Thank You

Despite LOST being defeated in the 5 contiguous cities, U-Heights did its share by voting 64% "yes." That was the highest "yes" vote in any precinct in the 5 contiguous. U-Heights also once again supported the Courthouse bond despite it not passing either. I truly appreciate my fellow citizens continuing to step up and participate in our local government.

What this defeat means for us, as a city, is that we have fewer options on how to possibly fund a community center. We won't see an immediate impact, but it will have long term implications.

From a regional perspective, I'm concerned about North Liberty, as their plan was to use LOST revenue to help pay for infrastructure (roads, sidewalks, sewer) for the new Liberty High School. Without this, NL could be quite stressed to meet those needs.

It is also interesting to note that in the partisan elections, Johnson County was the only county carried by Jack Hatch. Take a look at this google election map:

https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=Iowa+Governor+map

VOTE 11/4!

University Heights Polling Site: St. Andrew Church, 1300 Melrose Ave.
Polls open 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM

Well, if you're one of the 64% of U-Heights registered voters who hasn't already cast a ballot, Tuesday is the day. One thing that seems to define our town is great participation in exercising our right to vote.

Here are the latest statistics from the Johnson County Auditor:

Requests by Precinct	ALL	% of reg	DEM	% of reg	REP	% of reg	NONE	%
University Heights	311	36.4%	206	48.9%	51	28.7%	54	21.5%
Returned by precinct	ALL	% of reg	DEM	% of reg	REP	% of reg	NONE	%
University Heights	272	31.8%	186	44.2%	43	24.2%	43	17.1%

 

Democrats hold a sizable majority in town, comprising 67% of the early voters. Republicans requested 16% of early ballots, and those declaring no party requested 17% of early ballots.

• Democratic early voters have returned 90% of ballots requested.
• Republican early voters have returned 84% of ballots requested. 
• No Party early voters have returned  80% of ballots requested.

Those not yet returned ballots could be turned in tomorrow in person, or if they arrive with a postmark of 11/3 or earlier they will be valid.

Regardless of your party affiliation, please flip your ballot over and support Local Option Sales Tax.

PLEASE Support LOST!

Over the weekend I helped deliver fliers to U-Heights residents who have not yet voted in the Nov. 4th Election. We wanted to remind our neighbors of the importance of supporting LOST, the Local Option Sales Tax. Here is what we handed out:

 Local Option Sales Tax

 

Voting YES to One Penny (LOST)

 Supports & Improves University Heights

 Back Side of Ballot

What it will take for the measure to pass?
Votes will be counted collectively in the five contiguous cities in the county (Iowa City, Coralville, Tiffin, University Heights, and North Liberty) with a simple majority (50 percent plus 1) required for passage. Votes in the surrounding cities and the county will be counted separately. Strong support by U-Heights could well tip the balance to an overall majority in the 5 cities.

Who pays the one-penny tax? How long does it last?

For ten (10) years, everyone who shops in the contiguous area pays a one-penny-sales tax.  It’s projected that non-residents and visitors will pay over 21 cents from every dollar of sales tax collected.

What does the one-penny tax cover?
The tax is applied to retail purchases. The tax will NOT apply to many basic items such as groceries, prescription drugs, gasoline, rent, mortgages, vehicles, medical services, or utilities subject to a franchise fee.

How will the revenues be distributed?

The sales tax revenues will be pooled and shared according to a state formula.

How much revenue will be collected?

It is estimated that approximately $16-20 million in sales tax will be collected each year if the tax is approved by all jurisdictions in Johnson County. University Heights' share is estimated to be $100,000 each year (for a total of $1,000,000 over the ten year life of the tax).

How will the one-penny tax revenue be spent in University Heights?

By resolution, the University Heights City Council has specified that the entire amount of the tax will be used for “community space acquisition, furnishing, maintenance, and upkeep; street improvements and repairs; and/or any other lawful purpose.” The tax thus will be available to cover purchasing community space (a community center) or the rising costs of such things as library service, fire protection, snow and leaf removal, bus service, and recycling, for example.

We support the referendum – vote YES on or before Nov. 4^th!

Early Vote UIHC 10 AM- 4PM on 10/27, 10/28, 10/29    Vote St. Andrew 7 AM- 9 PM on 11/4

Carla Aldrich, Chris Anderson, Pat Bauer, Kathie Belgum, Carolyn Brown, David Drake, Karen Drake, Anne Frankel, Joe Frankel, Bob From, Louise From, Bob Hanson, Gloria Hanson, Lisa Haverkamp, Mike Haverkamp, Jase Humphrey, Lori Kimura, Catherine Lane, Jim Lane, Chris Luzzie, Virginia Miller, Art Nowak, Silvia Quezada, John Reitz, Deb Wretman, Rich Wretman, Ken Yeggy, Pat Yeggy, Jerry Zimmerman

                                               

                                                                                  Paid for by Mike Haverkamp & Pat Yeggy

If you read the "supporters" list you will see it is a great cross-section of town that is behind this measure. Please remember to flip your ballot over and vote "YES" Early voting will be held at University Hospitals through Wednesday in the main lobby.

If you want more information about Local Option Sales Tax visit this site:

http://yesforourcommunities.com/