When voters residing in the West Des Moines Community Schools district boundaries go to the polls on Nov. 4 (or sooner), this is the exact language they will see on the ballot:

Shall the Board of Directors of the West Des Moines Community School District in the Counties of Polk and Dallas, State of Iowa, be authorized to contract indebtedness and issue General Obligation Bonds in an amount not to exceed $135,000,000 to provide funds to remodel, repair, improve, furnish, and equip existing district buildings with an emphasis on instructional spaces, including technology, electrical, HVAC, and plumbing improvements, including related site improvements; to construct, build, furnish and equip a new multipurpose student activities facility near Valley Stadium and Valley Southwoods, including related site improvements; to improve and equip playground areas at the elementary buildings; to construct, build, furnish and equip a new mid-size auditorium addition for district use at Indian Hills Junior High, including related site improvements; to improve and equip the track and field area at Valley Southwoods, including related site improvements; to reconfigure the main entrance at Valley High School to enhance safety and security; to upgrade technology and equipment at the Valley High School Performing Arts Center; and to construct, build, furnish, and equip a band/equipment storage building at Valley Stadium, including related site improvements? 

Property Tax Rate Impact

Current property tax rate: $12.22 (lowest in the Des Moines metro) 

Rate increase, if bond is approved: $1.52

New property tax rate, if bond is approved: $13.74 (still lowest in the Des Moines metro)

Metro Property Tax Rate Comparison

Monthly Tax Impact

For a West Des Moines home with an assessed value of $300,000, the successful passage of this bond would increase property taxes $17.41 per month.

or

((Assessed Valuation of Home*Rollback Percentage)-Homestead Tax Credit)*Rate Increase/1,000/12)

*Formula courtesy of Iowa School finance Information Services

Cost estimates for the projects that would be supported by the general obligation bond:

• $102.1 million: Building and classroom modernization (with a focus on instructional spaces)
• $35.4 million: Constructing a new multipurpose activities facility
• $13.0 million: Constructing a new mid-sized performing arts center for district use 
• $3.3 million: Upgrading the outdated track and field facility at Valley Southwoods Freshman High School
• $3.0 million: Updating elementary playgrounds
• $1.2 million: Upgrading technology and equipment at the Staplin Performing Arts Center at Valley High School
• $1.0 million: Constructing a new band and multipurpose equipment storage facility at Valley Stadium
• $800,000: Replacing the videoboard at Valley Stadium

Projected Cost Breakdown

Dollar figures listed in millions