Why would I want to support the Marshalltown Local Option Sales Tax (LOST)? Isn’t it just another tax? How is LOST different?

If I travel to Des Moines for an event, most of what I purchase has a one percent additional sales tax. Within Des Moines, 50 percent of what they collect goes to Des Moines residents’ property tax relief. This reduces their levy rate. The other percentage goes to community improvement. In Ames, 60 percent goes to property tax relief, the other toward community betterment. I looked around and it looked like no matter where I went to an Iowa community, I pay this.

In Marshalltown, we also have guests that use our city infrastructure and services. Consider all the people you know that live outside of Marshalltown but work or shop here. I take the route in my head, start with Theisen’s, move on to Menards, Walmart, eat and much more. Then stopping for a refill of coffee before heading into work.

Welcome to Marshalltown. Our guests and coworkers are helping us recoup the cost of using our city’s infrastructure and services.

Marshalltown is proposing a renewal with a 75 percent property tax rebate and the remaining toward a variety of city needs. I submit to you that we have the best deal.

What difference does Marshalltown one percent sales tax make? This past year, it was over $3 million. If this was not in place, each of us would be paying approximately $348 more in property tax for $100,000 of house value. To me, anyway, that makes a difference.

What does our improvement fund pay for? A full list from last year is available, but a few examples include fixing sidewalks, cabinets for the Coliseum, City Centre parking lot, paying General Obligation bonds, Downtown Revitalization grant and Lead Grant match — items that did not fit in the standard budget.

LOST is a way for those that do not live in the community who benefit and use our infrastructure and services to help cover the cost. Without it, we will see our property tax bill jump.

I hope you will join me on March 5 to support LOST.