School bond and tax elections in Iowa
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School Bond and tax elections in Iowa happen under two circumstances:
- When a school district must exceed the limit set on tax levies.
- When a school district must issue new bonding.
Laws affecting school finance in Iowa
Bond issue law
In Iowa, any new issuance of bonds by a school district requires voter approval[1]. If a bond issue gets defeated a school district must wait 60 days before issuing another ballot question[1].
Physical plant levy law
In Iowa, a school district must have a ballot measure in order to exceed a limit set on physical plant levies. Physical plant levies are levies designed for building new facilities and capital improvements. Iowa voters can approve up to $1.34 per $1,000 of taxable property in extension of a physical plant levy as long the total amount does not exceed $1.67 per $1,000 in taxable property. [2].
School district growth rate
In Iowa, school districts are held to a growth rate on how much they can increase spending in their budgets every year. Under Iowa Law, the growth rate is set to four percent. However, Iowa is different than other states as the Iowa Governor and the Iowa General Assembly has the final say on whether the growth rate goes up or down. The growth rate is determined when the Iowa State Budget is deliberated[3].
The allowable growth for Iowa is calculated by multiplying the statewide percent of growth for the budget year by the regular education cost per pupil for the base year and the growth rate must take into account special education support services allowable growth. This separate growth rate is calculated by multiplying the state percent of growth for the budget year by the special education support services state cost per pupil for the base year[3]. The current growth rate under Iowa Law is four percent[3].
Conduct of the bond election, limitations, rules
Authority that conducts elections
The County Auditor serves as the responsible election authority for school bond elections[4].
Election Dates
During a odd-numbered year, elections can be held during the first Tuesday in February and April. Also, school districts in odd numbered years can hold elections during the last Tuesday in June, or the second Tuesday in September. In a even-numbered year, elections can be held during the first Tuesday in February, April, and December. School districts can also hold bond elections during the second Tuesday in September in a even numbered year[5].
Form of measures
In Iowa, all ballot measures have strict laws on the formatting when placed on the ballot.
Shall the following amendment to the Constitution (or public measure) be adopted?
- Yes ____
- No ____[6].
The response is marked by a pen using an "X" or if used by an electronic machine a other distinguishing mark like a check mark, etc[7].
All ballot measures must be on the same ballot with other constitutional officers on the ballot if possible. If paper ballots are used, school bond measures must be put on a ballot of a different color not to confuse voters[8].
All wording of ballot questions must be approved by the County Election Commissioner[9].
Needed majority
In Iowa, only a simple majority (50 percent plus one) is needed to approve a school bond election[2].
Special elections
All school bond elections in Iowa are considered to be special elections under Iowa Law. [10] [5].
Required notice of bond election
Under Iowa law, there is no time period required that must elapse after a school board approves a resolution for a bond referendum till the election. However, Iowa law mandates a minimum 20 days public notice for an election[11].
External links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Iowa General Assembly" Iowa Bond Issue Law(Iowa Statutes 75.1-Sections 1 and 2)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Iowa General Assembly" Iowa Physical Plant Levy Law(Iowa Statutes 298.2-Section 1)
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Iowa General Assembly" Iowa Growth Rate Law(Referenced Statute 257.8)
- ↑ "Iowa General Assembly" Iowa Election Law(Iowa Statutes 47.2)
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Iowa General Assembly" Iowa Election Law (Iowa Statutes Section 39.2, Section 4(c))
- ↑ "Iowa General Assembly" Iowa Election Law(Iowa Statutes 49.45)
- ↑ "Iowa General Assembly" Iowa Election Law(Iowa Statutes 49.46)
- ↑ "Iowa General Assembly" Iowa Election Law(Iowa Statutes 49.43)
- ↑ "Iowa General Assembly" Iowa Election Law(Iowa Statutes 49.44)
- ↑ "Iowa General Assembly" Iowa Election Law(Iowa Statutes 277.2)
- ↑ "Iowa Legislature" Iowa Election Law(Referenced Statute 49.53)
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