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Champaign County Board approves three advisory budget questions for March ballot
Summary
The Champaign County Board voted to place three nonbinding advisory questions on the March ballot asking voters about a sales tax increase, a property tax increase and possible service reductions. Board members said the questions are meant to educate voters and guide the 2026 budget process.
The Champaign County Board voted to submit three advisory questions to county electors for the March ballot, asking whether voters would support an increase in the sales tax on purchases of goods, an increase in the county property tax rate, and a reduction in county services.
Finance committee leadership framed the measures as a way to educate the public about the county—s fiscal position and to gather guidance as officials finalize the 2026 budget. "The county is in a bad financial situation," said the committee presenter (Speaker 10), arguing that the advisory questions would help the board gauge public priorities as it confronts a structural gap in the budget.
Board members and members of the public raised concerns about how voters would understand the phrasing and implications of the questions. At a public hearing earlier in the meeting, a resident asked whether the county had a plan and how much would be spent to educate voters; another board member warned that voters often reject tax increases unless services are already visibly degraded.
Despite the reservations, the board voted on each resolution separately and approved all three motions by voice vote. The board emphasized the nonbinding nature of the questions: they are advisory and do not obligate the board to any specific action but are intended to inform future deliberations. The board also scheduled a public study session for Jan. 27, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. to analyze budget options and next steps.
Votes at a glance: the three advisory resolutions were approved by voice vote; specific roll-call tallies were not given in the record for those items.
Next steps: the questions will appear on the March ballot as advisory questions and staff and board members said they will need to plan public education and follow-up based on results. The board also noted the potential need for forums and outreach so voters understand trade-offs implicit in each question.
