Tax Abated, Parade Approved, Mandates Rejected

Sep 8
2 min read

Introduction

On January 7, 2022, the St. Charles Government Operations Committee convened to discuss key municipal matters, including membership in the Intergovernmental Personnel Benefits Cooperative (IPBC), property tax abatement, St. Patrick's Day Parade planning, Airboat Production movie logistics, and vaccine mandate discussions. The meeting featured robust public input, particularly regarding vaccine policies.

Human Resources: IPBC Membership

The committee approved the city’s membership in the Intergovernmental Personnel Benefits Cooperative (IPBC).

The city’s self-insured health plan was experiencing high claims and rising stop-loss insurance costs (~$650,000, projected 25-30% annual increases).
Membership in IPBC spreads risk across multiple municipalities and reduces the projected health insurance increase to 3.4%, compared to 6.6% if remaining self-insured.
Additional stop-loss coverage was confirmed to ensure a smooth transition.

The move aims to reduce costs while maintaining comprehensive employee benefits.

Finance: 2021 Property Tax Abatement

The committee approved an ordinance to abate part of the 2021 property tax.

Abatement totaled $10,855,111, covering principal and interest on annual bond debt.
Alternative revenue sources like utility fees, Tax Increment Financing (TIF), and the general fund were used to relieve the property tax burden on residents.
The abatement is part of routine annual financial management and will be repeated for future bond issuances.

This decision supports fiscal responsibility and predictable property tax management.

Police Department: Parade and Movie Approvals

St. Patrick's Day Parade Resolution

The committee approved the 2022 St. Patrick's Day Parade scheduled for March 12.
Street closures, parking adjustments, and contingency plans for COVID-19 were discussed.

Airboat Production LLC Movie Resolution

Approval was granted for filming March 7–19, including street and parking closures and use of city facilities.
The production company agreed to cover costs, including $35,000 in police overtime.
Police will oversee security, traffic, and safety during production.

Both resolutions ensure community events and productions proceed smoothly while maintaining public safety.

Administration: Vaccine Mandates Discussion

The most contentious portion of the meeting focused on Chicago/Cook County vaccine requirements for businesses.

The discussion was informational only; no vote was taken to implement mandates.
The City Administrator reported over 200 public messages opposing mandates and only 2 supporting.
Mayor Laura Viteks and all committee members voiced strong opposition to local mandates, citing personal choice and business freedom.
Public comment reflected overwhelming opposition, with concerns about constitutional rights, economic impact, and medical autonomy. A small number of pro-vaccine speakers also presented.

Committee members emphasized that opposition to mandates does not reflect a position on vaccine efficacy but focuses on governmental overreach into business operations.

Key Action Items

Finance Department will bring future bond abatement ordinances to council.
Airboat Production LLC will notify affected businesses and cover related costs.
Staff will monitor Kane County vaccine mandates and update the committee if relevant.

Conclusion

The January 7 Government Operations Committee Meeting highlighted St. Charles’ commitment to fiscal responsibility, community engagement, and individual liberty. Approvals for IPBC membership, property tax abatement, parade, and movie production support city operations and events, while the unanimous rejection of local vaccine mandates underscores the city’s stance on business autonomy and personal choice.