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Big year in Carbondale signals change ahead

By Blackwell Thomas, The Southern

Wednesday, December 26, 2007 7:09 PM CST

A mayor re-elected. A sales tax increase. A $20 million, 20-year commitment to Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

A $35 inspection fee on rental properties.

It was a busy year at city hall and though substantial measures were adopted, many won't be felt until well into the future.

Spring featured Mayor Brad Cole and then-City Councilwoman Sheila Simon waging a tight race for the city's top executive post with Cole prevailing by about 500 votes.

Into the summer months, Cole moved to take sole control of the city's liquor licensing but amidst a vocal opposition at council meetings the move failed to gain traction. A frustrated Cole eventually withdrew the measure in August.

In September the council took up what proved to be the most controversial measure of the year - a half percent local sales tax hike, which is expected to generate about $2.3 million annually for the city. Including the hike, the city sales tax will be 7.75 percent beginning Jan. 1.

In a 4-3 decision council members Joel Fritzler, Mary Pohlmann and Chris Wissmann voted against the measure, largely in opposition to its 20-year $20 million commitment to SIUC.

Fritzler, Pohlmann and Wissmann said they support the tax to help fund construction of new police and fire stations, but not to help pay for Saluki Way, SIUC's $80 million master plan to re-align its campus around a refurbished indoor sports arena and a newly built football stadium.

In a Dec. 20 interview with the Southern, Fritzler said the town and the university have greater needs than updated athletic facilities.

"It's a luxury item, a 20-year commitment to a luxury item when we can't even take care of our own sidewalks," he said.

On the construction of a new football stadium, Fritzler said he was particularly perplexed.

"A male-only sports facility for five games a year - does it make sense, to spend that?" he said.

In early November council members passed a rental licensing fee, to help pay for two new inspectors. The measure means that, beginning January 2009, landlords will pay an annual $35 fee for each dwelling they rent. Properties are to be inspected at least once every three years. If a given property does not pass its first inspection, a re-inspection is free, while each subsequent inspection will cost $50.

Wissmann, who voted in favor of the fee, said it will help improve the city's housing stock and perhaps help enrollment at SIUC.

"The impact of that is huge," he said. "Housing stock goes toward enrollment. Perhaps that will encourage them (students) to come here as opposed to getting on Facebook or MySpace and telling their friends what a (bad) experience they had here."

In November, City Manager Jeff Doherty surprised many with his sudden announcement that he would be retiring in June 2008. Doherty said "it was time" to step down from the post he has held for 16 years. Doherty began working as an intern with the city in 1976 and worked his way up to become the city's sixth and longest-serving city manager.

At the time of Doherty's announcement, Mayor Brad Cole said he hoped to have a new city manager selected by May.

In 2008, Doherty said he expected the city's hunt for his replacement would be among its highest priorities.

"Housing is also going to be an important issue because we are seeing significant development of new student housing, which is going to compete with existing housing," he said.

The city council's next scheduled meeting is on Jan. 15.

blackwell.thomas@thesouthern.com

351-5823