School District PPEL Vote April 4

Residents of the Glenwood Community School District will go to the polls Tuesday, April 4, to decide the fate of a 10-year, Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL) to fund the overhaul of the district’s athletic complex, a project that’s expected to carry a price tag of up to $6 million. Voting will take place at the Glenwood American Legion Hall (104 N. Vine St.) from noon - 8 p.m. Early / absentee ballots are available now at the Mills County Auditor’s Office.

The measure authorizes the school district to issue a special property tax levy up to $1.34 per $1,000 assessed valuation for 10 years, beginning July 1, 2017. Approval by a simple majority (50 percent, plus 1) of voters is needed for passage.

For the owner of a home in the school district assessed at $150,000, passage of the PPEL will result in an annual cost of about $108 for the next 10 years.

The proposed facelift of Ram Memorial Field includes new seating for up to 2,700 fans, installation of artificial turf, a new track surface, multi-tiered grandstand, expanded press box, locker, meeting and training rooms, new entrances and concession area, expanded parking and a dedicated bus and passenger vehicle unloading zone.

The Glenwood Youth Action Committee (YAC) - a group of community volunteers - has been promoting the project  for the past three years, noting that the district’s current athletic facility, built in the 1950s, is worn and outdated.

Initial plans called for the new facility to be privately funded, but a feasibility study conducted last year by an Omaha-based consulting firm indicated although there is high interest in the project, there’s insufficient financial commitment in the community to build the facility with private dollars.

If the PPEL fails, school district officials have indicated repairs and improvements to the existing facility will have to be made one project at a time over the next several years.

Thursday, March 30, YAC members are hosting a public forum about the PPEL vote at the stadium field house and tours of the existing athletic complex. The first tour will be offered at 6 p.m., followed by the informational forum and a second tour.
 

The Opinion-Tribune

116 S Walnut St Glenwood, IA 51534-1665
P.O. Box 377, Red Oak, IA 51566
Phone: 712-527-3191
Phone: 712-623-2566
Fax: 712-527-3193

Comment Here