T-R FILE PHOTO From this June 22 photo, Marshalltown City Administrator Jessica Kinser addresses audience during the first “City Budgeting 101” presentation at the public library. The final program is 6 p.m. Thursday at the library.

Marshalltown voters will go to the polls Aug. 1 to approve or decline a measure to adjust the local option sales tax allocation.

The city currently applies annual LOST revenue to 75 percent property tax relief, 20 percent capital improvements and 5 percent any legal purpose authorized by council. The city wants to change it to 78 percent property tax relief and 22 percent any legal purpose authorized by council.

“The new allocation offers a (3) percent greater tax relief for property owners and provides a more predictable revenue stream and flexibility for the council,” Finance Director Diana Steiner told the Times-Republican last month.

What the city does not want is voters thinking the adjustment is a tax increase.

City Administrator Jessica Kinser addressed the issue.

“I let people know they will still pay 7 percent sales tax no matter what on Aug 1,” she said. “And this vote would actually put more money towards reducing property taxes.”

When votes are tallied, the city needs at least 50 percent “yes” plus one to change the current formula.

The vote is six days away, and Steiner and Kinser have one more “City Budgeting 101,” at 6 p.m. Thursday at the public library to make their case.

It is an opportunity, they say, for residents to learn the budgeting process, and how the city receives and spends revenue, and why the reallocation is important.

A YouTube video of the presentation can be viewed: youtube.com/watch?v+wRwM7wy3R2k.

Previous meetings were held June 21, 28, July 6 and 17.

Councilors also will be prepared should the topic come up at the next “Coffee with Council,” at 7:30 a.m. this Friday in the back room of The Brew House, 4 W. Boone St.

Mayor Jim Lowrance said residents who have talked to him understand the re-allocation and are supportive.

“We want residents to be informed,” he said. “We do not want folks misunderstanding our intentions.”

Fourth Ward Councilor Mike Gowdy said there is some support among those who talked to him and looked into the issue.

“Residents are supportive, once I explained it applied more to property tax relief and gave the city flexibility,” said Gowdy.

At-Large Councilor Bill Martin commented.

“I know there is active outreach (by Kinser and Steiner) to citizens so they understand,” Martin said. “I am not hearing any opposition. I don’t think there would be any, or not much. There could be opposition resulting from misunderstanding.”

For more information, contact Steiner via email at dsteiner@marshalltown-ia.gov, or Kinser via email at jkinser@marshalltown-ia.gov, or 641-754-5700.

She said the Iowa Code requires re-allocation change be brought to a vote.

The city will pay the Marshall County Auditor’s office for all special election costs.

Marshalltown is divided into four voting precincts, with their respective polling places at:

• Ward 1: Marshalltown Public Library

• Ward 2: Malloy Hall, Iowa Veterans Home.

• Ward 3: Fisher Community Center.

• Ward 4: First Baptist Church.

Polls open at 7 a.m. and close 8 p.m.