Importance of the PPEL
August 22, 2012 (Independence, IA) – The letters PPEL stand for Physical Plant Equipment Levy. The PPEL is a tax levy program which allows school districts across Iowa to collect revenue for specific uses within their districts. The Independence Community School District (ICSD) has relied on the PPEL for many, many years to provide important maintenance funding which helps to:
- Repair roofs, playgrounds, and sidewalks;
- Purchase transportation vehicles like buses and vans;
- Purchase musical instruments for our band program;
- Support classroom technology; and more.
Well maintained school buildings, athletic facilities, and grounds are an essential part of our school community.
On Tuesday, September 11, 2012, you will be asked to vote on a renewal of the district Physical Plant and Equipment Levy. Polling locations will be held in Independence at Heartland Acres, in Rowley at the Community Center, and in Brandon at the Community Center.
Renewal of this levy will not increase your property taxes. The district is asking for approval to continue the voter‐approved rate that has been in effect for the past 10 so that we may continue to use the funding in our maintenance and upgrades plan. The current rate is $0.40 per $1,000 of assessed property valuation. This rate is well below the maximum allowable voter‐approved rate of $1.34 per $1,000. The district wants to keep the rate at the $0.40 level for the next 10 years. Nearly all Districts in the state of Iowa utilize the PPEL levy as a way to ensure funding for maintenance of current assets.
The maximum length of the voter‐approved PPEL program is 10 years. The current levy expires June 30, 2013. Our district voter‐approved PPEL program provided approximately $150,000 per year for the past 10 years and helped to purchase electrical upgrades, teacher computers, musical instruments, and buses.
“The PPEL revenue has played an important part in our district budget for the past 10 years and will continue to have a large role in how we meet and exceed our maintenance goals. Without these funds, we would have to turn to other revenue sources such as the general fund, where approximately 80% is dedicated to staff salaries and benefits”, stated Superintendent Russell Reiter. “By engaging in preventative maintenance, we are able to extend the useful life of our buildings and equipment, which ultimately saves taxpayers in the long run”, said Peterson.
More PPEL Information can be found on the district’s website at www.indee.k12.ia.us/ppel‐information. You may also contact Superintendent Peterson with any questions at (319) 334‐7400.
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Media Contact
Jenny Yoder, Fusion Forward
Jenny.Yoder@fusionforward.com