George-Little Rock Notice of Election – Re-Approval of Revenue Purpose Statement
In the 2019 Legislative Session, the Secure and Advanced Vision for Education (SAVE) Tax (the statewide penny) was extended by Iowa Legislature through December 31, 2050. As a part of that extension, there was a requirement that each school district revises their existing Revenue Purpose Statement through a vote of the public by a simple majority. Our current Revenue Purpose Statements are valid through December 2029.
If the GLR School District wants to continue to use these funds for long-term facility planning beyond 2029, the RPS must be re-approved to align with the 2019 legislative changes.
Will re-approving the RPS raise my taxes? No. The Iowa Legislature approved the sales tax to go through 2051. This is NOT a property tax but a sales tax paid at the time of purchase, so you’ll pay regardless of whether the Revenue Purpose Statement is re-approved. Re-approval of the RPS simply dictates how the revenues may be spent, and allows districts to prioritize expenditures on facilities, transportation, and technology so that all students can have safe, high-quality schools.
“If a majority of eligible electors voting on the question fail to approve this Revenue Purpose Statement, then upon expiration of the current Revenue Purpose Statement, revenues received by the School District from the Secure an Advanced Vision for Education fund shall be expended in the following order:
The payment of bonds for which SAVE Revenue has been pledged;
Reduction of bond levies under Iowa Code Sections 298.18 and 298.18A and all other debt levies;
Reduction of the regular and voter-approved physical plant and equipment levy under Iowa Code Section 298.2;
Reduction of the public educational and recreational levy under Iowa Code Section 300.2;
For any authorized infrastructure purpose of the school district as defined in Iowa Code Section 423F.3(6); and
For the payment of principal and interest on bonds issued under Iowa Code Sections 423E.5 and 423F.4.”