OAKWOOD — A sales tax rebate resolution was approved on Monday night by village trustees.

Under the terms of the resolution, the first $15,000 of sales tax generated by a new grocery store in Oakwood would have that amount rebated to the business by the village.

The village would continue to collect the sales tax, but once a year it would rebate the sales tax generated by the grocery up to $15,000. The rebate is good only as long as the business is open.

The sales tax rebate is available only to a grocery store business and would be available to a business for 10 years.

“This is a good economic incentive tool,” Mayor Tom Cook told trustees. “It doesn’t cost the village a penny out its own funds and provides something that the residents truly need and want.”

Jesse Mitsdarffer, owner of the Catlin IGA, told the trustees that he is considering leasing the former grocery store building from WNT Enterprises of Danville, the current owner of the building and opening a grocery store in Oakwood.

Mitsdarffer said if he commits to the plan, he anticipates a possible opening this summer.

Trustees also heard a report from Nancy Hill of Ehlers and Associates regarding the Tax Increment Fund district.

Hill told the board that she is working on three items for the village.

Hill said she is working on the annual report on the existing TIF district. This report, to the affected taxing bodies in the TIF district, outlines the funds collected in the TIF account and how those funds are being spent or what they are going to be spent for.

In addition, Hill told trustees she also is working on some language changes in the current TIF ordinance that were prompted by new legislation passed by the Illinois General Assembly as well as updating the legal description of the current TIF district and to extend the life span of the current TIF district which is set to expire in 2013.

The final area that Hill is working on is the establishment of a new TIF district which will be contiguous with the current TIF district and will expand north of Dolbee Street and east to cover North and South Main Street.

According to Hill, the new TIF will seek to limit the number of homes included in it and will try to include as much village infrastructure so that TIF funds can be used to upgrade those infrastructures in the future.

Hill will report back the board at the March meeting and provide them with detailed drawings of the current TIF boundaries and the new TIF district proposed boundaries.

In other board action, trustees:

-- Approved a $300 donation to the Oakwood High School post-prom celebration committee.

-- Advised residents to fill out U.S. census forms when they receive them. According to Cook, the village receives motor fuel tax funds based on its population so it is imperative that residents fill out the forms accurately and send them in. Cook said if residents do not return the census forms the village will lose motor fuel tax funds which are used by the village to repair and maintain village streets.

-- Learned that one of the village warning sirens didn't function during the February test. Trustees authorized Terry Hume, emergency medical services chief, to get the siren repaired.

-- Advised any residents who receive solicitation requests to contact the village hall to see if the firm has registered with the village clerk. Cook said recently some Comcast solicitors were in the village and did not have a permit. Cook had reports the solicitors were using “hard sell” tactics and residents have complained. Cook spoke with Melody Brucker, regional manager for Comcast, and explained the village solicitation ordinance and that it will be enforced.

-- Urged residents to respond to a letter and survey form that is being sent out by Dreher Consulting of Danville. The income survey is necessary for the village to apply for grants and/or loans to finance improvements to the village water system. The survey does not require respondents to put a name or address on it. It only requires the number of persons living in the home and to mark the general income of the household.

-- Received the written resignation of Tom Cook as village president effective at the end of the March meeting.

NEXT UP

The Oakwood Village Board will meet at 7 p.m. March 8 in the village hall.