For the second time in about two-months, voters in the Riverside School District failed, Tuesday, to pass a 10-year Physical Plant and Equipment Levy and a PPEL surtax. According to unofficial results from the Pottawattamie County Auditor’s Office, the measure, which required a 50 plus 1 simple majority to pass, received 438 NO votes and 405 Yes votes, or 52% to 48%. 843 of the 2,783 registered voters cast their ballots, for a voter turnout of 30%. The majority of the No votes came from Oakland, where 229 voters said they were opposed to the measure, and 216 said yes. (See the breakdown below)

The Public Measure had essentially asked if the District would be permitted to impose the levy for 10-years, at a tax rate not to exceed $1.34 per $1,000 taxable valuation, beginning with the levy of property taxes for collection in the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2021, and a not to exceed 2% income surtax effective December 31st, 2020. The first proposal presented to District patrons was defeated April 2nd , with 56.4% opposed and 43.6% in favor.

School officials say if it had been approved, the PPEL would generate an estimated $3.7 million over the 10-year period for capital improvement projects, such as the aging HVAC system at the Elementary and Intermediate schools. Revenue raised from the surtax would have been used to pay down the property tax levy to an estimated $1.29 per $1,000 of valuation.

Unofficial results:

Absentee: Yes 95, No 51

Carson: Yes 103, No 80

Macedonia: 42 Yes, 78 No

Oakland: 216 Yes, 229 No.