Home Rule

Retaining home rule status is going to be a pretty important ballot question this fall. If Carbondale fails to vote to remain a home rule community, the city will lose a lot of its taxing authority and about $19 million in annual revenue. In order to make up the difference, the city will have to rely on property taxes more and the average property owner could expect to see property taxes go up a bit over $1400.

A major problem will be the wording of the question: “Shall the City of Carbondale cease to be a home rule unit?”  A yes vote means the end of home rule, a no vote means Carbondale continues to operate as a home rule community as it has for well over half a century. Expect to see a blitz by members of the city council pushing for a "no" vote or , even better, get the question reworded to read "Shall the City of Carbondale retain its status as a home rule community?"

Losing home rule status means a drop in sales taxes, an increase in property taxes and a cut in city services.