Plainfield Fuel Tax Increase Passes As Mayor Casts Deciding Vote

PLAINFIELD, IL — Village President Mike Collins cast the tie-breaking vote, passing a 50-percent increase in Plainfield's motor fuel tax. The hike will raise an estimated $500,000 per year for road maintenance and resurfacing in the village, according to officials.

The last fuel tax increase was in 2011, when the board at the time approved a 2-cent increase. The latest 2-cent increase brings the fuel tax from 4 cents to 6 cents per gallon, effective on May 1.

According to a memo to the board from Management Services Director Traci Pleckham, the village needs an annual $4 million commitment to maintain its current Pavement Condition Index. The increase from 4 to 6 cents per gallon would raise an estimated $500,000 each year to fund road resurfacing, according to Pleckham.

Village staff said the $4 million in funding will allow the village to resurface roads in 22 entire subdivisions, or 150 lane miles of village roadway, per year.

Trustees Ed O'Rourek, Brian Wojowski and Margie Bonuchi voted against the increase, with Cally Larson, Larry Newton and Bill Lamb voting yes.

Wojowski said his concern was the cumulative cost increases for village residents. "It's the water tax last week, the gas tax this week — what's next?" A water rate increase was approved by the board in January, totaling a $4 per month increase in the average resident's water bill.

Before casting the deciding vote, Collins said he was not in favor of using surplus funds to pay for road work. "Once you start taking the marbles out of the jar, it's hard to put them back in," he said.

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