As voters prepare to head to the polls Nov. 4 to determine whether to approve new elementary and high schools in Iola, some have asked how much remains to be paid on other high-profile construction projects in and around Iola. Iola Water Treatment Plant Allen County Jail Allen County Regional Hospital Iola Municipal Pool Iola sewer systems Iola USD 257
Here are a few answers:
Iola will continue to pay off bonds used to fund the $10 million facility until Aug. 1, 2025.
The city pays about $600,000 annually to retire the bonds, with all of the revenues coming from water rates.
No property or sales taxes are used to pay for the plant.
The new Allen County Jail opened its doors in 2004. Of the $3.8 million cost, $1.7 million remains to be paid.
A portion of the revenues for the jail and its operations come from fees Allen County assesses outlying counties to house their prisoners. As of Oct. 1, the jail has collected $90,000 from such fees this year.
The rest comes from general fund money earmarked for the jail and its operations.
Sheriff Bryan Murphy said the jail will be paid off in February 2023. The county pays about $226,000 annually to pay off the bonds.
The city has completed two full years of providing a portion of its sales tax revenues to the hospital to help fund construction of the $30 million project.
Iolans in 2010 approved using half of its half-cent sales tax extension — one quarter cent — for 10 years. Collections began in 2011. The sales tax brings in about $300,000 annually.
No property taxes are used to fund the hospital. Rather, it is funded by the sale of industrial revenue bonds.
The swimming pool was rebuilt following the 2007 flood that ravaged much of south Iola.
Former Iola City Administrator Judy Brigham convinced the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to earmark funds that were originally going to be used to replace a pair of obsolete steam generators at the Iola power plant to be used on the pool instead. Thus, the $1.9 million project was paid for up front.
There were no property or sales taxes used.
Iola pays about $226,000 for a revolving loan fund used to upgrade the city’s sewage lagoons southwest of town and to reinforce several aging sewer lines.
The combined cost of those projects was about $5.5 million. They’ll be paid off in 2023.
Like the water plant, the sewer improvements are funded solely by utility bills. No sales or property taxes are earmarked for the projects.
Taxpayers have paid off the general obligation bonds used to fund renovations to Iola High School in 1988 and Iola Middle School in 1993.
The school district has no outstanding indebtedness.
Price tags on Allen Co. projects answered
