Northwest Iowa — In addition to city and school candidates, your November 2nd ballot may include a question or two from your city and/or school district.
In Boyden, there will be a question asking whether the city should switch the use of the one-percent sales tax from property tax relief to capital improvements.
If you live in the Rock Valley Community School District, your ballot will contain two questions from the school. One will deal with a Physical Plant and Equipment or PPEL (pronounced “pepple”), and the other is a revenue purpose statement.
As we’ve told you when we talked to Superintendent Cory Myer, the Sheldon Community School District ballots will also have a revenue purpose statement question. Click here for that story.
The West Lyon ballots will also have a revenue purpose statement question, as will the Central Lyon ballots. In the Central Lyon district, they will also be asking a PPEL question.
Those living in the Sibley-Ocheyedan Community School District will also be asked about a revenue purpose statement.
According to O’Brien County Auditor Barb Rohwer, the revenue purpose statements have been common on ballots. Experts say that in 2019, the Iowa Legislature extended the one-cent sales tax through 2051. They say if Iowa districts want to use these funds for long-term facility planning beyond 2031, the Revenue Purpose Statement must be updated to align with the 2019 legislative changes.
Rohwer says the PPEL statements have an expiration date that is specific to each school district.
Find your sample ballot for the November 2nd election here:
Lyon County Ballots
O’Brien County Ballots
Osceola County Ballots
Sioux County Ballots
