Albia Community School District
VOTED PPEL
Tuesday, March 4, 2025
WHAT IS A VOTED PPEL?
More than 85% of Iowa school districts currently rely upon a voter-approved Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL) to address a variety of facility and equipment needs.
A voted PPEL generates funds that schools can only use for infrastructure and equipment repairs, purchases, and improvements. This levy must be approved by voters every 10 years to remain in place.
On Tuesday, March 4, 2025, residents of the Albia Community School District will vote on a PPEL. If approved, the levy would remain in place until 2035 at a rate of $1.34 per $1,000 of taxable property value.
WHY IS A VOTED PPEL NEEDED?
Maintaining our facilities requires expenses that often go beyond what can be covered with our operating budget and general fund, or with SAVE revenue we receive from the state. Without a voted PPEL, our district is not equipped to fully fund essential maintenance and facilities costs, which puts our district and students at a disadvantage compared to those that have the voted PPEL to assure physical facilities are modernized, safe, and appropriate.
An approved PPEL would generate approximately $480,000 annually to assist with infrastructure projects. This includes:
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Enhancing education and activity facilities
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Safety and security improvements
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Roof replacements and repairs
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Upgrades to HVAC systems
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Traffic and parking improvements
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Expanding technology for students
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Classroom updates
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Playground improvements
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New vehicle purchases
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Unforeseen expenses, such as recent foundation issues
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PROPERTY TAX IMPACT
The proposed PPEL would have a tax impact of $1.34 per year on every $1,000 of taxable property value (not assessed value).
For a home with an assessed value of $150,000, this would amount to an additional $7.40 per month (or $88.84 per year). The annual tax impact on agricultural property, based on the average per-acre value in Monroe County of $713, would equate to $0.70 per acre.
Albia CSD’s cumulative tax levy rate has steadily declined over the past 15 years, going from $15.37 per $1,000 of taxable property value in FY 2009 to $12.35 in the current fiscal year.
HOW IS THE PROPERTY TAX CALCULATED?
Calculating the tax impact can be complicated due to the state rollback and Homestead Credit. Below is a five-step process to provide some clarification:
For a home owner using the senior homestead exemption (age 65+), the annual tax impact would be $84.71 per year (or $7.06 per month). Additional credits such as military veteran, family farm, and others may further reduce the impact on your own property.
COMMUNITY MEETINGS
Engaging with community members to gather feedback and answers questions is a priority for ACSD School Board and administration. To ensure this, a series of community information meetings are scheduled in February.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11
Lincoln Center Library,
222 N. 2nd Street, Albia
5:30-6:30 p.m.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13
Lovilia Community Building
608 W. 17th Street, Lovilia
5:30-6:30 p.m.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18
St Patrick Church
200 Trinity Avenue, Melrose
5:30-6:30 p.m.
HOW TO VOTE
The polls will be open on election day, Tuesday, March 4, from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. A valid ID will be required in order to vote.
If you are not registered to vote, you can submit a voter registration form to the Monroe County Auditor’s Office. You may also register on election day at your polling location.
In-person absentee voting will be available starting on Wednesday, February 12 at the Monroe County Auditor’s Office. This office is open weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and located inside the county courthouse at 10 Benton Avenue East, in Albia.
The final day to cast an absentee ballot in person will be Monday, March 3.
The deadline to request a mailed absentee ballot from the county auditor is Monday, February 17. Ballots must be received by the auditor's office before the polls close on election day in order to be considered for counting.
VOTING LOCATIONS
Precincts 1-5: Monroe County Courthouse: Eligible electors of the Albia Community School District in Albia City and Guilford, Troy, Pleasant, Mantua, Monroe and Urbana Townships
Precinct 6: Lovilia Community Building: Eligible electors of the Albia Community School District in Lovilia City and Cedar, Union and Bluff Creek Townships
Precinct 7: St. Patrick’s Church: Eligible electors of the Albia Community School District in Melrose City and Wayne, Jackson and Franklin Townships