As a concerned citizen living within the Unified School District 469 (USD 469), I vehemently oppose the proposed Reinvestment Housing Incentive District's plan to fund the Riverbend Heights subdivision. The developer of this project is requesting a steep 20-year tax incentive, under which the tax revenue generated by the project will be redirected to reimburse the developer for an estimated $27 million in infrastructure costs. The foundational issue here is that the city and the school district would see little to no tax revenue until the developer is paid back, which could take upward of 20 years.

The looming impact on our education system is deeply concerning. The potential influx of new students could lead to overcrowded schools, insufficient resources and stretched faculty. The financial pressure might necessitate new bonds, which inevitably would cause further tax increases to already overburdened residents of USD 469 – us, your neighbors and friends.

We must take a stand against policies that jeopardize our local schools and place additional financial strain on the residents. It is imperative that we prevent the establishment of the Reinvestment Housing Incentive District and protect our hard-earned money. Sign this petition. Stand with your community. Make your voice heard.