Patrons of the Riverside Community School District are heading to the polls today to cast their ballot during a Special Election to seek voter approval for a Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL) Property Tax, and a PPEL Income Surtax. The Public Measure essentially asks if the District will be permitted to impose the levy for 10-years, at a tax rate not to exceed $1.34 per $1,000 taxable valuation, beginning with the levy of property taxes for collection in the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2021, and a not to exceed 2% income surtax effective December 31st, 2020. A 50% plus 1 simple majority of votes are needed, in order for the measure to pass. Polling places are at the Oakland and Carson Community Centers, and Macedonia City Hall. The polls are open until 8-p.m. The first proposal presented to District patrons was defeated April 2^nd , with 56.4% opposed and 43.6% in favor. Voter turnout during the previous election was a low, 21.4 percent.

School officials say if it is approved this time around, the PPEL would generate an estimated $3.7 million over the 10-year period for capital improvement projects, such as the aging HVAC system at the Elementary and Intermediate schools. Revenue raised from the surtax – if approved – would be used to pay down the property tax levy to an estimated $1.29 per $1,000 of valuation.

(Read the full ballot Public Measure here):

“Shall the Board of Directors of the Riverside Community School District, in the County of Pottawattamie, State of Iowa, for the purpose of purchasing and improving grounds; constructing schoolhouses or buildings and opening roads to schoolhouses or buildings;purchasing of buildings; purchase,lease or lease-purchase of technology and equipment; paying debts contracted for the erection or construction of schoolhouses or buildings, not including interest on bonds; procuring or acquisition of libraries; repairing, remodeling,reconstructing, improving, or expanding the schoolhouses or buildings and additions to existing schoolhouses;expenditures for energy conservation;renting facilities under Chapter 28E;purchasing transportation equipment for transporting students; lease purchase option agreements for school buildings or equipment; purchasing equipment authorized by law; or for any purpose or purposes now or hereafter authorized by law, be authorized for a period of ten (10) years to levy and impose a voter-approved physical plant and equipment tax of not exceeding One Dollar Thirty-Four Cents ($1.34)per One Thousand Dollars ($1,000) of assessed valuation of the taxable property within the school district, and be authorized annually, in combination,as determined by the board, to levy a physical plant and equipment property tax upon all the taxable property within the school district commencing with the levy of property taxes for collection in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021,and to impose a physical plant and equipment income surtax upon the state individual income tax of each individual income taxpayer resident in the school district on December 31 for each calendar year commencing with calendar year 2020, such surtax not to exceed two percent (2%) to be determined by the Board each year?”