Winnebago County voters will see River Bluff tax referendum in June

By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — Voters this summer will be asked whether they’re willing to pay more taxes to support the operation of the county-owned River Bluff nursing facility.

Winnebago County Board members voted Thursday night to put that question to voters on the June 28 primary election ballot. The referendum would be advisory, meaning the outcome would be used to inform County Board members decision but they would not be bound to the vote.

Related: Tax increase? Sale? Lease? County Board weighs future of River Bluff

Board members who pushed forward the referendum aren’t advocating for the tax increase, instead they’re looking for feedback from residents as they weigh the future of the facility. River Bluff is expected to operate at a $2.37 million net loss this fiscal year, according to the county’s budget. Some County Board members say they should consider selling or leasing the facility to a private operator if residents don’t want to pay additional taxes to support it. The county has owned and operated River Bluff since 1883.

County Board member John Butitta, a Republican who represents District 8, pushed forward the referendum but has said he isn’t advocating for a tax increase. He prefers selling or leasing the facility but wants voter feedback before the county explores those options. Others say the nursing facility fills an important need for the community, and the estimated increase of $25 annually for the owner of a $150,000 home is minimal for the service provided.

How it affects your tax bill

The county levies a 0.044 property tax rate for River Bluff, generating roughly $1.9 million in taxes annually. By law, the maximum rate for the nursing facility is 0.10. Raising the rate to the maximum would raise more than $2 million in revenue.

It would cost the owner of a $150,000 home roughly $25 more a year on the portion of the tax bill that goes toward River Bluff. The owner of a $100,000 home would pay about $15 more per year, and the owner of a $171,000 home (the average sale price in the region last year) would pay nearly $30 more.

Each calculation assumes property owners are receiving the $6,000 home owner’s exemption, but no other deductions are included in the estimation.

Related: ‘Remarkable and unparalleled’: 2021 was a ‘housing boom’ for the Rockford region

On the ballot

Here’s how the referendum will be worded for voters on the June 28 primary ballot.

“Shall the county of Winnebago, Illinois, continue to own and operate a short-term rehabilitative/long-term skilled nursing facility for the residents of all incomes by increasing the amount levied by the county from 0.0445% to 0.1% for the specific purpose of maintaining the River Bluff Nursing Home? (i.e. The property tax rate increase on a $150,000 home would approximately result in a $25 annual increase on your tax bill.)”

This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on Twitter at @KevinMHaas.