Amend HP

NANCY SUCKS:

New Accountability and Necessary Change Yielding Sustainable Urban Community Key Solutions

Objective:

This proposal introduces a tiered tax framework for large-scale entities grossing over $15 million annually, operating as a cultural institution and/or an amusement entity within the city limits. The plan is designed to ensure these entities contribute fairly to the city’s financial health, environmental sustainability efforts, and educational programs. Through taxes on carbon emissions, naming rights, and amusement activities, the proposal will significantly increase revenue, adding approximately 5% to the city’s annual budget. This additional revenue will strengthen Highland Park's financial stability and provide resources for key initiatives.

Furthermore, the plan includes an increase in the Mayor's and the Councilmembers’ salaries, recognizing that the city needs to attract strong leadership to meet its future challenges. By offering competitive pay, Highland Park can ensure it receives the high-quality leadership it requires, moving beyond the limitations of the current compensation, as "you get what you pay for." Existing agreements with qualifying entities will be honored, with full tax implementation deferred until their expiration​.

In alignment with internationally recognized environmental standards, and specifically following the exemplary carbon emissions framework established by the progressive policies of Sweden, any entity meeting the aforementioned gross revenue threshold and location boundaries shall be subject to a carbon emissions tax, calculated at the rate of $130 per metric ton of carbon dioxide emitted. This tax is applicable to entities whose operations result in substantial environmental impacts, including but not limited to emissions arising from vehicular traffic related to the entity’s events or activities.
For example, a qualifying entity such as the Ravinia Music Festival, which hosts approximately 135 events annually and draws an estimated average of 1,500 cars per event, would generate significant vehicle emissions. According to the EPA, each vehicle contributes 0.008 metric tons of CO2 per average 10 mile round trip. When multiplied by the total number of vehicles attending these events over the course of the year, this results in an estimated 1,620 metric tons of CO2 emissions annually.
Example Calculation Based on 1,620 Metric Tons of CO2 Emissions:
1,620×130 = $210,600 USD annually
Any entity operating as a cultural institution and/or an amusement entity whose gross revenue surpasses $15 million annually and which operates within the city limits, and which utilizes the name, designation, or any geographic identifier or culturally significant landmark associated with the City of Highland Park, any of its districts, or subdivisions, for purposes of marketing, branding, promotional materials, or other public-facing communications, shall be subject to a 1% naming rights tax. This tax is instituted to ensure that entities benefitting from the historic and cultural prestige of Highland Park contribute equitably to its ongoing vitality.
Example Calculation Using $35,000,000 in Revenue:
35,000,000×0.01 = $350,000 USD annually
In the instance of any such entity whose annual gross revenue exceeds $15 million and operates as a cultural institution and/or amusement entity, within the city limits, such an entity shall be subject to a 12% amusement tax, modeled after the amusement tax rate currently imposed in Chicago. However, in cases where existing contractual agreements preclude the immediate implementation of this tax (such as the pre-existing agreement with Ravinia Music Festival, set to expire on Jan 1, 2029), the enforcement of this tax shall be deferred until the expiration of said agreement.
Furthermore, for entities benefitting from property tax exemptions—such as those with non-profit status—the property tax equivalent (the amount they would otherwise owe in property taxes) shall be incorporated into the amusement tax. This ensures the city collects an equitable share of revenue even from tax-exempt entities.
Amusement Tax Calculation Using $35,000,000 in Revenue:
35,000,000×0.12 = $4,200,000 USD annually
Property Tax Equivalent (Example: Ravinia Festival's $1,400,000 exemption):
Amusement Tax+Property Tax Equivalent = 4,200,000+1,400,000 = $5,600,000 USD annually
Currently, Highland Park’s city manager receives a base salary of $286,000 per year, along with an annual bonus of $30,000, bringing the total compensation to $316,000 annually. Given the city’s population of 30,163, this means the city manager is currently paid approximately $10.48 per resident. This is 283.88% more than what is considered average.
Under the new proposal, we aim to adjust the city manager's salary to $150,000 annually, aligning it more closely with fiscal responsibility while still offering a competitive rate for this leadership role. The remaining funds will be redistributed to the mayor and city council members.
The difference, which amounts to $166,000, will be reallocated to the mayor and city council to better compensate the leadership team while staying within the current budget constraints.
Remaining funds from the city manager's salary:
$316,000 - $150,000 = Remaining Funds: $166,000 USD
The remaining $166,000 from the city manager’s salary reduction will be redistributed as follows: 60% will go to the mayor's salary, and 40% will be equally divided among the six city council members.
Additionally, a portion of these reallocated funds will be used to implement split-screen camera functionality for City Hall meetings. This enhancement will allow live broadcasts to display both the city council members and citizens who wish to speak, promoting greater transparency and public engagement. This technology upgrade ensures that the voices of the community are not only heard but also ensures the council is tuned in during discussions, fostering meetings where our council is held to the standard that we all deserve.
Mayor's new salary:
$10,000 + $99,600 = $109,600 USD
New council member salary:
$7,500 + $11,067 = $18,567 USD per council member.

***This redistribution ensures that the mayor receives a more competitive salary for their leadership role while also fairly compensating the city council members. Furthermore, this restructuring not only supports leadership in a fiscally responsible manner but also enhances public participation by investing in improved communication technologies for City Hall meetings.***

Section 6: Limiting Lumens in Headlights

If your name happens to start and end with either: Nancy Rotering, Kim Stone, Anthony Blumberg, or Barisa Bruckman, and your car's headlights emit more than 1500 lumens, when going out in public, you would be required to where a shirt that says:
I'm a P.O.S.
(Pathological Opportunistic Saboteur)

Side-by-Side Comparison of Revenue

**Using Ravinia Festival as ONLY an example**

**Based off an average of $35,000,000 in annual revenue as only an example**

Revenue StreamCurrent (Before New Taxes)New Taxes (Before Agreement Expiration)Amusement Tax (After Agreement Expiration)
5% Admissions Fee (Example)$1,750,000$1,750,000N/A
Carbon Emissions TaxN/A$210,600$210,600
Naming Rights TaxN/A$350,000$350,000
12% Amusement TaxN/AN/A$4,200,000
Property Tax EquivalentN/AN/A$1,400,000
Total Annual Revenue$1,750,000$2,310,600$6,160,600
% of City's Budget1.4%1.95%5.22%

Conclusion

This tax proposal offers Highland Park a transformative opportunity to create a fair and sustainable revenue stream from large-scale entities generating over $15 million annually. By implementing this tiered tax structure, the city will ensure that these entities contribute equitably to Highland Park’s financial well-being. While certain taxes may be deferred due to existing agreements, the full tax structure will take effect once those agreements expire, guaranteeing long-term stability for the city.

With this plan projected to contribute over 5% of the city’s annual budget, it will significantly bolster Highland Park's fiscal resilience. Furthermore, by efficiently allocating funds, including providing a competitive salary for the Mayor’s position along with all councilmembers, the city is ensuring strong leadership and a continued commitment to fairness, sustainability, and the prosperity of its community.

The proposal urges the Mayor and City Council to adopt these changes and lead Highland Park toward a more financially secure future, benefiting not just the government but the citizens it serves.