Sales Tax Hike on Several County Ballots
By: Alexandra Sutter WMBD/WYZZ
Updated: March 11, 2013
MORTON - Five area counties will have
the option to vote on a one percent sales tax increase to benefit schools.
A sales tax increase will be on the
ballot in Tazewell, Marshall, Livingston, Woodford and Fulton counties this
April.
Morton District 709 Superintendent Dr.
Lindsey Hall said it could generate millions for her school district. "For
Morton schools, it's between $1.6 and $1.7 million per year."
That's a solid stream of revenue that
Hall said she can count on, especially when she said she can longer count on
the state of Illinois. "That's a challenge for all public school districts. We
still have the education mission to carry on, as well as all the other things
we need to do like maintaining buildings, keeping them safe."
Maintaining buildings is exactly what
this tax money would pay for. Money generated from the tax hike would strictly
go toward school facility improvements. For Morton schools, increasing safety
and security is a project at the top of the list. Hall said, "In light of the
environment and the concerns that go with school, safety that these are funds
that can be used for safety and security upgrades."
The tax would apply to purchases at
some retail stores and restaurants. It wouldn't be a cost tacked on to groceries,
medicine, farm equipment or big item costs. Hall said the goal is to bring in
money from more than just property tax payers. "It's estimated that 25-30% of
the revenue will come from non-residents of Tazewell County from consumers who
come here to visit for so many different reasons. It takes the pressure off the
source of revenue that comes from property tax."
In the meantime, Hall said she's on a
mission to inform the public. She hopes to let them know just what is at stake.
"Just make an informed choice. Understand some of the challenges that public
school districts feel right now."
If voters approve the tax
hike, the money will be divided up to each school in the county, based on the
amount of students it serves.
The election is on April 9.
