North Iowa Area Community College is seeking its first renewal of an existing levy that provides essential funding for instructional equipment. The citizens of North Iowa supported this levy in 2001.
The NIACC Instructional Equipment Referendum will appear on the September 13 school board election ballot. This levy requires voter renewal every 10 years. It requires a simple majority for renewal.
“The levy is critical to the learning needs of NIACC students and the employment expectations of our business and industry partners,” said Dr. Debra Derr, NIACC President. “North Iowa businesses depend on us to educate and train our students so they are prepared for the workforce.
To do that, we must have up-to-date instructional equipment in our classrooms and labs. Our credit programs and non-credit work force training programs depend on this funding to purchase state-of-the-art instructional equipment.”
The levy is a renewal. It is not an increase. The funding can only be used to purchase instructional equipment. It cannot be spent on salaries or any administrative expenses.
The current levy creates $353,289 annually across the entire NIACC district.
The College develops immediate and long-term instructional equipment plans. These plans address the purchasing needs from across campus and include a variety of items from microscopes for biology labs to rapid prototype machines in the tool and die program.
In the next 10 years, NIACC is looking to the future and anticipating needs that will change at lightning speed, recognizing there will be technologies in 2022 we cannot imagine that will be used in business and industry and by the universities our students will transfer to.
The estimated tax impact for a single family home with $100,000 assessed valuation is $2.91 per year, according to information from the Cerro Gordo County Auditor’s Office
FACT SHEET FROM NIACC:
Facts: Instructional Equipment Referendum Renewal
Fall 2011
– This is NOT a new property tax or an increase. It is a renewal of the existing levy.
– This referendum will be on the ballot on September 13, 2011.
– The levy is critical to the learning needs of NIACC students and the employment expectations of our business and industry partners.
– Our credit programs and non-credit work-force training programs depend on this funding to purchase state-of-the-art instructional equipment.
– These funds can ONLY be used to purchase instructional equipment, which benefits students directly. It will not be used for salaries or any administrative expenses.
– The current levy creates $353,289 annually from the entire NIACC district.
Past Uses of Resources:
– Since its beginning in 2001, the instructional equipment levy resources have been used for such equipment needs as:
– Computers, labs, and upgrades
– LCD projectors and lab printers
– Classroom laptops
– Microscopes and human skeletons
– Music instruments ñ saxophone, drum set, piano
– Redman suit ñ self defense practice equipment
– Welding, Ag, & HVAC equipment
– Building Trades, Tool & Die, & automotive equipment
– Library technology
Future Uses of Resources:
In the NEXT 10 years, NIACC is looking to the future and anticipating needs that will change at lightning speed, recognizing there will be technologies in 2022 we cannot
imagine that will be used in business and industry and by the universities our students will transfer to.
– Simulation used in the fields of health care, science, advanced manufacturing and
engineering
– Holographs used in science and technology laboratories
– Touch-enabled white boards and surface computing
– Video conferencing
– 3-D modeling and tablet technology
– Rapid prototyping and robotics
– Electric and bio-fuel engine technology
– Dental Hygiene equipment
– Agriculture related bioscience lab equipment
– GPS technologies
– Lecture capture and cloud computing
Examples of estimated tax impact:
Single Family Home Agricultural Class
Taxable Values $100,000 Taxable Values $100,000
Estimated Gross Tax: $2.91 annually Estimated Gross Tax: $4.14 annually
Source: Cerro Gordo County Auditor’s Office
Our Future Challenges Include
– Maintaining state-of-the art equipment and technology
– Meeting the expectations and needs of our business and industry partners and stakeholders
– Aging facilities and deferred maintenance
Learn more about North Iowa Area Community College: www.niacc.edu/
Remember: This is NOT a new property tax or an increase. This is a renewal.
Election day is Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Election Day is Tuesday September 13, 2011. This referendum will be on each ballot, written as:
Public Measure B: “Shall the Board of Directors of North Iowa Area Community College (Merged Area II) be
authorized to certify a tax not exceeding six cents per thousand dollars of assessed valuation in any one year
for a period of ten years beginning July 1, 2012, for the purposes of the purchase of instructional equipment?”
|
