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New Alton Business District Taxes Approved, Criticized

6 months 2 weeks ago
ALTON - After the Alton City Council voted 6-1 to raise sales taxes within the recently established Route 3 and Buckmaster Business District, one resident voiced his disapproval. Mike Batchelor, who also raised concerns about the tax increase at a public hearing last month , returned to City Hall to question the economic benefit of the district and the priorities of city officials. While public speakers at Monday’s Committee of the Whole meeting were allowed to make comments before their items of concern were voted on, Batchelor said he was caught off guard by his inability to do the same. “I had a prepared speech, but you guys kind of trashed that with your vote to raise taxes, so forgive me for going a little bit off script,” Batchelor said. “I was the only one to speak up in the public forum to question why anyone thought it was a promising idea to raise taxes on anyone right now, let alone two discount retailers that cater to our lowest income

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