On April 5th the voters in Madison County will be asked to vote on a 1% sales tax increase to fund building new school facilities. IT'S A TAX TRAP! Proponents of this tax will tell you that it's going to decrease your property taxes. There's nothing in the law that requires them to reduce your property taxes. In fact the language in the law allows the school districts to issue "double barreled" bonds. If the sales tax revenues aren't enough to make the bond payment (or has been used for another purpose), the bond payment can be made from any revenue source (your property taxes). And, worse yet, there's no expiration date, and the voters can't repeal it - only the county board has that authority and then only if there aren't any bonds that are counting on that revenue source for payment. Like that's going to happen! It also takes the voters out of the loop on any purchase, construction or building if it's purchased with this sales tax revenue.
And, don't trust them to keep their promises. This law was modeled after an Iowa law. They also promised to abate taxes with the revenue they received from the sales taxes. Only a handful of the 362 school districts actually provided any property tax relief. I received an email from a gentleman in Macon County where they lost the fight. The Districts promised "tax abatement" and proceeded to hike the annual levies one month post election. The vote in Macon County was 51% to 49% to approve the tax. This referendum is being put on the ballot now because they are anticipating low voter turnout. Please don't be apathetic. Everyone who purchases locally and pays Madison County property taxes will be affected by this vote. Also you will notice that it says it will be used for upgrading windows when money for windows are being covered by a grant already. I believe its to sell it so when you drive by you think its your 1% hard at work. Think before your vote. You cant take it back!!!!!! There is nothing wrong with fixing our schools, that would be great! Its a new football field, gym....etc that at this economical time that I believe its unnecessary.
on March 26, 2011, 3:58 pm