By Mick Zawislak | Daily Herald
Another unified voice has surfaced in opposition to a question on the Nov. 3 ballot asking voters whether Lake County should be allowed to impose up to a 1% sales tax for school facilities.
Last week, the Barrington Area Council of Governments announced its eight-member entities, comprising seven villages and Barrington Township, unanimously opposed the proposal due to widespread rising costs already faced by residents.
“This one caught the attention of our mayors because they were hearing from their constituents,” said Kimberly Saunders, executive director of the organization focused in southwestern Lake County.
“Everything is more expensive and it’s a difficult time for folks,” she added.
About two weeks ago, the Lake County Republican Central Committee launched a campaign against the measure citing similar concerns. Volunteers have been knocking on doors and distributing information in all 18 townships and will be receiving yard signs soon.
At issue is the County School Facilities Sales Tax created by state law in 2007 as an alternative revenue source to local property taxes. If approved by voters, the county can impose a sales tax of up to 1% to be used exclusively for specific school-related uses.
Those include facilities and site work, such as additions or renovations; infrastructure or safety/security upgrades; school resource officers or mental health professionals; and, managing debt by paying off existing bonds or abating property taxes.
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Related: “BACOG issues position statement on the November Lake County School Facilities Tax referendum”
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