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City Council Minutes 1995 02-27-95 (special cc) MEMORANDUM DATE: February 28, 1995 TO: Yorkville Community Unit School District #115 Board of Education Yorkville City Council Members FROM: Dr. Thomas D. Engler SUBJECT: Joint Meeting of Yorkville City Council and District #115 Board of Education Seven members of the Yorkville Board of Education and six members of the Yorkville City Council met on February 27, 1995 to brainstorm on the topic of solutions to the burden of property tax relief for the funding of education. Also present were Mr. Jim Nanninga, Yorkville City Council, and Dr. Thomas D. Engler, Superintendent, Yorkville School District. Mrs. Engelhardt began the meeting by requesting that roll call be taken and extended the Board' s appreciation to the City Council members for attending the meeting and the sharing of ideas. Mrs. Engelhardt outlined the parameters of brainstorming and listed three questions that would be the basis for the sharing of ideas. The three questions were as follows: 1 . What are some values of networking? 2. What factors are driving people to ask for changes in school funding? 3 . What are some components of possible changes in funding the group would like to suggest? The sharing of ideas began with the discussion of the first question. March 15, 1995 Page 2 The main points from the value of networking were: • Present a united front - more influence • Ideas from a different perspective • Take ideas to the State Legislators • The whole is greater than the sum of its parts • Understand each others financial problems • Expand the networks - local and beyond • Same purposes/directions/common goals • More effective use of time/resources • Joint planning The main points from the discussion on what components are making people ask for changes in school funding: • Statewide inequities (business/industry • Higher property taxes (especially senior citizens) • People paying property tax, but have no children/rental units • Families are required to work hard just to maintain the status quo • State rules are suspect • School funding - vote requirement and that forces further inequities • Other states are changing funding • Local wealth is spent in other counties through sales tax, etc. March 15, 1995 Page 3 • People were misled by the lottery The main points from the discussion on some components of possible changes in funding: • Other revenue sources - income tax/sales tax • Equalize distribution to a minimum level • Study present exemptions • Unfunded State mandates - priorities • Task force developed (include those closest to the source (board members, administration, teachers, and property owners) • Identify funds dedicated to education • Pressure - time - expedient to change • Examine other state' s actions • Greater flexibility in impact fees • Freeze property taxes at current level and require state to fund increases - develop a specific time period (sunset) and task force = solution