School News
Voter-Approved Physical Plant & Equipment Levy: Vote November 7
Created on October 26th, 2023VOTE! VPPEL & School Board Election
Tuesday, November 7, 2023
Polls Open 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
1-page/2-sided Flyers:
Urbandale Schools VPPEL Election November 7, 2023 (English)
VPPEL Izbori (Bosnian)
VPPEL ရွေးကောက်ပွဲ (Burmese)
VPPEL Thimnak (Hakha Chin)
VPPEL Elección(Spanish)
VPPEL Uchaguziwa(Swahili)
On November 7, 2023, eligible voters living within the Urbandale Community School District (UCSD) boundaries will have an opportunity to vote on the renewal of the Voter-Approved Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (VPPEL) and elect four candidates to serve on the UCSD School Board. Learn more about the VPPEL below and get to know UCSD School Board candidates.
What is the Voter-Approved Physical Plant & Equipment Levy?
The VPPEL is a voter-approved levy that serves as one of the most important revenue sources for Iowa school districts. VPPEL funds can be used to enhance school safety and security, upgrade technology equipment, improve school buildings and grounds, and purchase items such as playground equipment and musical instruments.
The VPPEL has been in place since 2015 at a rate of $1.34 per $1,000 of assessed property valuation. The VPPEL is an annual property tax levy, not a bond referendum. The authorization for UCSD to levy this tax must be renewed by public vote every 10 years. The current authorization expires June 2025. Voters will be asked to consider the renewal of the voter-approved PPEL at the same rate of $1.34 per $1,000 of assessed valuation. The VPPEL is projected to provide $15 million to $20 million over its 10-year span. Renewing the VPPEL will NOT increase the property tax rate.
What has the PPEL funded?
(Voter-approved PPEL and Board-approved PPEL projects include but are not limited to the following.)
2015–2025 PPEL-Funded Projects
- Security cameras and badge entry readers at all schools
- Safety/Security enhancements/updates at all schools based on the recommendations of the State Vulnerability Assessment conducted in 2022–23 (unable to share specifics for security purposes)
- Roof repairs and maintenance at all schools
- HVAC and boiler repair/replacement/maintenance at all schools
- Carpet replacement at Webster Elementary
- Interior painting at multiple schools
- Concrete repairs at all schools
- Turf replacement at Frerichs Field (Urbandale High School)
- Stadium and Performing Arts Center upgrades in equipment and repairs
- Gym bleachers at Urbandale High School
- North gym floor refinish at Urbandale High School
- New doors in Urbandale High School athletic area
- Cybersecurity upgrades district-wide
- Annual technology upgrades (Chromebooks, iPads, new servers, new monitors in schools)
- Multi-purpose office equipment (copier/scanner/fax) at all schools
- Cell phone repeaters at Karen Acres, Valerius, Olmsted, Urbandale Middle School and Urbandale High School
- Music equipment
- District vehicle replacement
- Purchase of connected property by Olmsted
- Lease for District Administration Office & Metro West Learning Academy
- Metro West Learning Academy build-out for new lease location
What would the renewed PPEL fund?
(Voter-approved PPEL and Board-approved PPEL projects include but are not limited to the following.)
Anticipated 2025–2035 PPEL-Funded Projects
- Continual safety/security enhancements/updates at all schools based on the recommendations of the State Vulnerability Assessment conducted in 2022–23 (unable to share specifics for security purposes)
- Interior painting at multiple schools
- Carpet replacement at multiple schools
- Roof repairs and maintenance at multiple schools
- Potential locker reconfiguration at Urbandale High School
- Urbandale Middle School practice track
- Replace music practice rooms at Urbandale Middle School with upgraded space that has better ventilation and ample space for large instruments
- Reconfigure space at Urbandale Middle School to add classroom space based on forecasted enrollment
- Potential reconfiguration of space at Webster Elementary to accommodate four sections at every grade level
- Wrestling room sub-floor and mat at Urbandale Middle School
- Replace bleachers in west gym at Urbandale Middle School
- UHS Fitness Center equipment replacements that are needed after five years
- Maintenance and upkeep of baseball and softball fields
- Cybersecurity upgrades district-wide
- Annual technology upgrades
- Music equipment
- Purchase additional connected property by Olmsted
- Potential demolition of retired buildings
- Lease/purchase for District Administration Office & lease for Metro West Learning Academy
Will my taxes increase?
No. The VPPEL has been in place since 2015 at a rate of $1.34 per $1,000 of assessed property valuation. Renewing the existing VPPEL will maintain the current property tax rate. The VPPEL is projected to provide $15 million to $20 million over its 10-year span. Renewing the VPPEL will NOT increase the property tax rate.
What if the VPPEL is NOT renewed?
In order for the VPPEL to pass, 50% +1 of voters must vote in favor of the VPPEL. For example, if 100 total votes are received, 51 of those votes must be in favor of the VPPEL. If the VPPEL is not renewed, it would mean a loss of approximately $2 million per year. This critical loss would negatively impact the services we can provide students, the safety and security of our buildings and technology, and our ability to properly maintain and repair school buildings.
Projects, security, and maintenance that would have been funded by the VPPEL would still need to happen so the majority of money would need to come from the General Fund which is the same fund we utilize for salaries and benefits. Depleting $2 million per year could lead to a reduction in staff and/or a reduction in curriculum and/or programming.
Ballot Language
The following language will be included on the November 7, 2023 PPEL Election ballot:
Shall the Board of Directors of the Urbandale Community School District, in the County of Polk, State of Iowa, for the purpose of purchasing and improving grounds; constructing schoolhouses or buildings and opening roads to schoolhouses or buildings; purchasing of buildings; purchase, lease or lease-purchase of technology and equipment; paying debts contracted for the erection or construction of schoolhouses or buildings, not including interest on bonds; procuring or acquisition of libraries; repairing, remodeling, reconstructing, improving, or expanding the schoolhouses or buildings and additions to existing schoolhouses; expenditures for energy conservation; renting facilities under Iowa Code Chapter 28E; purchasing transportation equipment for transporting students; lease purchase option agreements for school buildings or equipment; purchasing equipment authorized by law; or for any purpose or purposes now or hereafter authorized by law, be authorized for a period of ten (10) years, to levy annually, a voter-approved physical plant and equipment property tax not to exceed One Dollar Thirty-Four Cents ($1.34) per One Thousand Dollars ($1,000) of the assessed valuation of the taxable property within the school district commencing with the levy for collection in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, or each year thereafter?
Budget & Taxes
Current breakdown of the UCSD tax levy:
| General Fund | 12.297 |
| Management | 0.197 |
| Board PPEL | 0.33 |
| Voted PPEL | 1.34 |
| Voted PERL | 0.135 |
| Voted Debt Service | 3.695 |
| Total Levy | 17.99 |
The VPPEL has been in place since 2015 at a rate of $1.34 per $1,000 of assessed property valuation. Renewing the existing VPPEL will maintain the current property tax rate. The VPPEL is projected to provide $15 million to $20 million over its 10-year span. Renewing the VPPEL will NOT increase the property tax rate.
Voting Information & Resources
Urbandale Community School District VPPEL Election
Tuesday, November 7, 2023
Polls open 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Eligible voters must live within UCSD boundaries.
- 2021 Election Law Changes
- Absentee Voting
- Find Your Precinct/Polling Place
- Voter Registration Information
- Am I registered to vote in Iowa?
- Register to Vote on Election Day
If you have questions about voter registration, your precinct, your polling place, or how to vote by absentee ballot please visit the Polk County Auditor website or contact the Polk County Election Office at (515) 286-3247.
