There are 3 propositions on the Nov. 6 ballot for most residents of Batavia. In a nutshell, they are as follows:
(CITY OF BATAVIA) This is a BINDING referendum. The City of Batavia became a Home Rule unit in 2009 when its population hit 25,000. The ballot question asks, “Shall the City of Batavia cease to be a Home Rule unit?”
Home Rule gives the City Council virtually UNLIMITED POWER TO TAX, REGULATE, AND INCUR DEBT. With Home Rule, the state takes away the power of citizens to put property tax increases, bonds, and other issues to referendum, and concentrates power in the City Council. Below is a brief summary of powers without and with Home Rule. Please visit our Home Rule pages for further information.
| Without Home Rule | With Home Rule | |
|---|---|---|
| Property tax increases | Capped at lesser of cost of inflation or 5% | No caps |
| New taxes | Limited by the state | Few limits |
| General Obligation Bonds | Can be put to binding referendum | No referendum needed |
| Regulations/licensing | Limited by the state | Few limits |
|
Vote YES |
Vote NO |
Vote YES to END Home Rule
Vote NO to KEEP Home Rule
(BATAVIA LIBRARY) This is a BINDING referendum. The bonded debt that was used to build the library has been repaid, so taxpayers are due to get a reduction in their taxes. The Library is asking voters to add the money they had been paying for the bonds to their property taxes permanently, for library operations and building maintenance.
Vote YES to add the bond payment amount to your taxes permanently
Vote NO if you want to see your taxes decrease by the bond payment amount
(KANE COUNTY) This is an ADVISORY referendum only. There has been talk of the state imposing a 1% property tax (on market value) to pay for unfunded state pensions. The County is asking if they should oppose such a tax.
Vote YES if you DON’T want an additional 1% property tax
Vote NO if you DO want an additional 1% property tax.
Batavians for Responsible Government 