North Liberty is finalizing plans for its local option sales tax revenue. What to know:
The North Liberty City Council emphasized a plan that allows the city to allocate revenue to various priorities on a yearly basis, rather than adhering to a fixed plan.
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The draft language is not yet finalized and would have to be approved by a majority of North Liberty residents before it would take effect in 2026.
Here's what to know about North Liberty's proposed ballot language for a local option sales tax:
The city is required under Iowa law to use 50% of its local option tax revenues for property tax relief, while the city can use the remaining 50% in any way it desires.
The drafted language sets the other 50% aside "for capital projects, including but not limited to, a fire station, fire apparatus & equipment, community center upgrades, parks, trails, streets and related infrastructure, equipment and other projects identified in the City's Capital Improvements Plan.
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The five-member board engaged in a lengthy discussion on Tuesday, June 26, on whether to specifically designate a percentage of the city's revenue toward affordable housing.
Several councilors were concerned that the current language was too "wordy" and was perhaps too broad.
The North Liberty council is expected to continue this discussion at its next meeting on July 8.
The North Liberty City Council expressed a desire to avoid a "sunset" clause, an expiration date, for the local option sales tax.
Greater Iowa City, Inc. Senior Director of Advocacy Mackenzie DeRoo said many cities have moved away from sunset clauses.
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Other Johnson County municipalities, like Tiffin and Solon, did not establish sunset clauses in their recently passed local option sales tax measures.
The tax would return to the ballot if a future city council felt a need to remove the local option sales tax. The Iowa City City Council is pursuing a similar approach.
North Liberty's push for broad use differs from Iowa City's proposal.
The Iowa City City Council is eying a proposal that specifically prioritizes housing by allocating 25% of local option sales tax revenue to affordable housing initiatives. The council was narrowly divided over two other categories, infrastructure and community partnerships, which it wanted to allocate either 10% or 15%.
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North Liberty's approach allows for flexibility with potential six- or seven-figure revenues. Based on North Liberty's estimates, the tax could generate at least $1.71 million annually, leaving the city with a minimum of $855,000 in additional revenue. North Liberty's revenue is projected to rise by an additional $1 million if Coralville and Iowa City voters approve a local option sales tax.
Though Coralville has not officially discussed a local option sales tax during a formal council meeting, the city has worked through details during work sessions.
Long-time City Administrator Kelly Hayworth said Coralville would generate about $9.6 million annually through a local option sales tax, according to work session notes. If approved by voters, Coralville would receive between $2.9 and $7.3 million each year through the sales tax, depending on which cities in the metro passed a tax.
Coralville would be free to spend roughly $1.5-$4.7 million, according to Iowa law.
Council documents said Hayworth and Coralville city staff are working through ballot language.
Iowa City staff previously said the ballot language needs to be sent to the Johnson County Auditor's Office by mid-August for placement on the November ballot.
Ryan Hansen covers local government and crime for the Press-Citizen. He can be reached at rhansen@press-citizen.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @ryanhansen01.
This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: What will North Liberty do with its local option sales tax revenue?
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