The Government of the Student Body is making another effort to achieve the goal of “one community” between the city of Ames and Iowa State by introducing a bill that would contribute nearly $500 to the April 5 special elections.

“It’s a small step forward toward building one community,” said Bronwyn Beatty-Hansen the GSB graduate senator who drafted the bill. “Both groups will have to continually do things to show their commitment.”

The citywide special election was originally called to decide if the city should raise its hotel/motel tax from 5 percent to 7 percent. ISU students then petitioned the city to add the reduction of City Council terms from four to two years to the ballot.

Members of the City Council have voiced concern and opposition to the petition, stating two years is not enough time for a City Council member to become effective and learn all there is to learn about being on the City Council.

“It’s our right to petition the city in this manner, but this is a goodwill offering and voluntary compromise,” Beatty-Hansen said.

Though adding a second issue to the ballot does not result in additional costs, Beatty-Hansen said she hopes the money will go toward satellite voting on campus at the Memorial Union and Parks Library. Dani Dunham, assistant auditor for Story County, said the cost for satellite voting would be about $300 to $800 more than what GSB anticipated.

The total cost of the election will be nearly $15,000, based on a similar election that took place in December 2003 in the same precinct. GSB’s contribution would account for about 3.3 percent of the total costs.

The money going to the election will come from the GSB senate discretionary account, which pays for unforeseen costs within GSB.

“Since we are asking for satellite voting, I think it’s a good idea to look into the cost,” said GSB Towers Residence Association senator Ryan Doll.

The Story County Auditor’s office will bill the city for election costs, which will come out of the city’s budget of almost $136 million — accounting for about 0.01 percent of the budget.

Councilman Steve Goodhue said although the city attorney said the city is responsible for the cost of an election, a contribution from GSB is welcome. He said since the petition was largely an ISU initiative, it is appropriate for GSB to contribute to the special election.

This would not be the first time special interest groups have given money to go toward elections, he said.

Doll said he hopes students would live in Ames for a few years before choosing to run for a City Council position.

“Someone just coming in who has only lived in Ames for a few months may not be qualified,” Doll said. “I would hope that students wouldn’t vote for someone just because they were a student. I hope they would still vote for the best person for the job.”

The bill is expected to be read Wednesday and would have to pass with approval from more than 50 percent of the senators at the meeting.