The Coles County Board members heard an extensive battery of opinions Wednesday night concerning a tax cap referendum proposal before unanimously voting in its favor.

Speakers from the audience provided everything from simple statements to eloquent presentations arguing different sides of the cause.

The 90-minute deliberation saw homeowners pitted against members of the local education community.

Each side pleaded the validity of their proposed tax numbers and figures while attempting to discredit those of their opponents.

The meeting exceeded the normal seating capacity and was moved to a larger courtroom.

The Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (PTELL) is a tool granted to the counties by the state but used by less than 50 percent of all Illinois counties, said former Lake Land College president and current county board member Robert Webb.

The PTELL referendum will now go on the Nov. 5 ballot for voter approval. If approved, PTELL would limit the total property tax increase the county board could impose in a year to 5 percent.

Edwin Wetzel, who is a member of the Coles County Taxpayers Association, worked to get the board to hear the issue at former board meetings.

In a brief statement to the board Wednesday night, Wetzel stated, “This issue should reflect the direct will of the people and not that of the government.”

One speaker from the audience noted that on five separate occasions the people of Coles County had voted against school tax increases only to have the board and districts raise them anyway.

“Many people think only landowners pay for tax increases. That’s not true, renters pay for tax increases,” stated Dale Standerfer of the Coles County Landlord Association. “Many of our tenants college students who have fixed incomes. This issue needs to be brought to the voters.”

Speakers on the other side of the issue included educational community members like the Coles County assistant superintendent of Mattoon schools and Rick Hall, president of the Mattoon Community School Board .

“Voters do not want, nor do they have time to study the complicated issues,” he said. “Voters want elected officials to do their jobs and make informed decisions.”

On other issues, the board unanimously approved a resolution regarding tax levy allocations for senior citizens. The board also amended the ordinance establishing a 911 board and its members. The 911 board will now include one member of the University Police Department.