The Shelby County and Champaign County Budget Commissions will each hold upcoming public hearings to continue reviewing the Graham Local School District’s proposed levy reclassification.
The first hearing will take place in Shelby County on Monday, October 27, 2025, at 3 p.m. in the Basement Meeting Room of the Shelby County Annex Building, 129 East Court Street in Sidney.
The Champaign County hearing will follow on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at 6 p.m. in the Main Auditorium of the Champaign County Community Center, located at 1512 South U.S. Highway 68 in Urbana.
Both sessions concern the Graham Local School Board’s decision to reclassify five mills of inside General Fund millage to Permanent Improvement millage. The proposal would increase the amount of real property taxes levied within the district, effective in calendar year 2026.
According to county notices, the change would also create a deficit in the 20-mill floor, which must be replaced with unvoted millage when effective rates are calculated for the tax district.
A previous Champaign County hearing earlier this month was abruptly cut short after a man collapsed while speaking at the podium. Officials said he regained consciousness and remained alert as he received medical treatment. Out of respect for those involved, the meeting was postponed with no decision made.
During that hearing, school officials explained that the district is facing mounting financial pressures, including staffing shortages, transportation costs, and facility maintenance needs. They said these challenges have made it increasingly difficult to meet student needs under the current tax structure.
The board previously saw voters reject a one-percent income tax levy before opting to approve a permanent improvement levy without returning to the ballot.
The budget commissions in both counties must review and vote on whether to approve the proposed reclassification before it can take effect.
Both hearings are open to the public, and all interested residents are encouraged to attend.
