Dear Bobcats,

We have exciting news to share! The Benton Community Board of Education took action at last week's board meeting to approve a resolution ordering a March 5th, 2024 election on a Voter Approved Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (VPPEL). This levy would generate revenue through a property tax and an income surtax. The Board utilized your responses from facility surveys to determine the priority areas and next steps for the district.

• Safety and security enhancements at all of our attendance centers.

• Upgrade HVAC systems in all of our attendance centers.

• Complete renovations to indoor learning environments. Examples could include flooring, wall coverings, ceilings/lighting, electrical, ADA accessibility, and more.

• Complete outdoor renovations to all attendance centers. Examples could include tuckpoint work, landscaping, signage, playgrounds, doors, roof repair, and more.

The March 5th election needs 50%+1 votes in favor of the VPPEL resolution to pass. Upon passage, the VPPEL would be enacted for 10 years. It is estimated that using income surtax for the $1.34 voter approved PPEL levy will increase the overall tax rate for stakeholders by approximately $0.74 per $1,000 of assessed value.

In closing, it is our intent to keep stakeholders informed. Stay up-to-date with communication and learn more online by following our Facebook page and checking our website as information is updated. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out at any time!

GO BOBCATS!

James Bieschke, Superintendent

Your Voice, Your Vote: March 5, 2024

Thank you for the tremendous feedback about the future of Benton Community School facilities. Over 1,700 surveys were completed by a diverse sample of people across our community. This level of civic engagement is something to celebrate. It’s evidence of how we all care about quality education.

Survey data showed overwhelming agreement to invest in safe, secure and equitable schools across the district while minimizing the tax impact. This is why the Benton Community School Board asks the community to consider a Voter-Approved Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL) on March 5, 2024.

What is VPPEL?

• The $1.34 VPPEL is a Voter-approved Physical Plant and Equipment Levy authorized by Chapter 298 of the Iowa Code. The VPPEL is a maximum of 10 years. The revenues are restricted to school building improvements, repairs, maintenance, technology upgrades, purchasing school buses, or new construction. (The Board has identified priorities for improvement that include some, but not all, of these areas.) 

• The previous voter-approved PPEL expired in 2010 and was used to improve district facilities and transportation. In 2010, the District was able to generate an average of $649,378 per year on the $1.34 VPPEL.  

• If passed, this VPPEL would generate approximately $1,094,000 per year to be used for safety and security enhancements at all attendance centers, as well as, heating and cooling systems (HVAC) across all centers, and interior and exterior maintenance updates at all centers. 

• The March 5, 2024 ballot language will be to request a $1.34 VPPEL funded with property tax and income surtax. The vote for the PPEL requires a 50% +1 majority to be approved.

How will the VPPEL funds be used?

Feedback from our Benton Community stakeholder surveys helped the board prioritize the following areas: 

• Safety and security enhancements at all of our attendance centers.

• Upgrade HVAC systems in all of our attendance centers.

• Complete renovations to indoor learning environments. Examples could include flooring, wall coverings, ceilings/lighting, electrical, ADA accessibility, and more.

• Complete outdoor renovations to all attendance centers. Examples could include tuckpoint work, landscaping, signage, playgrounds, doors, roof repair, and more.

Benton’s $1.34 voter-approved PPEL levy would generate revenue for district improvements from a combination of property tax and income surtax. The income surtax percentage is set each year by the Board during the budget process. It is estimated that by using income surtax for the $1.34 voter-approved PPEL levy will increase the overall tax rate for stakeholders approximately $0.74 per $1,000 of assessed value.

The voter-approved PPEL would generate approximately $1,094,000 per year for the next 10 years. 

What is the timeline of improvements?

The intent is that all school buildings will see improvements within one year, if the VPPEL passes. We will phase in work completion so that all students benefit from the revenue generated by the VPPEL. Cost estimates are being updated from previous years’ work. Specifics around project timelines are a constant work in progress for the board. The goal of the board is to see improvements at all centers as soon as design, bids, and construction can be completed.

When is the vote?

The special election will be held Tuesday, March 5th from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Absentee Ballots will be available beginning Wednesday, February 14, for mail and in-person voting. Please see the information from the Benton County Auditor. Read the Special Election information from Benton County.

Where can I vote?

Find your polling place by visiting the Iowa Secretary of State’s website here. You may also reach out to the county Auditor's Office for more information on where to vote. Because of the type of election that is being held, registered voters in Benton County may cast a ballot at any voting center within Benton County. If it is easier to access one voting center rather than another, feel free to do so! This does not apply to voters in Iowa County and Tama County.

What will be on the ballot?

The question on the ballot will read as follows due to the nature of legally allowed VPPEL expenditures. It is important to know that with the allowed expenditures of VPPEL the district has four priority areas that will be addressed. 

• Safety and security enhancements at all of our attendance centers.

• Upgrade HVAC systems in all of our attendance centers.

• Complete renovations to indoor learning environments. Examples could include flooring, wall coverings, ceilings/lighting, electrical, ADA accessibility, and more.

• Complete outdoor renovations to all attendance centers. Examples could include tuckpoint work, landscaping, signage, playgrounds, doors, roof repair, and more.

The question on the ballot will read as follows:

Shall the Board of Directors of the Benton Community School District, in the Counties of Benton, Tama and Iowa, 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 Iowa Code 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, 2025, 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 2024, or each year thereafter.

Questions?

If you want to learn more about the VPPEL yourself or have information about the VPEL shared with a group you're part of, you can reach out to our team at Central Office and we will arrange a time to meet or visit on the phone. Benton CSD Central Office 319-228-8701, ext 1503. If have additional questions, please visit the Benton VPPEL page.