A month from today on March 3rd the community of Knoxville will have the opportunity to vote on a General Obligation Bond Referendum that would fund the first phase of the district’s facilities improvement plan. If approved, the 20-year bond would have a net property tax impact of $8.79 per month on a $100,000 home, $18.53 per month on a $200,000 home and $28.08 per month on a $300,000 home. An approved bond would place district’s levy rates in the middle of comparable districts in the area, and still less than Carlisle, Melcher-Dallas, Pleasantville and Indianola. Phase One of the plan would include a new Knoxville Middle School building, along with air conditioning for Northstar Elementary and an HVAC system upgrade at Knoxville High School. Chris Nichols with the Facilities Planning Task Force tells KNIA/KRLS News he believes people should vote yes for the project because right now there is a lot of momentum in Knoxville. He says from the VA District to industries adding jobs and overall life improving in the community, if Knoxville wants to stay in the right direction and make the final step in attracting people and continuing to grow it starts with the schools. Nichols says schools are the backbone and face of the community and people make their decisions on if they want to live in your community based on how good the schools and school facilities are and he says now is the time for Knoxville to step up. Any Knoxville resident who can not vote on March 3rd can request an absentee ballot. A ballot will be sent directly to the voters home and can be filled out and mailed to the Marion County Auditor’s Office. For more information and to request your absentee ballot click here: https://sos.iowa.gov/electio…/electioninfo/absenteeinfo.html