(Milford)– The Okoboji School Board voted unanimously Monday evening to approve the issuance of roughly $16,500,000 in School Infrastructure Sales and Use Tax Revenue Bonds. The funds will be used for various projects at the elementary, high school and administrative offices. They include roofing and HVAC replacements, asbestos removal, auditorium upgrades and to construct, furnish and equip a maintenance/transportation building. It also includes an addition to the high school for a commons/cafeteria area, to remodel the kitchen, new restrooms and other improvements at the high school site along with parking improvements and vehicle circulation.
School board member Tracy Evans said there’s another important component to the package as well…
“Another thing to go with it I think is going to be nice is to have a continued maintenance plan, you know, so we don’t get like this again.”
Board member Julie Johnson says it’s also important to point out the action taken will not have an impact on the district’s property tax payers…
“I mean we tried our best during the bond process to make it clear that even with the passage of the bond and the middle school we still had a lot of projects that would still need to happen. And so, you know, we’re to that point and I feel like the public understands that and we’re fortunate to be able to pay for this with sales tax dollars and not have to raise property taxes.”
The board voted to proceed following a public hearing that drew no comments.
