Election Day is Coming! Learn about the Revenue Purpose Statement

Why are we voting on November 5th?

Last spring, the governor signed into law an extension of Secure an Advanced Vision for Education or (SAVE). This extension runs through the year 2050.

SAVE allows Linn-Mar, and all public school districts in the state, the opportunity to borrow against the money each district would receive through the statewide penny sales tax for schools. Those funds are used to pay for school infrastructure projects.

However, before Linn-Mar can use the funding for long-term projects (through 2050), the voters must approve a new revenue purpose statement (RPS). The RPS will be on the ballot on Tuesday, November 5^th.

The revenue purpose statement indicates how Linn-Mar plans to use the SAVE funds in the future.

Just like our current revenue purpose statement, which expires in 2031, Linn-Mar plans to continue to use the SAVE funds to:

Provide property tax relief ($9 million dollars so far),
Continue technology upgrades in all buildings ($9.8 million dollars to date)
Fund capital improvement projects ($82 million dollars thus far)

Past SAVE funds were also used for:

Capital improvement projects including construction of Linn Grove, Novak and Echo Hill elementary schools.
Restroom, roof and flooring replacements and other renovations at our historic buildings including the high school.
Security and safety upgrades in all of our buildings.

The RPS is not additional funding or taxation for patrons. The Revenue Purpose Statement simply allows the district to spend the funds as allowed by Iowa law.

A simple majority (50% +1) is needed for passage.

Please vote November 5^th! Notice 10.4.19 RS

This is how the question will appear on the ballot.

In the Linn-Mar Community School District, the following Revenue Purpose Statement which specifies the use of revenues the Linn-Mar Community School District will receive from the State of Iowa Secure an Advanced Vision For Education Fund shall be adopted:

To provide funds for property tax relief.

To provide funds to acquire or install information technology infrastructure (including improving buildings or sites for the purpose of accessing broadband digital telecommunications) and school safety and security infrastructure.

To provide funds to build and furnish a new school building or buildings; to build and furnish additions(s) to school buildings in the District; to remodel, reconstruct, repair, expand, and improve the school buildings in the District; to purchase and improve grounds; for demolition work; to furnish and equip district facilities.

To provide funds for the purchase, lease or lease-purchase of buildings, equipment (including transportation and recreation equipment), or technology and to repair transportation equipment for transporting students as authorized by law, to implement energy conservation measures, sharing or rental of facilities including a joint infrastructure project for the purposes of offering classes under a district-to-community college as authorized in Iowa Code Section 423F.3(3)(c), procuring or acquisition of libraries, or opening roads to schoolhouses or buildings.

To provide funds to purchase land as part of start-up costs for new student construction program or if the sale of the previous student construction was insufficient to purchase land, and to purchase construction materials and supplies for a student-constructed building or shed intended to be retained by and used by the District.

To provide funds to make payments to a municipality or other entity as required under Iowa Code Section 403.19(2).

To provide funds for demolition, cleanup, and other costs if such costs are necessitated by, and incurred within two years of, a disaster.

To provide funds to establish and maintain public recreation places and playgrounds; provide for supervision and instruction for recreational activities; or for community education purposes.

To provide funds for the payment of principal and interest or retirement of general obligation bonds issued for school infrastructure purposes, energy improvement loans, loan agreements authorized by Iowa Code Section 297.36, sales, service and use tax revenue bonds issued under Iowa Code Section 423E.5 or Iowa Code Section 423F.4; and

To provide funds for other authorized expenditures and purposes as now or hereafter permitted by law and designated by the Linn-Mar Community School District.

How can I learn more?

If you have a question about the Revenue Purpose Statement or vote on November 5, 2019, please email info@linnmar.k12.ia.us

NOTICE OF ELECTION
The Linn-Mar Community School District intends to replace its existing revenue purpose statement with the following revenue purpose statement in order to comply with the requirements of the Iowa Code to authorize the expenditure of revenues (SAVE Revenue) from the State of Iowa Secure an Advanced Vision for Education Fund (SAVE) received by the Linn-Mar Community School District.

Money received by the Linn-Mar Community School District from the State of Iowa Secure an Advanced Vision for Education Fund may be spent for any one or more of the following purposes:
To provide funds for property tax relief.

To provide funds to build and furnish a new school building or buildings; to build and furnish addition(s) to school buildings in the District; to remodel, reconstruct, repair, expand, and improve the school buildings in the District; to purchase and improve grounds; for demolition work; to furnish and equip district facilities.

To provide funds to make payments to a municipality or other entity as required under Iowa Code Section 403.19(2).

To provide funds for demolition, cleanup, and other costs if such costs are necessitated by, and incurred within two years of, a disaster.

To provide funds to establish and maintain public recreation places and playgrounds; provide for supervision and instruction for recreational activities; or for community education purposes.

To provide funds for other authorized expenditures and purposes as now or hereafter permitted by law and designated by the Linn-Mar Community School District.

It being understood that if this proposition should fail to be approved by the voters, such failure shall not be construed to terminate or restrict authority previously granted by the voters to expend receipts from the Secure an Advanced Vision for Education Fund.

If approved, this Revenue Purpose Statement shall remain in effect until replaced or amended by the Linn-Mar Community School District.

Iowa Code Section 423F.3(3)(b)(2)(a) Notice:

If a majority of eligible electors voting on the question fail to approve this Revenue Purpose Statement, then upon expiration of the current Revenue Purpose Statement, revenues received by the School District from the Secure an Advanced Vision for Education fund shall be expended in the following order:

The payment of bonds for which SAVE Revenue has been pledged;

Reduction of bond levies under Iowa Code Sections 298.18 and 298.18A and all other debt levies;

Reduction of the regular and voter-approved physical plant and equipment levy under Iowa Code Section 298.2;

Reduction of the public educational and recreational levy under Iowa Code Section 300.2;
For any authorized infrastructure purpose of the school district as defined in Iowa Code Section 423F.3(6); and

For the payment of principal and interest on bonds issued under Iowa Code Sections 423E.5 and 423F.4.

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