Budget discussions continue this week for the Rock Island County Board.
County administrator Dave Ross says the county has already cut as many jobs as possible without cutting essential services, and it's raised whatever revenue it can without raising taxes. But the county still faces large deficits in the coming years unless it takes action now.
And he recommends asking voters for permission to raise the sales tax by half a cent.
Other alternatives include no new revenue but with many more layoffs, and raising property taxes.
Ross emphasizes raising the sales tax is not just to bring in more revenue, but part of a detailed five-year plan to support essential services like the Sheriff's department, and pay for capital projects that have been postponed far too long already.
After these discussions, he hopes the Rock Island County Board will make some decisions at its next meeting on May 24th.
