Voters in Rock Island County will decide this fall whether the sales tax should be increased to pay for public safety. Last night, the county board voted 20 to 4 to put the referendum on the ballot this fall.
Chairman Ken Maranda says around 150 people attended public meetings about the budget and proposed one half of one percent sales tax hike. And if approved, the board promises to cut property taxes.
Maranda says the projected $7.5 million (per year) in sales tax revenue would pay for jail and court operations, including technology. The mandated Illinois sales tax rate is 6.25%, and revenues are distributed as follows. For every dollar spent, the state gets a nickel, cities get a penny, and counties receive one fourth of a penny. Moline and Rock Island also collect sales taxes on prepared food and liquor.