There's a story that's floating around the local government world about a mayor who instructed his public works director to mark a line down the center of every boundary street in the community. Above each newly-painted boundary line, the mayor wanted the following inscription: "Cross this -- and watch your tax dollars follow you right out of town!"

Do you ever think about the long-term ramifications of your economic decisions? Sharp consumers are always searching for high quality products, great customer service, and bargain prices - but, as consumers, do we carefully consider the total impact of our economic choices? Perhaps what looks to be a "bargain" on its face may turn out in the long run not to be such a bargain after all.

Next time you're surfing the Internet looking for deals, log on to www.aurora-il.org/finance/budget.html and scroll through the City of Aurora's budget. Pay particular attention to revenue categories (e.g., sales and use tax, food and beverage tax, gaming tax) that show the number of dollars that flow to the City of Aurora because of local economic transactions. Those dollars help fund the sorts of things that make life in Aurora a high-quality experience: public safety services, sidewalks, street lights, trees, parks, open space, cultural opportunities, neighborhood improvements, historic preservation…you get the picture! You might want to keep that picture in mind next time you "cross the border" to a neighboring community to shop, hire someone to perform a special service, or undertake any other economic transaction.

Why does where you spend money make a difference? In addition to the direct impact on the municipal budget and, thereby, the City's capacity to provide high quality services to its residents, transacting business locally means trading with people who give back to Aurora in a multitude of ways. Local business owners provide jobs for local residents; devote resources to local not-for-profit agencies; serve as volunteers in our local schools, neighborhood organizations, spiritual and fraternal groups; get involved in local politics to guide the future of our city…recycling dollars and human energy right back into the local community. Remember, too, that a healthy sales tax base helps keep other taxes (like those on property) low.

It is said that we are part of a "global village" and a "global economy." Though that's true on some level, it's also true that in order to nurture and sustain a high quality of life within our home community, we need to "think globally and transact locally." Though we may not consciously intend to do so, taking our dollars (or love) to another town has a positive impact on the quality of life in that town, rather than helping to make things better right here in our own backyard.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT KAREN CHRISTENSEN AT 630-844-3670 OR kchristensen@aurora-il.org.

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