One-Cent Sales Tax
ON APRIL 7, 2015
The County School Facility Sales Tax represents the first shift away from relying on property taxes for local school district funding in Illinois. The law went into effect in 2007 (based on a similar law in Iowa) allowing voters to approve a sales tax to fund school facility needs. The sales tax is for one cent on every dollar spent on qualifying retail purchases. School Boards representing almost 100% of the resident student enrollment have passed resolutions approving the sales tax resolution, and the question will be placed on the ballot at the next scheduled election. On April 7th, a one-cent sales tax proposal is on the ballot in the county. The revenue from this sales tax, if passed, can only be used to improve school facilities or retire existing building bonds.
Our Board of Education voted to place this proposal on the ballot because it will provide a reliable source of revenue to keep our schools up-to-date and, at the same time, provide property tax relief for our residents.
This one-cent sales tax can be used to provide:
- 21st century classrooms
- Energy efficient heating and air conditioning
- Improved safety and security for our students
- Funding to keep roofs, windows and doors in good working order
- Up-to-date labs and technology
- Property tax relief for our residents
Tax Information
Property Tax Relief
All across Illinois there has been a call for property tax relief. This proposal, in part, is an answer to that call. Traditionally, all school building improvements have been funded through property taxes. By passing this proposal, much of the burden for funding public education facility improvements willbe shifted to a sales tax - and a sales tax that is very equitable and fair in its design.
Retail sales that are NOT taxed include:
- Unprepared food (groceries)
- Prescriptions and over-the-counter medications
- Cars, Trucks, ATV’s, Boats, & RVs, Mobile Homes
- Farm Equipment, Parts, and Farm Inputs
- Services are also not taxed
- If it is not currently taxed, it will not be taxed
Revenues CAN Only Be Used to Support Facility Improvements:
Revenue from this one-cent sales tax can only be used for improving school facilities or for retiring new or current building bonds. It cannot be used for salaries, instructional materials, or other operating costs. Specifically it can be used for:
- New School Facilities
- Additions & Renovations
- Land Acquisition
- Safety and Security Improvements
- Energy Efficiency
- Paying Off Building Bonds
- Architectural Planning/Engineering
- Durable Equipment
Sales Tax dollars CANNOT be used for:
- Salaries and benefits
- Instructional costs
- Textbooks and computers
- Moveable equipment
- School buses
- Operating costs
Additional Points:
- The revenues are separated from other district funds and are limited to very specific facility related expenses that are subject to annual audit reviews and available public review.
- The revenue is generated by any consumer who purchases eligible items in Jersey county.
Specific Improvements for Our District
If this proposal passes, our District will have the ability to keep our facilities up-to-date and in good working order without a total reliance on property taxes.
Listed below are the specific plans for our District should this proposal pass:
- Paying down building bond debt
- Security enhancements throughout the district
- Seal and repair parking lots
- Complete West Elementary Facility Needs:
- Complete abatement
- Upgrade HVAC system
- Replace Windows and doors
- Resolve Water problems at Illini
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