Champaign County is facing a million-dollar structural deficit, meaning more money is going out than coming in.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WAND) - Champaign County is facing a million-dollar structural deficit, meaning more money is going out than coming in.

Now, city leaders are asking voters for their input. The question on the ballot will ask if the county should increase taxes or cut jobs. 

"Neither choice is a great choice. You don't want to see services cut. You don't want to see people losing their jobs. But we also are right now living in times where we have some of the highest taxes, especially here in this part of central Illinois," said Vice Chairman of the Finance John Farney. 

This non-binding advisory question, which means nothing changes right away. But the results will help county leaders make future changes.   

"I want to see a very clear choice. If the voters say cut positions, then we need to be ready to start making those cuts and balance our budget," Farney said.  

If the majority of residents vote to raise the sales tax, the county could increase the tax by 25 cents for every $100 of goods purchased. 

"It would be the things that you see sales tax on, at most of your stores that we go to your Wal-Mart's and Meijer's and places like that, but not the grocery side of things, not the medicine side of things," Farney said.  

The deficit is in the general fund, which is how many county bills and salaries are paid. John Farney said health insurance is a major cause of the deficit. 

"We're getting punched really hard on that. If we didn't have health insurance increases of almost $1 million a year, we might not be in this spot," Farney said.  

Depending on the primary election vote, residents could see another referendum on the November ballot that would be binding. If the majority of voters say yes to increasing taxes, the county could implement the tax fairly quickly. 

"If we went to the voters in November and it was successful, we would start seeing that revenue come in by, say, March of 2027. Which would give us a good amount of that year to collect that revenue. And it would alleviate some of the need for cuts," Farney said. 

Farney said voters can request a non-partisan ballot at the polls to ensure their voices are heard. Residents do not have to choose a political party to vote in this election is heard. 

Primary election day is March 17. 

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