2023/10/03 - Mayor's Column: Minimum Wage and City Fest
“AN OPEN DOOR TO O’FALLON”
A WEEKLY NOTE FROM MAYOR HERB ROACH
Two things for this week’s article:
- The impact on O’Fallon’s budget from new legislation from the State of Illinois, and
- A one year change for next year’s City Fest.
When legislation is sometimes passed in Springfield, we sometimes forget that this impacts not only the businesses in a city but it also impacts the city itself. It makes it harder for our staff and Council to continue to work to keep our real estate tax rates the same or lower as we have for the last six years.
Due to the State of Illinois’ changes in the minimum wage law and other legislation that impacts wages from January of 2020 through 2025, the City of O’Fallon will see over $600,000 in increased operating costs.
You can be assured that the Staff and the City Council will continue to work to keep your tax rate down, but it is getting harder and harder with these State requirements. These are the same types of things that our schools face with unfunded mandates that are required of them.
This increase in cost does not include new equipment or other requirements that are placed on different departments.
The second thing that I wanted you to be aware of is that City Fest 2024 will see a one-year change of venue due to the construction that will be going on at the Community Park during 2024 and early 2025.
For next year, City Fest will be moved to the Family Sports Park and the parade will be moved out near and through the park for 2024. As the City Fest committee finalizes it’s plans for next year, we will be able to share more details.
The committee discussed many options including staying at the Community Park next year but in the end, it was thought that for the safety and convenience of our patrons this was the best plan for next year. It is the first time that such a festival has been held at the Sports Park. The dates for next year are August 23rd & 24th.
As residents of O’Fallon, you should always be able to reach out to your elected officials and ask questions about what is happening in O’Fallon. Having open communications is important to me and something I care very deeply about. Thank you for reading, and please remember, my door is always open.