Decision Makers Learn More About LOST
Decision makers and citizens listened in as a representative from Piper Jaffray talked about LOST.
Oskaloosa, Iowa – The future implementation of a one-cent sales tax was the discussion this past week for area leaders, as people look to become more informed on options available to decision makers about projects that would benefit from the Local Option Sales Tax (LOST).
One of those projects being discussed is a new early-childhood development center and community recreation complex.
The discussion about this project began over a year ago, when financial and building issues began mounting for the local YMCA. The Mahaska County YMCA was the recipient of a donation from Mahaska County Development Group (MCDG).
For those unfamiliar with MCDG, “MCDG is a collaboration of Mahaska County citizens and business persons committed to enhancing the area’s overall economic well-being by encouraging new development, job creation, meeting infrastructure needs, and expanding existing businesses.”
The future of recreation and child care in Mahaska County is part of a study being undertaken by MCDG and the Mahaska County YMCA, in an effort to better understand those needs in the community for child care and recreation. Both of those aspects are a critical part in attracting a workforce to a community.
In an interview in March of 2015, Andrew Jensen, Director of MCDG, said that within MCDG there was, “a lot of debate back and forth. Whether it’s really the right time to let the Y die; or what are the implications?” Jensen said that MCDG, “Agreed it’s big enough of a community asset and, really, it effects our employers, particularly through child-care.”
Ultimately, MCDG agreed to help the YMCA with gap financing, to the tune of $150,000.00, with the intention that the facility find a way to be self-sustaining. “That way we’re not in the same situation year-after-year,” said Jensen. With that help, MCDG will be closely involved “with putting together the needs assessment and the plan going forward,” Jensen explained.
Those needs assessments were handled by the creation of a joint assessment committee between the YMCA and MCDG. Walker|Coen|Lorentzen was then hired to help assess the needs, and how current facilities may help fill those needs. The YMCA will not be leading that assessment because of possible perception implications. MCDG then took the lead on the assessment process.
The process could be classified as a do-or-die time for the local YMCA. “I think a lot of people think it is,” said Jensen. He said that MCDG recognizes the importance of the facility by donating the $150,000.00, “but we cannot be in the same situation a year from now”.
That brings us back to the meeting this past week, where those decision makers learned about laws and code pertaining to the usage of LOST funds, and how different entities that benefit from LOST funds can collaborate on projects like a new YMCA type facility.
The last initiatives for LOST have included the Oskaloosa School District buildings and the Oskaloosa Library and Law Enforcement Center. Writing a new initiative takes education, and a representative from Piper Jaffray was on hand to help discuss the different laws, ordinances and options available to those in the decision making process. Law dictates how much debt any particular taxing entity can have; understanding the revenue stream from LOST and how it’s distributed from the state were points of discussion.
Beth Danowsky, a member of the MCDG board, said that discussion over LOST funds and their potential usage, to help fund early childhood development and recreation in the community, is part of a long process that has been taking place since the initial request from the YMCA, to the Oskaloosa City Council, for financial help back in 2014.
The City of Oskaloosa and the Oskaloosa School District, to some degree, have a potential interest in seeing what may develop for an initiative, in regards to early childhood development and recreation. An initiative would ultimately be presented to the voters of Mahaska County. Mahaska County Supervisors are not necessarily in step with those plans, but are eyeing the new nature center and potentially property tax relief, among others, as uses for the LOST revenue the County collects.
The challenges each entity face, in regards to the needs or desires of their particular constituents, will play a role in what any future sales tax revenue vote will be presented to the voters of Mahaska County.
