CHAMPAIGN -- Voters have two opportunities this weekend to learn more about a property-tax referendum that, among other things, is intended to support the Strides homeless shelter.
The City of Champaign Township will host two informational sessions on the referendum. The first is set for 12:30 p.m. today in Robeson Pavilion rooms A and B at the Champaign Public Library, 200 W. Green St. The second will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday in the meeting room of the library's Douglass Branch, 504 E. Grove St.
At present, the township's tax rate is 4.17 cents for every $100 of equalized assessed value, according to a report by Supervisor Kyle Patterson.
The referendum, which is on the Nov. 5 ballot, seeks a 428 percent increase in the rate to 22.03 cents for every $100 of equalized assessed value, which is expected to generate an additional $4 million in annual revenue.
"This additional funding is greatly needed to ensure that the township can maintain this vital community safety net, the Strides homeless shelter," Patterson said. "Without Strides, over 70 residents of our community will not have a safe place to sleep at night. What we are providing is a lifeline for some of our community's most vulnerable members."
According to township officials, Strides is the only low-barrier homeless shelter available year-round in Champaign County. The shelter is currently funded by federal American Rescue Plan Act funds, which are expected to be exhausted by summer 2025.
New tax revenue would be used to fund the shelter's current operations, plus street outreach, programs to help clients find permanent housing, and additional staffing to enhance "safety and effectiveness," officials said.
The tax increase is also intended to support other township programs. According to Patterson's report, the township is in need of a $3.755 million increase to help fund the following expenses:
Strides low-barrier shelter: $3.4 millionIncreased rental assistance: $200,000Increased general assistance: $70,000Additional staffing for the assessor's office: $85,000
At present, a homeowner with a property valued at $100,000 pays about $13.90 annually to the township; the proposed increase would see the same individual pay $73.87 annually.