Two separate tax increases in Rock Island County are in the hands of voters, and county leaders are hoping their decision can lead the county in a positive financial direction.
They're not shying away from the subject, but Rock Island County leaders are supporting two issues that they feel are crucial to the financial stability of the county.
Information on these issues will be shared in a number of town hall meetings. The Rock Island County Sheriff's Office is putting on a strong campaign behind a proposed public safety tax that is said to generate anywhere between $5 million to $7 million dollars for the county if it's approved. If voters reject the public safety tax, county leaders say there will have to be a round of layoffs, around 130 jobs, with most of those coming from the Rock Island County Sheriff's Office.
Campaigning on a tax referendum isn't typically in the job description for sheriff's deputies, but they feel the consequences of inaction now could be severe.
"It's never a popular decision when you have to ask the public for any kind of tax increase. The Sheriff and the Sheriff's Office feels very strongly about this. It's a public safety issue, it's how we address it," Capt. Steve VanHuizen with the Rock Island County Sheriff's Office said.
Rock Island County voters will also be deciding on a 1% sales tax increase that would be set to help fund school districts in the county.
Tax increases are a tough sell, but county leaders hope upcoming town halls help share important information.
The first town hall is happening on Thursday, October 20th, 2016 starting at 6:30 at the Andalusia Fire House. The next meeting will be on Wednesday, October 26th, 2016 at 6:30 at the Rapids City Village Hall.