Ankeny Adds Support For Sales Tax Vote

ANKENY, IA — The Ankeny and Des Moines city councils on Monday gave their approval to let voters decide whether Polk County joins most of Iowa in collecting a local-option sales tax. Approval by the two cities, and West Des Moines last week, met a state-required threshold that communities representing 50 percent of the county's residents endorse the vote.

A March ballot is expected to be set for the one-cent sales tax increase.

The local-option sales tax was passed in Dallas County last month, giving momentum to Polk County communities to look at the issue. State officials have estimated Ankeny would collect $6.7 million a year in additional sales tax revenue, while Des Moines stands to gain an added $37 million annually.

>>Earlier: Dallas County Approves Local-Option Sales Tax

A vote must pass on the March ballot for tax collections to begin July 1, which is when Dallas County's one-cent tax goes into effect. Approval in Polk County would level the tax rate in cities that are located in both counties, such as West Des Moines and Urbandale. If the vote does not pass in Polk County, the tax rates will differ in various parts of those cities.

City councils have until Dec. 29 to decide on ballot language that would specify how the money would be used. Ankeny officials will discuss that at the next council meeting.

Supporters of the sales tax increase say it reduces the burden on property owners by providing additional revenue for services and needs that affect everyone, while opponents say it is a regressive tax that adversely affects poorer residents.

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