OTTUMWA —
The vote is still three months away, but the League of Women Voters is preparing a panel forum surrounding the Local Option Sales Tax.
The 1 percent sales tax, referred to as LOST, is up for renewal this fall. The tax has been in effect in Ottumwa since 1998 and is supposed to sunset in 2015, but the renewal would extend it to 2025.
The forum has tentatively been set for Nov. 1, the Thursday before the general election.
“We have tentatively planned to have the candidate forum, then a forum with some of the administrators in Chillicothe, Eldon, Blakesburg, the municipalities that depend on LOST financing, as well as those in Ottumwa,” said Jean Dell, voter services coordinator for the LWV.
City Finance Director Bob Jay previously told the Courier that 10 percent of the funds raised from the tax will go toward property tax relief, with the other 90 percent going toward streets and sewers.
The city has said that the renewal of the tax is necessary in order to keep sewer rates as low as possible and to continue to fund street and sewer repairs. Opponents have argued that the tax is misused.
Approximately $3.1 million will be raised through the tax, $2.79 million of that heading directly to the city’s Expanded Street Repair Program and the continuing EPA-mandated sewer separation project.
In the past, the sales tax has been used to retire Bridge View Center bonds, with the remaining revenues going toward street and sewer projects.
Dell said she has seen a lot of negative reaction regarding the sales tax, with several calling for citizens to vote “no” to renew the tax.
“The reality of life is we need that money to be able to maintain our community,” Dell said.
Local News
Debating the Local Option Sales Tax
Forum to be held this fall regarding renewal of the 1 percent sales tax
- Local News
-
- Ottumwa lands 2015 Iowa Tourism Conference OTTUMWA — It takes two southeast Iowa communities to yank the opportunity to host the Iowa Tourism Conference from Des Moines. Ottumwa Area Convention and Visitors Bureau executive director Mark Eckman was stunned by how quickly the Iowa Tourism Offi
- County to learn about disaster declarations OTTUMWA — The county is a step closer to finding out if they'll be getting money from the federal government. "FEMA was here last week, doing a damage assessment," said Wapello County Engineer Brian Moore during a meeting of the Wapello County Board
- Locals want to help Oklahoma emergency crews will report specific needs soon OTTUMWA — The sound of the telephone ringing is evidence to Julie Smithart that residents of Wapello County do care. The tornado damage to lives and property in Oklahoma has brought out the best in people, said Smithart, an AmeriCorps volunteer assig
-
Barber shows no signs of cutting career short
OTTUMWA -- Darrell Smith's hands are steady and sure as he picks up his clippers and straight razor to begin his first haircut and shave of the day. Smith, 88, has cut hair for 62 years and has owned Smitty's Barber Shop on Albia Road for the past 58
- Making memories on stage -- and off OTTUMWA -- Sold-out shows last year inspired Bridge View Center management to continue finding high-quality acts, they announced Monday. The venue's executive director, Larry Gawronski, said last year, booking good, expensive shows was a "leap of f
- Roaring winds Southeast Iowa in clean-up mode after storm passes through OTTUMWA — Work crews in and around Wapello County put in a lot of hours. And they were ready to do it again. “We had the storms roll through there last night,” said Ryan Stensland, a spokesman for Alliant Energy. “Down in southeast part of the state,
-
Flood debris removal up for consideration
OTTUMWA — A month after heavy rainfall caused rivers and streams to flood Ottumwa streets and homes, the city council will solidify a plan to remove the debris left behind. At the council's meeting tonight, members will consider awarding the $12,500
-
Community baccalaureate service Wednesday
OTTUMWA -- Seniors in the Ottumwa High School area will once again be special guests at the community baccalaureate service at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in the high school auditorium. This is an annual gathering o
-
Storms forecast to return later Monday
OTTUMWA -- The first severe weather outbreak of the year didn't do as much damage to southeast Iowa as in other areas, but it's likely on to round two today.
-
Reviving downtown's upper stories
Building by building, the upper stories of downtown Ottumwa are coming back to life after some have sat empty for half a century.
- More Local News Headlines
