By Howard Packowitz

BLOOMINGTON – A proposed jump in the local gasoline tax to fund street repairs appears to be a tough sell among candidates running for Bloomington City Council seats.

None of the candidates who attended a Tuesday night forum, hosted by the Bloomington-Normal Association of Realtors, expressed support for the idea.

Aldermen will soon consider whether to double the local motor fuel tax to eight cents per gallon, raising an estimated $2.3 million a year for road improvements.

Ward 6 incumbent Alderman Karen Schmidt said she’s talked to only one resident who favored a higher gas tax, and Schmidt is worried the local tax would come at the same time Illinois lawmakers raise the state’s gas tax for infrastructure work.

“So far for me, I need to be satisfied that I know what our current money is going for in terms of roads, and I’m still really cautious about what our state might do in terms of an infrastructure package,” Schmidt said.

Schmidt is being challenged for her seat by local activist Jenn Carrillo, who did not attend the forum.

Ward 2 council candidate Donna Boelen said a higher gas tax is not business friendly, and hurts the working poor. She thinks enough money can be found in the general fund for road work.

Ward 4 council hopeful Don “Chip” Frank said he’s against raising taxes and fees.

“We could do it without raising taxes,” said Frank.

“It’s going to be hard, but that’s what it’s all about.”

Frank’s opponent in Ward 4 is Julie Emig. Boelen faces Georgene Chissell in the April 2 city elections.

Emig and Boelen did not respond to their opponents’ positions.

Jeff Crabill, who’s unopposed in Ward 8, said raising the gas tax should not be the council’s first option.

“If we can say this is what we can pull out of the budget for infrastructure, then if we’ve done all we can, maybe we raise the fuel tax,” Crabill said.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]