1% Sales Tax on Upcoming Ballot
Earlier this school-year Ogle County Boards of Education, which represent over 50% of the student population of Ogle County voted to include a question regarding a 1% sales tax on the ballot. The 1% sales tax for schools is an initiative aimed at generating additional revenue to support education within our community. If approved, this tax would add 1% of sales tax on goods sold in Ogle County (with some exceptions including groceries). If the measure passes, the collected funds would be distributed on a per pupil basis to ALL Ogle County schools.
Use of Funds:
The revenue generated from this sales tax will be allocated to address critical areas within local educational systems. These funds could be used for facilities renovations, repairs and upgrades, investments in infrastructure projects, payment for local law enforcement's school resource officers, and offsetting expenses for mental health support for our students.
Duration of the Tax:
The proposed 1% sales tax does not have a sunset clause or expiration date. This means that if approved, the tax will continue indefinitely, providing a consistent source of revenue for our schools.
Impact on Consumers and Businesses:
The sales tax is a percentage added to the final purchase price of taxable goods and services. This tax already exists in many Illinois counties, including Lee County. The amount will be collected by businesses and remitted to the state, with the allocated portion for schools benefitting our local educational institutions. There should be no additional paperwork for consumers and local business. Importantly, there is no available data indicating that passing this tax adversely affects sales in a given county.
Supplementary Information:
This tax is intended to supplement existing funding sources for schools, ensuring that our educational institutions have the necessary resources to provide a high-quality education and facility infrastructure to best serve our students. It is important to note that certain goods and services, such as groceries, prescriptions, vehicles, farm equipment, and items not currently taxed, will not be subject to the additional 1% sales tax.
Informational Meeting:
We understand the importance of being well-informed before making decisions which impact our community. If you have further questions or require additional information, please don't hesitate to reach out to the school district office. We are here to provide transparency and ensure that everyone in our community is well-informed about this initiative.
Click here to review additional information that was shared during the Town Hall meeting.
Thank you for your time and attention to this matter.