Dixon School Board to discuss putting 1-cent sales tax proposal back on April ballot

Board President Tom Balser said members will discuss the topic at their Dec. 12 meeting after dissecting information from townspeople and could hold off on a vote until January.

Countywide, 58.9 percent of voters rejected the tax that would have brought about the construction of a sports and activities complex in Dixon and maintenance upgrades in other county schools.

Superintendent Michael Juenger said Ogle County also will ask the Dixon School District to vote on a resolution to put a 1-cent sales tax on its county’s ballot, because Dixon’s school district extends into Ogle County.

Juenger told board member Kevin Sward that they will know the availability of The Meadows, where the sports facility was proposed to be built, and will have more information about the state’s resolution to the pension issue.

Four community members, including Police Chief Danny Langloss, who headed the “We Are Dixon” effort, spoke in favor of the complex during public comment.

Also Wednesday, the board approved a tentative tax levy asking for $16,366,473, which is a 104-percent increase from last year’s levy, meaning the district does not have to host a truth-in-taxation hearing.

Juenger said the levy likely will not be that high, because he does not anticipate a property growth in the area. The levy was set at a higher amount to collect taxes in case of unexpected growth.

Instead, the rate itself may go down slightly, Juenger said, because a 2003 general obligation bond will be paid off.