Proposed: Tax Water to Fill Municipal Pension

Which city is proposing to fill its pension deficit with a tax on water? Chicago

What’s the proposed water tax rate increase? An escalating utility tax that looks like this:

• Year 1: 7% tax
• Year 2: Double it. 14% tax
• Year 3: 21% tax
• Years 4& 5: 28% utility tax

How much revenue does Chicago think the utility tax will collect?  $239 million over 5 years

What’s the cost per home owner?

• year 1: $4.43 more month /  $53.16 per year
• year 5: $225.96 a year

What other option was considered? A property tax increase 

What do opponents say about the utility tax? It’s regressive

Chicago Sun Times | Pension fix: 28 percent water/sewer tax, phased in over 4 years