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Campaign pushes one-cent local-option sales tax for Iowa City area ahead of Nov. 4 vote
Summary
Greater Iowa City staff told the Oct. 20 joint entities meeting they are urging voters in Iowa City, Coralville and North Liberty to approve a one-cent local-option sales tax on Nov. 4 to fund property tax relief, housing, safety and parks; campaigners reported robust outreach and endorsements.
Mackenzie Doreau, senior director of advocacy at Greater Iowa City Inc., updated Johnson County elected officials at the Oct. 20 joint entities meeting on a final two-week push for a one-cent local-option sales tax to appear on the Nov. 4 ballot in Iowa City, Coralville and North Liberty.
"Vote yes for local option sales tax," Doreau said, describing the campaign's message that "a single penny helps fund what matters, property tax relief, housing, safety, and parks." She told officials early voting was under way and that the campaign formed an executive committee with staff from Greater Iowa City, Think Iowa City (the convention and visitors bureau), affordable-housing nonprofit leaders and community champions in each municipality.
Doreau said the campaign has conducted more than 50 presentations to service clubs, parent-teacher organizations and business groups; placed advertisements on streaming platforms, social media and radio; sent direct mail; and planned text reminders and volunteer literature drops leading up to Election Day. She said the campaign has received endorsements from the Iowa City, Coralville and North Liberty city councils and noted a recent endorsement from the Gazette.
In her presentation Doreau cited campaign messaging points including that groceries, gas and prescriptions would not be taxed and that 93% of Iowa cities already use a local-option sales tax. She said visitors spent more than $450 million in Johnson County last year and that the proposed tax is meant to "keep it local" by capturing that spending for the community.
There was no substantive public Q&A recorded after the presentation and the entities moved on to the next agenda item. The meeting record does not show officials taking formal action on the campaign or the ballot measures during the session.
Notes: The presenter was identified in the meeting record as Mackenzie Doreau of Greater Iowa City Inc. Campaign details, endorsements and spending figures were those reported by the presenter.
