Barrington’s village manager presented a case Monday night for seeking home-rule status. The village board has until Aug. 22 to decide whether to put the question to voters Nov. 8.
Barrington village board members listened Monday as Village Manager Scott Anderson outlined the advantages of home rule. Whether trustees will take up the banner remains to be seen.
The village board would have to decide by Aug. 22 to put the question to voters on the Nov. 8 ballot.
Such surrounding communities as Barrington Hills, Lake Barrington and South Barrington have voted to become home rule.
Anderson’s presentation was intended to highlight the differences between communities with home rule and those without, the additional tools it would provide the village, and the process for attaining home-rule status.
“Simply stated, home rule gives municipalities greater authority to govern themselves,” said Anderson, adding that the village would have greater flexibility in day-to-day operations.
Anderson pointed out that Barrington is providing a full complement of services, including police and fire protection, water delivery, waste treatment, snow plowing and street maintenance.
“We have the responsibility for covering not only the operating day-to-day costs, but the long term capital costs and employer costs related to pensions,” he said. “And while we have the benefit of tailoring our services to what our customers need, we have the expenses related to that.”
He said home rule would allow the village to diversify its sources of revenue and rely less on property taxes.
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