While the main focus for extending the Local Option Sales and Service Tax in Pella has been on a potential new rec center and renovations to the Pella Community Center, half of the funds generated contribute to other functions of city government. Mayor Don DeWaard says if voters were to pass the extension of the currently existing levy, it would allow the city to complete several road projects otherwise harder to accomplish without the funding.

Click here to listen to a full interview with DeWaard about the September 13th referendum.

DeWaard says a large portion of the money generated with the Local Option Sales and Service Tax comes from out of town visitors, meaning if it no longer exists, the community also misses out on money used to help keep the property tax rate the same as it has been for 20 years. A large portion of the money also is redistributed to the Marion County Board of Supervisors and other cities in the county. Voters will have the option to extend the tax on Tuesday, September 13th with a yes or no vote, as the current one percent levy expires at the end of 2023.

The rest of Marion County has recently also extended their LOSST levy in all other communities with those in place, including Knoxville, in 2021.