A physical plant and equipment levy measure put before Tri-County Community School District voters on Tuesday, September 8th failed by a wide margin, with unofficial results showing 34 votes against and 13 in favor — 72.34 percent no to 27.66 percent yes.
As Ottumwa Radio previously reported, the measure — Public Measure MK — asked voters whether to authorize the district to levy an annual voter-approved physical plant and equipment property tax not to exceed $1.34 per $1,000 of assessed valuation for a period of 10 years, beginning with the fiscal year ending June 30, 2029. If approved, the funds could have been used for purchasing and improving grounds, constructing or repairing school buildings, purchasing technology and equipment, energy conservation expenditures, and purchasing transportation equipment, among other uses.
On the day of the election, the district posted to social media pushing back against what it described as misleading information that had been circulating in the community. The district clarified that the measure would not have increased the current tax rate, as the $1.34 per thousand levy is already included in Tri-County’s current tax rate. The district also noted that PPEL funds cannot be used to pay employee salaries or other general fund expenses. However the post came too late to sway enough voters, with the measure falling well short of passage.
For context, the district shared fiscal year 2027 tax rates per thousand valuation for neighboring districts: Tri-County at $11.90, Sigourney at $11.49, Oskaloosa at $14.23, English Valleys at $11.75, and North Mahaska at $12.38.
