Another school board goes on the record supporting a massive tax increase, hoping to distract voters by talking about miniscule property tax relief.
Board members voted 5-0 at a special Wednesday meeting to support the tax. Members Val Woodruff and Tom Harpst were absent.
The 1 percent tax has enough support for the Champaign County Board to put it on the November ballot.
Board member Max McComb wanted to know when the district would reveal a plan for what it would do with the tax money if it passes, especially related to property tax relief.
If this were really about property tax relief, then the districts should ask for a smaller sales tax increase which is more nearly the equivalent of the property tax reductions being promised.
But it's not about property tax relief. It's about getting the maximum possible tax increase, much larger than necessary to provide the maximum allowable property tax relief.
It's about "creating a pool of money" that school boards can spend on buildings. Much better to go for the max right off the bat, before voters totally understand the implications.
This will be a lot easier than going to voters for a property tax increase.
Since sales tax revenues are unknown, and based on projections, will this school board ever have enough information to tell the taxpayers how they will address property tax relief, or are the voters just supposed to pass this and trust that the school board will give them property tax relief at some point down the road?
Yes, even though the exact amount of the tax revenue is based on projections, districts can tell taxpayers how much they will see in property tax relief. The reason they can do that is that tax relief will be provided by paying off building bonds that are already in place (previously voted on and approved by taxpayers). Since the districts will know the approximate amount of money whey would receive from the sales tax, they can identify the bonds they would be able to pay off, and calculate the exact impact on property taxes in the district. Remember, the sales tax money - if approved - can only be used on facilities and facility bonds.
Also, regarding "much beterto go for the max right off the bat, before voters totally understand the implications." I think you are seriously understimating the ability of voters to understand this proposal. It is extremely simple, straightforward, and easy to understand.
It is a simple proposal, but how much will a 1% sales tax increase cost any individual? It is easy to figure your property tax increase, but how much do you spend on items subject to this sales tax per year?
And how much of an impact will it have on the retail and entertainment business in our county?
Once this tax is in place, I don't see how it can be removed. A new school board can work to reduce a property tax rate - this sales tax looks to be eternal.