Brookfield sets amusement tax on zoo
Despite strong opposition from the Chicago Zoological Society, the Brookfield Village Board has approved an amusement tax that would generate its biggest portion of revenue from Brookfield Zoo admission fees.
The village expects to raise about $500,000 annually from the tax, which would be applied to sporting events, music events and admission to Brookfield Zoo.
The amusement tax was first proposed in June. The zoo immediately objected, maintaining that state law prohibits any portion of zoo admissions from being used for anything but the zoo operations and maintenance. The zoo and village have been at odds over the tax and a proposed water rate increase ever since.
"Any attempts by the village to divert zoo admissions proceeds away from the zoo is unlawful and will result in additional layoffs," said Matt Mayer, Brookfield Zoo's vice president of government affairs.
Shortly before the Village Board meeting Monday the zoo announced that it would be laying off 11 employees, freezing wages and closing two animal yards because of a $1.3 million budget shortfall.
Brookfield Village Manager Riccardo Ginex noted that the village has also seen tough times during the ongoing economic downturn that started in 2008.
"We've laid off seven people," he said, noting that the village has also negotiated contracts without pay raises and managers have taken unpaid furlough days this year.
"I think the Village Board was very prudent," Ginex said, noting that the 25-cent amusement tax is less than the county's share of the parking fee at the zoo.
The tax is set to go into effect 10 days after Monday's board approval.
A bill awaiting a vote in the Illinois House specifically prohibits the village from enacting an amusement tax on the zoo. Mayer said that legislation has broad bipartisan support and dozens of co-sponsors.
Mayer said House Bill 5178 simply clarifies the existing law. No date has been set for a vote.
The board also approved a 10-year agreement requiring the zoo to pay the same rate the village pays for its water from the Brookfield-North Riverside Water Commission, a rate that is substantially less than the rate for all other residences and businesses in the village.
As part of the water agreement, the zoo will also pay a $105,000 service fee that will increase each year as well as a utility tax on water.
