On November 4, Iowa City voters will head to the polls to vote in the general election. One of the items on this year’s ballot will be the Local Option Sales Tax (LOST), a proposed 1% tax that, if approved, would generate millions of dollars each year for public services and property tax relief.
In order to pass, 50% or more of the voters from Iowa City would need to approve the measure. LOST measures are also on the ballot in Coralville and North Liberty.
If LOST is approved in Iowa City, revenue raised will be used as follows:
- 50% used for property tax relief
- 25% for affordable housing, including shelter, transitional, and permanent housing for those with low incomes
- 10% for the maintenance and construction of public streets, sidewalks, trails, parks, and facilities
- 15% for community partnerships
Anyone who shops in Iowa City, including visitors and tourists, would pay the additional 1% tax. Many basic necessitates are exempt from the tax, including groceries, rent, gasoline and vehicles, prescription drugs, and more.
Currently, 93% of Iowa communities have adopted LOST, including Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, Davenport, and many other Iowa communities.
In order to participate in the election, voters will need to be registered and vote in their precinct or via a mail-in ballot. For more information on voter registration, precinct locations, to request a mail-in ballot, or for other voter information, visit the Johnson County Auditor’s website or call the County Auditor’s Office at 319-356-6004.
For additional information about the LOST measure for the City of Iowa City, visit www.icgov.org/LOST or contact Assistant City Manager Kirk Lehmann at 319-356-5014, or email klehmann@iowa-city.org.
