School districts throughout Tazewell County are collaboratively placing a question on the November 3 ballot. They are seeking voter approval for a new 1% county sales tax to provide funding for local schools while reducing reliance on increasing property taxes.
Key Details of the Proposed Sales Tax
Tax Rate & Scope: If approved, a 1% sales tax would apply to retail purchases, restaurant dining, and online sales within Tazewell County.
Exemptions: Groceries, medications, vehicle purchases, and certain other items would be exempt from the tax.
Funding Distribution: Revenue generated from the tax would be distributed among the public school districts based on their respective student enrollment numbers. Funds can be used for facility upgrades, school security upgrades and staffing of mental health professionals, and property tax relief.
Property Tax Relief: The initiative is also designed to ease the property tax burden on local homeowners. Sales tax revenue provides a new revenue source that could allow districts to adjust annual tax levies to help ease their reliance on property taxes to some degree.
Surrounding Counties: All of the counties surrounding Tazewell County have now passed similar measures. If you ever shop in surrounding counties, you are paying this sales tax and supporting school districts in those counties. Many shoppers come to Tazewell County as well. It is estimated that nearly 60% of the sales tax revenue would be generated by nonresidents and visitors shopping within the county. If you've ever visited schools in other counties and been impressed by their facilities, it is likely that they receive funds from the County Schools Facility Tax in their county.
It is estimated that the County School Facilities Tax would generate around $1 million annually for Tremont CUSD 702. These funds would be put toward facility upgrades, school safety initiatives, staffing of mental health professionals, and property tax abatement. The school district already has one of the lowest, if not the lowest, tax rates in the area and sales tax revenue would allow the district to manage that tax rate even further.
For more information, click the link below to see the formal press release about the CSFT in Tazewell County.