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Keokuk voters can decide Tuesday on school district's use of new sales tax funds
By Diane Vance/Gate City Staff Writer
Keokuk School District residents will be asked to vote yes or no Tuesday on the school district's revenue purpose statement, approved by the school board this summer. The district is asking its residents if they approve how the funds collected on a sales tax can be spent.
A new state wide 1-cent sales tax will not increase the area's sales tax. The new tax replaces the 1 percent school infrastructure local option (SILO) sales tax that Lee County voters approved for 10 years in 2000.
“There are limited uses for these funds,” said Greg Reynolds, Keokuk School District business manager. “The state penny tax can be used for property tax relief, school infrastructure, which may include new buildings, remodeling, capital repairs, purchase of equipment such as transportation or technology, and it can provide funds for emergency repairs.
“The revenue purpose statement also will allow the district to borrow against the proceeds of the tax. That will allow the district to make needed capital improvements and repairs to facilities without additional tax burden to taxpayers.”
The revenue purpose statement is a new state requirement if a school district is going to be able to borrow against the state penny funds.
“If the district decides to borrow against some of our future proceeds from the sales tax, the revenue purpose statement helps ensure the funds cannot be scooped up by the state,” said Reynolds. “It is unconstitutional for the Legislature to take funds that have been borrowed against.”
Keokuk School District's revenue purpose statement is printed on Tuesday's ballot. A sample ballot was printed on page 10 of the Aug. 26 edition of the Daily Gate City.
Keokuk's revenue purpose statement says the funds can be allowed to:
Reduce bond, tax and all other debt levies.
Reduce the regular and voter-approved physical plant and equipment levy.
Reduce the public educational and recreational levy.
Reduce the schoolhouse tax levy.
Provide for payment or the retirement of bonds issued for school infrastructure purposes and loan agreements authorized by Iowa code.
Construct, reconstruct, repair, demolish, purchase, remodel, furnish, equip and improve new and existing school buildings, facilities, library facilities, stadiums, gyms, fieldhouses, bus garages and other infrastructure for the school district, including the procurement and improvement of construction sites and site improvements.
The purchase of grounds, including but not limited to, legal costs, survey costs, relocation costs and other costs incidental to acquisition.
Improvement of grounds for the school district, including but not limited to grading and landscaping, construction of sidewalks, roadways, sewers and storm drains, surfacing and soil treatment of athletic fields and tennis courts, exterior lighting, installing fences and demolition work.
Purchase, lease or lease-purchase of equipment as authorized by law, including transportation, computer and recreational equipment.
Purchase or lease-purchase option agreements for school buildings.
Expenditures for energy conservation.
Purchase of transportation equipment for transporting students.
Equipment purchases for recreational purposes.
Expenditures for educational and recreational activities authorized by Iowa code, including but not limited to establishment and maintenance of public recreation and playground areas.
For any school infrastructure in the district as defined by Iowa code.
For any other purposes authorized by law now or in the future.
“The tax funds cannot be used for salaries, benefits, textbooks or utilities,” said Reynolds.
The state penny revenue purpose statement vote is a district wide vote, not county by county. Also, this tax is extended until 2029.
“The intention of the Keokuk School Board and district is to provide the best possible education to the district,” said Reynolds. “Research shows that a modern facility has a major impact on learning for students. The proposed revenue purpose statement helps to ensure the district can provide current technology and modern facilities to the students while not increasing property taxes.”
Contact Reynolds at 524-1402 ext. 1605; Keokuk Interim Superintendent Dr. Lora Wolff at 524-1402 ext. 1616; or Keokuk School Board President Dr. Bill Davis at home at 524-5385 for more information.
A new state wide 1-cent sales tax will not increase the area's sales tax. The new tax replaces the 1 percent school infrastructure local option (SILO) sales tax that Lee County voters approved for 10 years in 2000.
“There are limited uses for these funds,” said Greg Reynolds, Keokuk School District business manager. “The state penny tax can be used for property tax relief, school infrastructure, which may include new buildings, remodeling, capital repairs, purchase of equipment such as transportation or technology, and it can provide funds for emergency repairs.
“The revenue purpose statement also will allow the district to borrow against the proceeds of the tax. That will allow the district to make needed capital improvements and repairs to facilities without additional tax burden to taxpayers.”
The revenue purpose statement is a new state requirement if a school district is going to be able to borrow against the state penny funds.
“If the district decides to borrow against some of our future proceeds from the sales tax, the revenue purpose statement helps ensure the funds cannot be scooped up by the state,” said Reynolds. “It is unconstitutional for the Legislature to take funds that have been borrowed against.”
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Keokuk's revenue purpose statement says the funds can be allowed to:
Reduce bond, tax and all other debt levies.
Reduce the regular and voter-approved physical plant and equipment levy.
Reduce the public educational and recreational levy.
Reduce the schoolhouse tax levy.
Provide for payment or the retirement of bonds issued for school infrastructure purposes and loan agreements authorized by Iowa code.
Construct, reconstruct, repair, demolish, purchase, remodel, furnish, equip and improve new and existing school buildings, facilities, library facilities, stadiums, gyms, fieldhouses, bus garages and other infrastructure for the school district, including the procurement and improvement of construction sites and site improvements.
The purchase of grounds, including but not limited to, legal costs, survey costs, relocation costs and other costs incidental to acquisition.
Improvement of grounds for the school district, including but not limited to grading and landscaping, construction of sidewalks, roadways, sewers and storm drains, surfacing and soil treatment of athletic fields and tennis courts, exterior lighting, installing fences and demolition work.
Purchase, lease or lease-purchase of equipment as authorized by law, including transportation, computer and recreational equipment.
Purchase or lease-purchase option agreements for school buildings.
Expenditures for energy conservation.
Purchase of transportation equipment for transporting students.
Equipment purchases for recreational purposes.
Expenditures for educational and recreational activities authorized by Iowa code, including but not limited to establishment and maintenance of public recreation and playground areas.
For any school infrastructure in the district as defined by Iowa code.
For any other purposes authorized by law now or in the future.
“The tax funds cannot be used for salaries, benefits, textbooks or utilities,” said Reynolds.
The state penny revenue purpose statement vote is a district wide vote, not county by county. Also, this tax is extended until 2029.
“The intention of the Keokuk School Board and district is to provide the best possible education to the district,” said Reynolds. “Research shows that a modern facility has a major impact on learning for students. The proposed revenue purpose statement helps to ensure the district can provide current technology and modern facilities to the students while not increasing property taxes.”
Contact Reynolds at 524-1402 ext. 1605; Keokuk Interim Superintendent Dr. Lora Wolff at 524-1402 ext. 1616; or Keokuk School Board President Dr. Bill Davis at home at 524-5385 for more information.
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