1 % Woodford County School Facility Sales Tax Your Vote Matters VOTE on March 20 th The County School Facility Sales Tax is a new approach toward maintaining and improving schools and supporting local jobs across Woodford County. The March proposal asks voters to decide on a countywide, one percent sales tax utilized only for school facilities. If approved, the revenue from this sales tax can fund school improvements and has the potential to shift a portion of the tax burden from property owners. What is the 1% County School Facility Sales Tax? The County School Facilities 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 county sales tax for schools is a new way to provide better schools, more jobs and lower taxes across Woodford County. The referendum asks voters to approve a countywide, one percent sales tax. The revenue from this sales tax will fund school improvements across the county AND allow school districts to reduce property taxes. A simple majority of votes cast countywide is needed to pass. After approval by voters, the tax will be imposed. If you would like more information or have any questions regarding the 1% County School Facility Sales Tax, please contact your district Superintendent. Dr. Dan Oakley - Fieldcrest CUSD #6 309-432-2177 - [email protected] Sean O'Laughlin - Metamora Township HS #122 309-367-4151 - [email protected] Dan Mair - Germantown Hills SD #69 309-383-2121 - [email protected] Dr. Michelle Lee - Riverview CCSD #2 309-822-8550 - [email protected] Martin Payne - Metamora CCSD #1 309-367-2361 - [email protected] Duane Schupp - Lowpoint-Washburn CUSD #21 309-248-7522 - [email protected] Brian Kurz - El Paso-Gridley CUSD #11 309-527-4410 - [email protected] Dr. Rohn Peterson - Roanoke-Benson CUSD #60 309-923-7508 - [email protected] Bob Bardwell - Congerville-Eureka-Goodfield CUSD #140 309-467-5735 - [email protected] How does the 1% County School Facility Sales Tax (CSFST) Affect Property Owners? The CSFST has the potential to provide relief for property owners. AVOIDANCE/REDUCTION: A district can avoid levying property taxes by using sales tax funds to pay for facility projects that would have been paid for with property taxes. A district can abate or decrease existing property taxes by using sales tax revenue to pay off outstanding building bonds. How Will the County Sales Tax for Schools Appear on the Ballot? The proposal will appear as follows: “Shall a retailer’s occupation tax and service occupation tax (commonly referred to as a “Sales Tax”) be imposed in the Woodford County at a rate of 1% to be used exclusively for school facility purposes?” Woodford County Schools