Voters weigh-in on non-school board ballot issues

Citizens throughout eight area school districts voted on several non-school board ballot measures during the school board election Tuesday. All measures needed a simply majority to pass and although most voters supported the public measures, however, one district turned down a proposed levy aimed at increasing funds to support maintaining facilities and additional equipment.

Physical Plant and Equipment Levy

Voters in the Cedar Rapids School District turned down the school district's proposed PPEL with 57 percent voting against the levy, which would have increased the tax levy from 67 cents per $1,000 to the state-allowed maximum of $1.34 per $1,000. The district will have to hold a special election to set the levy rate before it expires June 30, 2015. The vote also turned down an income surtax.

Residents in Iowa City and Marion Independent School Districts voted in support of a property tax of $1.34 per $1,000 of assessed value of taxable property that will begin July 1, 2016 and will last 10 years.

Alburnett, Lisbon, and Clear Creek Amana School Districts asked voters to renew a property tax of 67 cents per $1,000 of assessed value. Voters approved the 10-year levies, which will begin July 1, 2014 for Alburnett and July 1, 2016 for Lisbon and Clear Creek Amana. Voters in Clear Creek Amana and Lisbon districts also approved an income surtax, which will not exceed 20 percent.

The physical plant and equipment levy helps fund maintaining facilities throughout the district and additional equipment.

Kirkwood Community College Instructional Levy

All eight districts joined voters in seven Iowa counties and weighed in on the renewal of an instructional equipment levy that is expected to generate $1.2 million yearly to fund the purchase of technology and equipment for the school. Voters supported the property tax of 6 cents per $1,000 of assessed value. The measure will be in place for 10 years and will begin July 1, 2015.

Public Education and Recreation Levy

The Mount Vernon School District ballot included a request for voters to approve a property tax rate of 13.5 cents per $1,000 of assessed value. Voters approved the levy and funds generated will go towards the construction and maintenance of of district playgrounds and recreation sites. The levy will go into effect July 1, 2014.

Revenue Purpose Statement

Voters in the Lone Tree School District approved  a revision of the revenue purpose statement that will give school district officials more flexibility in the spending of funds generated from the 1-cent sales tax. The new revenue purpose statement will take effect in 2017 and will be good for 10 years.