The Dieterich Village Board discussed on Tuesday possibly implementing a 1% grocery tax, as the state recently gave non-home rule communities the option to implement it on their own.
In order for the village board to have a seamless transition from the state collecting the 1% to the village collecting it, it needs to send in a resolution that’s post-marked by Oct. 1. The board does not need a referendum, and it can pause or resume the tax at any time.
The 1% grocery tax is added on to unprepared food, such as candy and frozen pizzas.
According to Illinois Policy’s website, Dieterich accumulates about $15,000 from the 1% grocery tax, but the Illinois Department of Revenue estimates the funds to be around $50,000. However, Village Clerk Brittny Gipson said the Illinois Department of Revenue does not have an accurate way to estimate the funds the village receives.
Most residents get their groceries in Effingham, officials noted.
“Effingham is in a very unique position where most of that sales tax revenue is coming from residents outside of their area,” said Gipson. “You can’t get fresh meat and produce here. Yes, I do my fair share at DG, but most of my groceries are bought in Effingham.”
“I feel most residents are still going to drive to Effingham for most of their groceries,” said Village Trustee Matt Flowers. “I don’t think it’s going to hurt us either way.”
Village Trustee Carrie Galbraith agreed with Flowers’ point of residents doing their regular grocery shopping in Effingham.
No official decision was made about the grocery tax. The board will discuss the item more at its next meeting.
The board then discussed how to go about repairs for the front wall of the mausoleum in the village’s cemetery. The mausoleum holds eight burials: four from the Wands family and four from the Field family. The Wands family has been contacted and wants to help repair it, but the Field family has yet to make a decision. The two families are unrelated; the Field family bought the mausoleum spaces and sold the extra spaces to the Wands family.
The village board needs permission from both families in order to make the necessary upgrades because they can’t fix only half of it and because the mausoleum is considered private property. The Wands family want to do their part, but they don’t want to also do the Field family’s part.
Gipson will be doing more research on how much the project would cost, different ways to complete the necessary upgrades and the regulations surrounding mausoleums.
In other news, the board is considering donating to C.E.F.S. Meals on Wheels to help the program reach its $70,000 goal. Meals on Wheels wants to expand its program because its waitlist has over 200 people. It costs $40 per week in donations for a senior to receive meals, $170 per month or $2,000 per year.
However, the board’s auditor has questioned some of the board’s donations in the past, so Gipson will be gathering more information on this, as well.
The next Dieterich Village Board meeting is scheduled for Sept. 15 at 6:30 p.m.