SOUTH BELOIT -- Roads in South Beloit will be getting a much-needed makeover after voters passed its 1% sales tax referendum.
Unlike Freeport's recent passage, South Beloit relies on a public vote to change the city's tax law.
The tax will solely be dedicated to repairing 42 miles of roads across the community including Hayes Avenue and Liston Avenue, just a few minutes away from Beloit City Hall.
City of Beloit Mayor Tom Fitzgerald says introducing this tax or another way to get extra funds would have happened anyway, should the referendum failed.
Fitzgerald says he is confident residents won't feel the hike in prices, with most of the new revenue coming from the interstate and gas stations.
"It's for a small town of 7,800 people, "he said. "Roads are fine until the road in front of your house is bad and want it fixed. So, this gives us the opportunity to fix all these roads in due time, I hope everybody is happy about it."
Adding that other smaller towns including South Beloit are trying to make big impacts and could only do that by leaving the decision entirely up to voters.
"It puts us in line with the communities around us so it's not like it's totally out of line, with us, with the main roads running through here highways 275 and 251 were in a situation where we are at the mercy of the state to fix those roads."
South Beloit voters approved a 1% sales tax referendum during the Tuesday primary elections. Mayor Fitzgerald expressed his support for the measure's passage and highlighted the anticipated road improvement projects. 13 WREX's Shannon Taylor spoke with local businesses and their perspectives on the referendum's outcome. Learn more tonight on 13 News at 6:00.
 Ihla Tinder who has lived in south Beloit for over 50 years voted no for the tax during early voting.
She believes road improvement, although important, should have come second to bolstering public safety in the city.
"They're getting rid of our fire department which to me should have been a top priority, we need a fire department a quality fire department, that would have been a great start."
The tax takes effect on January 1,2025Â and has a 5-year sunset clause through December 31, 2029.
