School board approves putting levy increase on ballot

A tax could soon double for residents in the Cedar Rapids Community School District.

On Monday, the district's school board approved a resolution to ask voters for permission to raise the district's Physical Plant and Equipment Levy from 67 cents per $1,000 of taxable valuation to $1.34 per $1,000, the maximum level allowed by the state.

The current levy is set to expire on June 30, 2015. If voters approve the increase, the new levy would have a 10-year term beginning on July 1, 2015. The levy question, which will be on the Tuesday, Sept. 10 school board election ballot, will also include language about allowing the district to fund the levy in part through an income surtax.

Physical Plant and Equipment Levy dollars are funds that Iowa schools districts use for facilities and operations. Administrators in the Cedar Rapids district have said they would like to use the additional dollars from a levy increase to fund repairs and upgrades listed in an $8.5 million enhanced operations and maintenance plan.

“I don't want anybody to be under the illusion that is vote will solve all of our problems from a fiscal nature,” said Superintendent Dave Benson. “I am concerned that our community understands this is critical issue for us to address ongoing maintenance issues. It will not solve the structural problems of a district that is growing older and older and older with our facilities.”