There are two public measures in Guthrie County for the upcoming City and School Board elections on November 4th.

Guthrie County Auditor Dani Fink says that the first is for the city of Menlo. She tells Raccoon Valley Radio that it changes the city’s revenue purpose statement, which currently puts zero percent of funds towards property tax relief and 100 percent towards community betterment.

“It’s just more similar to a revenue purpose statement for a school district. It’s just saying what the local options sales tax funds can be used for and how they are proposing to break that up.”

Fink mentions that the new purpose statement will be 25 percent for property tax relief, 50 percent for roads/streets and 25 percent for parks, with changes to come into effect on January 1, 2026. She adds that the second public measure is for the Panorama School Board, and would allow the district to enter into a contract for a general bond obligation not to exceed $19.6 million, which will be used to improve sports facilities by adding a competition gymnasium, and help make entrances for the elementary and secondary buildings more secure than they already are.

 

Public Measures

Menlo: Shall the City of Menlo change the Revenue Purpose Statement (“Purpose Statement”) for existing unspent and

future Local Option Sale Tax revenues?

Summary: The current Purpose Statement utilizes the proceeds for 0% Property Tax Relief and 100% Community Betterment.

The proposed change to the Purpose Statement is as follows:

25% for Property Tax Relief

50% for Roads/Streets

25% for Parks

These Changes are to be effective January 1, 2026.

 

Panorama CSD

Shall the Board of Directors of the Panorama Community School District in the Counties of Guthrie, Dallas and Greene, State of Iowa, be authorized to contract indebtedness and issue General Obligation Bonds in an amount not to exceed $19,600,000 to provide funds to build, furnish, and equip an addition to the secondary building for a competition gymnasium, including site improvements; to remodel, repair, furnish, and equip the secondary building, including improvements to classrooms, common areas, secure entrance, roofing, and site improvements; and to remodel, repair, furnish, and equip the elementary building, including a secure entrance, roofing, and site improvements, including an accessible playground.