County Residents Discuss Potential LOST Projects
Oskaloosa, Iowa – On Thursday evening, citizens of Mahaska County were able to express themselves and their wishes to the County Board of Supervisors in regards to the Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) renewal.
Mahaska County Supervisor Mark Doland thanked those in attendance, saying that the turnout was greater than expected.
Doland said that there are currently a couple of initiatives being discussed among those in the county for the potential use of the LOST fund that is generated by the 1% local option sales tax.
Early childhood development and recreation is one option being discussed and a second would be a new environmental learning center being planned for Caldwell Park.
Up to this point, the majority of the supervisors have not been in favor of the early childhood development project, instead they have been leaning towards the environmental learning center project and potentially property tax relief as projects the county would support.
Inside Oskaloosa, a movement is under way to fund the early childhood development center and recreation complex, which could be or would be similar to the current YMCA.
First up to speak was Mary Jane Sullivan of Rose Hill. Sullivan said that she was a teacher for 33 years and said that she utilized the current nature center for many years, and has watched the utilization of the center grow over time. “I think we have an opportunity at this time to get that learning center situated out at Caldwell.”
Sullivan expressed the positives for the Caldwell location, including the Freedom Rock, recreation trail and the potential for more space to appeal to persons of all ages.
Matt Kargol, Vice-President of FACE (Fine Arts & Cultural Events) said that the group would support a continuation of LOST and would petition to receive a portion of the money raised to help continue and fund arts and cultural events within the county.
Deb Draper, of rural Mahaska County, said that her son is a swimmer and stated, “we need a better facility”. Draper also said that “we need to keep open the one that we’ve got,” until there is another option. She expressed her wishes that the recreation facilities be supported by the LOST revenue. “We’ve got a bunch of kids, not just swimmers, that need a facility, someplace they can go and have a safe environment where they can go and exercise.”
Lawrence Rouw, rural Mahaska County resident and a former Mahaska County Supervisor, said, “I’m here to advocate that you would spend that money on a 1000 miles of county roads and the 240 bridges, which we all know needs more than you have available now.”
Margaret Ratcliff, of rural New Sharon, explained that she does enjoy the opportunity that an environmental learning center has to offer, but said that without a childcare center, she would suffer. She based that opinion on the fact that Oskaloosa needs to be a vibrant growing community, and a childcare center “is going to help all of us. And you can’t put a price tag on that. But I know that we all benefit.”
During the nearly hour long open meeting, no person stood against the continuation of the local option sales tax. From those that chose to speak, support for the early childhood development and recreation center gathered an edge in support from those in the county.
The continuation of LOST would need to be brought forth by petition, and currently no petitions have been brought forward for consideration. The discussion for usage continues within the different entities, such as the City of Oskaloosa and Mahaska County.
