Champaign County spends $60k in taxpayer money to campaign for more taxes

Champaign County has spent over $60,000 on a promotional campaign for a local sales tax hike using taxpayer funds. It might surpass $100,000 by Election Day.

Champaign County leaders have used over $60,000 in taxpayers’ own money to convince them to pay even more in taxes.

Champaign voters will decide whether or not to raise the county’s sales tax from 1.25% to 1.5%. The county wants to make up voters’ minds for them by spending $60,000 on a marketing campaign about the potential tax hike.

State Rep. Carol Ammons, D-Urbana, said she is voting no on the referendum and constituents should do the same. She estimates the spending will surpass $100,000 by the Nov. 5 election.

The county claims the campaign is purely informational, but Ammons called the promotion an “unthinkable choice to use taxpayer dollars to force a marketing campaign about this tax increase on the people of this county.”

County officials say the 0.25% sales tax hike will go toward public safety spending. The hike would raise $7 million from taxpayers annually if passed, making everyday purchases more expensive for working families already struggling with inflation.

Champaign County residents will vote on the sales tax increase in the upcoming Nov. 5 election. Unfortunately, they’re already paying for the campaign whether they support it or not.

Taxpayers deserve better than having their money used to sway them. The county shouldn’t spend taxpayer dollars to ask permission to spend even more taxpayer dollars.