Districts, Hawkeye Community College see funding measures approved

CEDAR RAPIDS - Three elections Tuesday for two school districts in Linn County and Hawkeye Community College saw three approvals for various funding projects.

The North-Linn school district asked voters to approve a physical plant and equipment levy. Administrators say they need the money for several projects, including new buses and bleachers at sports venues.

It passed with 66-percent of the vote, meaning taxpayers in the district will pay an extra $1.34 for each $1,000 of assessed value.

The district says it will cut its property tax rate by a corresponding amount so residents do not see their bills change.

In the Alburnett Community School District needed to ask voters before changing language on its Revenue Purpose Statement. The new wording would give the district more flexibility on spending money from a one-cent sales tax. Officials would still have to use the money for a defined list of purposes, such as building or maintaining schools, equipment or property tax relief.

Voters approved the change by an 82 to 18-percent margin.

Both the North-Linn and Alburnett measures needed 50% approval to pass, while Hawkeye Community College needed 60% approval for a $25-million bond issue. A spokesperson said 77% of voters in the college's 10-county region said 'yes” to the plan, which will help pay for a new adult education center which will replace two older ones. Part of the money also will support efforts to build a new health science technology center, expand job training and improve outreach efforts.