Voters in Story County will vote yes or no on a $25 million Water and Land Legacy bond, which aims to fund conservation and recreational projects in Story County.
“The purpose of the bond is pretty specific,” James Pease, co-chair of the bond’s committee and the board chair of Story County Conservation, said. “We’ve got a bunch of projects we’re trying to get funded so that we can have a secure source of funding over the next eight to 10 years to complete these projects.”
Some projects include stabilizing the Skunk River’s banks to prevent erosion, reduce flooding and improve water quality at Hickory Grove Park. They would also support new ADA-accessible trails and upgrades to existing parks, including expanded fishing and kayaking areas and an environmental education and nature center at McFarland Park. To view all of the projects, visit their website.
Pease said the bond would add about $2.60 monthly to the average homeowner’s property taxes, or about $32 annually.
“For people who are concerned about their property tax bills, I understand that, but I think that it’s a worthwhile investment in our future,” Pease said. “These sorts of things that we’re doing are really quality of life improvements for Story County residents, and it’s important for a number of reasons, but primarily because it makes Story County an even better place to work, to live and to play.”
The bond funding would be allocated 36% for parks, 32% for water and habitat projects and 32% for trails and outdoor recreation.
The bond requires a supermajority of 60% yes votes to pass in the upcoming election.
“We hope people will vote yes,” Pease said. “They have to turn the ballot over on the back, where the judges are, and this is called Public Measure A. It authorizes the county to borrow up to 25 million.”
On the ballot, the measure states, “Shall the County of Story, State of Iowa, enter into one or more loan agreements and issue its general obligation bonds in an amount not exceeding $25,000,000 for the purpose of paying the costs, to that extent, of (i) improving and protecting the water quality of rivers, lakes, and streams and reduction in flooding; (ii) for acquisition and development of land for public parks and wildlife areas; and (iii) for construction and improvement of trails and conservation facilities or other recreation or conservation purposes, to be managed by the Story County Conservation Board, with full public disclosure of all expenditures?”
Story County conservation board meetings are open to the public to provide project input, and Pease said, “We’re trying to be totally transparent about it.”
The board is hosting a public education Zoom at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
For more information, visit the Story County Water and Land Legacy Bond website.
Previous reporting from the Daily provides details about the Ames general election ballot.
