Globe Gazette Favors ‘Yes’ Vote on Hampton Pool

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MASON CITY, Iowa – The daily Mason City, Iowa, Globe Gazette today endorsed a “yes” vote in the Tuesday, August 4, Hampton swimming pool ballot initiative.

The City of Hampton proposes to shift funds collected through the 1 percent Local Option Sales and Services Tax to help pay to replace the community’s recently closed swimming pool. The proposed local option funding would pay for a portion of the new pool. The remainder would be covered by private donations and grant money.

Because community support for a project is crucial for both grant funding and private gifts, there is a high cost to a “no” vote on August 4. A “no” vote means that most or all of the burden of funding a new pool rests exclusively with Hampton residents. A “no” vote calls into question whether there will be a new pool any time soon. A “yes” vote helps leverage grant funds, as well as gifts from people outside of the community. Local option revenue is generated in part by visitors to Hampton who shop in the city.

The Globe Gazette editorial said:

“It sounds like perfect timing for Hampton . We hope voters will approve allocating the full amount of the option tax toward the aquatic center so the community can make a big splash with its new pool.”

Currently, one-half cent of each penny collected goes to the water tower and one-half cent goes to a pool. The water tower soon will be paid off, so the city would like to use the full penny on the pool. A “yes” vote on August 4 is a vote in favor of using the funds on the pool. A “no” vote keeps the half-penny going to the water tower, even after it is paid off.

Iowa law requires such an election in order to change the way local option funds are used.