Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL)
1) The Marion Independent School District Board of Education is asking the community to renew the voted Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL) on March 5, 2024.
A PPEL is a voter-approved levy that generates funds for infrastructure and equipment repairs, purchases, and improvements. Funds can only be used for these purposes. Most Iowa schools have had a voted PPEL in place for more than a quarter of a century.
If the PPEL is renewed by voters on March 5, 2024, the district would continue to use the funds to cover costs related to building and grounds maintenance, technology advancements, and other allowed expenses.
The PPEL would ensure funds for another 10 years.
The existing PPEL approved by voters will sunset on July 1, 2025 without renewal.
If the PPEL is not renewed, the district would need to consider using general fund or SAVE money to support building upkeep, transportation, and technology, potentially delaying other planned projects.
2) Marion Independent School District receives approximately $1 million annually from its voter-approved Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL). The district relies on these funds to cover many crucial needs, including:
Ongoing maintenance for facilities, including roofing projects
Security enhancements (secure entrances, cameras, door systems, etc.) to keep students safe
Improving air quality, including a new HVAC system at Marion High School
Furniture purchases such as cafeteria tables and student desks
Technology purchases, allowing us to be 1:1 for student devices
Bus and van purchases for student transportation
Equipment purchases, including lawnmowers, floor scrubbers, and maintenance vehicles
Watch this video to learn more about how PPEL projects benefit students and staff at MISD:
3) Renewing the levy will not increase the property tax rate.
The MISD tax rate has remained steady for the past seven years.
Renewing the levy will maintain, not increase, the current tax rate.
The district wants to renew the voted PPEL at $1.34 per $1,000 of taxable value.
The overall tax rate was $18.01 in FY 2024.
The district and its board continue to examine ways to minimize impacts on property taxpayers. By extending the district’s voter-approved PPEL, we will continue to make investments to protect our district’s assets and ensure our students continue to have the opportunities they need to succeed.
4) When and Where to Vote:
- Tuesday, March 5th from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Absentee ballot information is now available. Contact the Linn County Auditor's Office.
- A satellite voting option will be available February 27th at the Marion High School cafeteria from 3:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
4) What Will Be On The Ballot:
The question on the ballot will read as follows:
Shall the Board of Directors of the Marion Independent School District, in the County of Linn, 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, 2026, 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 2025, or each year thereafter?
If you have additional questions, please contact the District Office at 319-377-4691.