Investing in Infrastructure

Why does Roselle need to increase funding for infrastructure improvements?

Wastewater Treatment & Collection:  IEPA-mandated removal of nitrogen and phosphorous from wastewater at both Devlin and Botterman Wastewater Treatment Plant; Expansion and equipment upgrades at wastewater treatment plants to keep up with regulations and future capacity needs. Learn more:  Wastewater: Critical Improvements + Funding Sources (PDF)

Streets:  Additional funding needed to address pavement conditions. Learn More: Streets: Improvement Programs + Funding Needs (PDF)

• Water System: IEPA-mandated deadlines to replace existing lead service lines 
• Stormwater: Mitigate stormwater flooding within Devlin Drainage Basin and Seasons 4 Drainage Basin

General Questions

What is home rule?

Illinois municipalities are either home rule or non-home rule. Home rule is automatically granted to municipalities with a population over 25,000. Because Roselle's population is less than 25,000, our community is a non-home rule municipality. Communities with populations below 25,000 may become home rule by passing a referendum. 2/3 of home rule municipalities in Illinois gained home rule status via referendum. 

Home rule municipalities have more authority to address local issues through policies and regulations and can create new revenue streams to reduce reliance on property taxes and resident fees. Non-home rule municipalities, on the other hand, have fewer tools to address local issues and are more restricted when it comes to creating new revenue streams.

Are other nearby communities home rule?

Nearly every community that borders Roselle is home rule. Bloomingdale gained home rule status via referendum in 1996; the other neighboring home rule communities gained their status by reaching more than 25,000 residents.

If the home rule referendum passes, is Roselle permanently a home rule municipality?

No. The Board could pursue a referendum to remove home rule status in a future election. Voters may also initiate a referendum to remove home rule status by filing a petition signed by a number of qualified electors. An election to change from a home rule municipality to a non-home rule municipality may only be held once in every 47-month period per state of Illinois Election Code.

If voters reject home rule, could the Board put home rule on the ballot again?

Yes, however, a home rule referendum may not be held more than once in any 23-month period per state of Illinois Election Code.

Home Rule & Resident Cost Implications

How would home rule affect property taxes?

At their Nov. 6, 2023 meeting, the Board passed a resolution stating they will continue to follow the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (PTELL) that Roselle is currently subject to as a non-home rule municipality, even if Roselle becomes a home rule unit. Under PTELL, any increase in property tax collection has to be no more than 5% or the rate of inflation in the consumer price index, whichever is less.

There is no evidence that home rule municipalities in Illinois have higher or faster growing property taxes than non-home rule municipalities. Home rule municipalities may raise or lower their property tax rate, but many home rule communities are able to reduce their reliance on property tax revenue by using their home rule authority to create new streams of revenue.

How would home rule affect CIS rates?

The Capital Improvement Surcharge (CIS) on your utility bill goes directly to the Water/Sewer Capital Projects Fund, which is used for improvements to our water and wastewater systems. At their Nov. 6, 2023 meeting, the Board passed a resolution establishing a not-to-exceed limit for CIS rates from 2025-2029:

• 2025 - $9.00 per 1,000 gallons
• 2026 - $9.25 per 1,000 gallons
• 2027-29 - $9.50 per 1,000 gallons

 If the Village gains home rule status, CIS would be used to close the gap between sales tax revenue earned and total revenue needed for mandated wastewater improvements. The more sales tax revenue earned, the less the Village would need to rely on CIS funding. This could allow CIS rates to stabilize, spreading any rate increases out over longer periods of time.

If the Village does not gain home rule status, the CIS will remain the only revenue source for water/sewer infrastructure improvements. CIS rates would have to increase dramatically, reaching $20 per 1,000 gallons by 2032, to meet revenue demands of mandated wastewater projects.

Do other home rule communities have a CIS or other user fees that support infrastructure improvements?

Yes. While each municipality handles infrastructure funding differently, many nearby communities use revenue from user fees to support infrastructure improvements and/or repay debt from past infrastructure projects:

If Roselle becomes home rule, will the vehicle sticker program end?

At their Nov. 6, 2023 meeting, the Board passed a resolution about the vehicle sticker program: The Board will evaluate by the end of 2025 whether the vehicle sticker program can end without negatively impacting core municipal services and infrastructure improvements that are currently funded by vehicle sticker revenue.

Home Rule & Local Authority

What kinds of regulations and policies can home rule municipalities create that non-home rule municipalities cannot?

Home rule municipalities may pass ordinances regulating the areas of building, zoning, sanitation, nuisance, civil disturbance and all other matters of public health, safety, morals and welfare unless specifically restricted by state law (e.g., home rule municipalities cannot set a different age minimum for alcohol purchase/consumption). For example, home rule communities may establish:

1.  Crime-Free Housing ordinances, which can require rental property inspections and can create stronger regulations for short-term rentals.

2.  Licensing ordinances for businesses and landlords, which can require health and safety inspections and can grant municipalities the ability to revoke a business license in following appropriate due process.

3.  Consumer protection criteria for the sale of a home, which can grant municipalities the ability to require a home inspection as part of the sale.

What are the limitations of home rule?

Real Estate Transfer Tax: Home rule units may only impose this tax after passing a separate referendum to do so. The Village Board has expressed no interest in establishing a Real Estate Transfer tax.

Changing Form of Government: Home rule municipalities that wish to alter their form of government are able to do so only after passing a separate referendum.

How does the Village fund infrastructure improvements? Infrastructure improvements are primarily supported by one of the following funds: The General Capital Projects Fund is supported by utility taxes (municipal natural gas, electric, telephone) and is used for projects associated with Village buildings, annual programs like yard flooding assistance and sidewalk replacement, and storm sewer improvements. The Water/Sewer Capital Projects Fund is supported by the capital improvement surcharge (CIS) on your water bill and is used for projects related to our water system, as well as wastewater collection and treatment. The Motor Fuel Tax Fund is supported by the statewide sales tax on motor fuel and can be used for projects related to highways or road work, such as our annual street improvement program. For more information about each fund, view the Village's FY 2023 Budget.

Do my property taxes fund infrastructure improvements? No. Approximately 10% of your property tax bill goes to the Village; property taxes go into the General Fund, which is used to cover government operating expenses like personnel (including Public Works, Police, Fire, and pensions) and contractual services (such as paramedic services and 9-1-1 dispatch, snow removal, and more). For more information,  view the Village’s FY 2023 Budget.

Is the Village planning to increase property taxes to fund infrastructure improvements?

No, the Village is not considering levying additional property taxes to secure funds for infrastructure projects.

Is the Village considering increasing other rates/fees to fund infrastructure improvements?

Potentially. Some options for securing necessary revenue could include rate or fee increases that would need Village Board approval. Other options would require voter approval and would be decided by a future referendum. Ultimately, the Village wants to hear from the community before choosing a path forward. The Village will solicit feedback on funding options from forum attendees and will continue the conversation with residents over the coming months.

The Village systematically reviews infrastructure needs to prioritize and plan for future updates. View the 2023-2027 Capital Improvement Plan in the FY 2023 Budget, which also includes more information about the annual infrastructure programs above.