming machines is Fat Cat Slots. The ordinance resolution in question would increase the fee the village gets per machine on an annual basis. The fee is currently $25 per machine. The 2023 annual fee would be $150 per gaming machine. In 2024 it would be $200 per machine and in 2025 and the years after that it would be $250 per machine unless amended.
A recent change to state law allowed municipalities like the Village of Hillcrest to increase gaming fees per machine to $250.
The owners of Fat Cat Slots attended last month’s meeting and spoke against the proposed increase before it was tabled. Trustees discussed the possibility of a percentile-style increase instead, but plan to vote on the change as previously written next month.
Village trustees voiced differing opinions on the idea of increasing gaming terminal fees during Wednesday’s meeting.
“We should encourage and support the success of our local businesses, not hinder their growth by increasing costs,” Village Trustee Tim Ball said.
Village Trustee Dan Potter spoke in favor of increasing the fees.
“Every one of our costs for this village has gone up in the past year,” Potter said. “All of our costs have gone up and we need to generate more revenue.”
Solar
Representatives from Enel Green Power attended the meeting and requested extensions on a special use permit and variance that were previously granted by the village due to delays in the work for a planned solar farm (Rochelle Solar) within Hillcrest limits.
The variance the village granted for the solar farm previously was for six months. The special use permit granted was one year and will need to be at least a two-year extension and that would require a change to village policy.
Enel Development Manager Emily Skill said the extension is needed due to interconnection delays with energy grid companies PJM Interconnection and ComEd. Operation is now planned to begin in 2025 after original hopes were this year or 2023. No changes were made to the requests of Enel Green Power besides the time frames.
Village trustees plan to host a public hearing and vote on the matter next month.
Meter increase
Village President Randy Salsbury said the village plans to vote on making an increase of $5 for use of water meters for homes.
“Hopefully by doing this, we’ll be able to generate a little more revenue to get our water tower worked on,” Salsbury said. It would be $5 more per month. This would act as sort of a fundraiser for the water tower. It’s part of a long-term plan. It’s a three-year project.”
Garbage
Village trustees said that Wednesday that due to a new seven-year agreement with Northern Illinois Disposal, residents will be receiving a 95-gallon cart for weekly trash service and a 65-gallon cart for bi-weekly recycling service. Each home is allowed one bulk item per week. Extra carts can be rented annually for $36 with a one-time delivery fee of $60.
All trash must be inside the container and bags and items on the ground will not be collected, with the exception of one large item and bundled cardboard for recycling. As of Sept. 1, recycling will only be collected if it is in the new 65-gallon container. Detailed information on garbage changes will be distributed with upcoming village water bills.
“These changes should address a lot of the mess this community sees on Thursday mornings,” Salsbury said. “It’s a windy community and these are large containers that should help quite a bit and there should be less loose debris around the village.”
Water program
The board unanimously approved a Hillcrest Public Water Supply Program ordinance that will allow it to apply for an Illinois Environmental Protection Agency grant. The ordinance does not involve a water bill increase.
Budget
Trustees unanimously approved the village’s fiscal year 2023 budget during the meeting.
Rochelle News-Leader | Hillcrest board: Gaming fee increases discussed, another vote next month & Latest News Update
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