Voters will go to the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 7, to elect city council members, mayors and school board representatives. Also on the ballot is a bond issue for Greene County to build a new jail and renewal of the PPEL (Physical Plant and Equipment Levy) for the Greene County School District.
The Voter Approved PPEL in the Greene County School District maximum rate is $1.34/$1,000 in taxable valuation.
Information provided by school officials states: It is important to the district to ensure that the community’s property taxes are as low as possible while ensuring the school has a sustainable budget for the students, staff, and facilities. For the 2023-2024 school year, the $1.01/$1,000 will generate approximately $730,000 for building maintenance, enhancement of technology and non-instructional software, and transportation equipment.
This is a renewal of a levy that is already in place. A simple majority is needed to approve the PPEL.
Sheriff Jack Williams has repeatedly stated, “The question isn’t whether we want to have a new jail or an old jail. The question is if we want a new jail or no jail.”
The current jail needs the floor and electrical system replaced which the state jail inspector says would allow the facility to remain open for another four years. If the bond issue is approved, Williams says the repairs would not have to be completed.
The cost to taxpayers has been estimated at:
Residential house assessed at $100,000: $48.64 increase in taxes per year
160 acres of ag land: $185.12 increase in taxes per year.
If voters approve the bond issue for a new jail, the current facility will be repurposed as back-up locations for county offices.
It takes a 60 percent (or higher) approval rate by voters for the jail bond issue to be approved.
Polls will be open 7 am to 8 pm. in the following locations:
Central: Clover Hall, Fairgrounds, 601 E. Lincoln Way Street, Jefferson
East: St. Brigid Parish Center, 602 Hager Street East, Grand Junction
Jefferson 1: Greene County Community Center, 204 W. Harrison Street, Jefferson
Jefferson 2: Greene County Community Center, 204 W. Harrison Street, Jefferson
North: Churdan Library, 415 Sand Street, Churdan
West: Community Room, 900 Eagle Street, Scranton
CITY CANDIDATES
City of Scranton: Jerry R Boyd – mayor. Vote for three council: Ashley Squibb, Gale G. Zellweger, Nici Teeters Thomas. Vote for one council to fill a vacancy: Annette Brown
City of Jefferson: Craig J. Berry – mayor. Vote for two council: Susan K. Bose, Chad Sloan, Matt Wetrich, Trevor Wishman.
City of Rippey: Daniel Brubaker and Malachi M. Meri – mayor. Vote for three council: Bobbi Dollinger and Shannon Lawrence.
City of Churdan: Joleen Killeen – mayor. Vote for three council: Nicholas Christianson, Colton Morlan, Dennis Smidt.
City of Dana: Mandy Sims – mayor. Vote for one council: Kellie Madison.
City of Grand Junction: Dean Lyons – mayor; Vote for two council: Spencer Kirk and Tom Launderville.
City of Paton: Steve Burrell – mayor. Vote for three council: Jacob Bohnet, Colby Keasey, Jimmy Martin, Chris Sprecher, Paul Subbert.
SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES
Greene County Community School District
Director at Large – 4-year term, Vote for two: Connie Boyd, Timothy Riphagen, Dylan McConnell
Paton-Churdan Community School District
Director at Large – 4-year term, Vote for two: Kelly Minnihan, David Palmer
COMMUNITY COLLEGES
Des Moines Area Community College Director District 2 – Fred Greiner; District 3 – Jim Gossett
Iowa Central Community College Director District 4 – Connie Smith; District 9 – Michael Richards
PUBLIC MEASURES
Greene County: General Obligation capital loan notes not to exceed $10 million for the purpose of constructing and equipping a new Greene County jail.
Glidden-Ralston School District: General Obligation bonds not to exceed $7.3 million for school building improvements.
Greene County School District: Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL) not to exceed $1.34 per $1,000 of assessed valuation of taxable property to be used for buildings, busses, computers, etc.
Pre-registered voters are required to provide an approved form of identification at the polling place before receiving and casting a regular ballot. Voters who are not pre-registered – such as voters registering to vote on Election Day – and voters changing precincts must also provide proof of residence.
For additional information about providing proof of identity and/or residence visit: https://sos.iowa.gov/voterid or telephone the Greene County auditor’s office at 515-386-5680.
Any voter physically unable to enter a polling place has the right to vote in the voter’s vehicle.
Early voting is underway. Voters can cast early ballots in person at the auditor’s office in the courthouse during regular business hours through Monday, Nov 6.
Voters who have requested an absentee ballot by mail should have received them. Absentee ballots must be received back at the auditor’s office by Election Day, Nov. 7. A drop box is available at the east entrance to the courthouse. Only voted ballots should be placed in the clearly designated box.
For further information, please contact the Greene County auditor’s office 515-386-5680 or email: auditor@greenecounty.iowa.gov ~courtesy of The Scranton Journal
