Troy 30-C Referendum No Tax-Rate Increase

Joliet, IL — September 14, 2026 — A limiting rate referendum from School District 30-C will appear on the November 3rd ballot, allowing local voters to determine how district operational funds are structured as existing bond debt is fully retired in October 2027.

The retirement of previous capital project bonds in October 2027 will automatically lower the debt portion of the local tax rate by 0.45%. If approved by voters, the referendum would transfer that 0.45% tax capacity into the District's operating budget—funding everyday school operations, including attracting and retaining qualified staff, maintaining lower class sizes, and preserving student athletics and extracurricular activities—without increasing the overall tax rate paid by local property owners.

"Because official ballot language is strictly governed by state election statute, the proposition is required to be framed as an 'increase' to our operating rate," said Patrick King, Executive Director of Finance for Troy 30-C. "However, because the upcoming October 2027 bond payoff decreases our debt rate by the exact same 0.45%, the overall tax rate will remain flat. The measure functions as a tax-rate swap."

• October 2027 Debt Retirement: Existing capital project bonds are fully paid off, reducing the debt portion of the tax rate by 0.45%.
• Proposed Operating Adjustment: The measure requests a 0.45% addition to the operating rate to maintain staff, lower class sizes, and student athletics/extracurricular activities.
• Combined Tax Rate Impact: The operating adjustment offsets the debt expiration dollar-for-dollar, resulting in a 0.00% net increase to the overall property tax rate.

If approved, the restructured tax rate will take effect in alignment with the October 2027 debt payoff. If the measure does not pass, the overall tax rate will drop by 0.45% following the debt payoff, and the District's operating funding will remain at current baseline levels.

Troy 30-C has scheduled community informational meetings for the taxpayers to hear and learn more about this referendum. All meetings will begin at 6pm and include a question/answer session with Troy 30-C Board Members. The remaining meetings will be held as follows:

• Monday, September 21 - Hofer Elementary, 910 Vertin Blvd, Shorewood
• Thursday, September 24 - Heritage Trail Elementary, 3389 Longford Dr., Joliet
• Tuesday, September 29 - WBO Intermediate School, 5820 Theodore, Plainfield
• Meeting in Spanish: Wednesday, September 30 - Craughwell Elementary, 3333 Black Road, Joliet

Complete ballot language, calculated rate impacts, and schedule details for upcoming opportunities to learn more can be found at: www.troy30c.org/futurefocus