Cedar Rapids Metro Votes Down Local-Option Sales Tax

Residents in the Cedar Rapids metropolitan area, including Marion, have just voted down a 10-year extension beyond 2014 of 1 percent local-option sales tax.

The measure was defeated by a narrow margin with the winning side getting 51 percent of the vote. The metropolitan block votes as a single area, meaning that votes from Cedar Rapids, Marion, Robins, Hiawatha and Fairfax determined the outcome.

Fifty-one percent or 14,024 residents voted no on the tax extension in the special election, meaning that out of the 27,469 votes, the measure failed by a slim margin of 579 ballots. The yes side received 13,445 votes, and turnout was 22 percent.

The city of Marion had previously passed the 1 percent sales tax, but since the extension failed, the current tax will end June 30, 2014.

Other areas were also voting on an extension, and it passed in the unincorporated areas of the county.

The votes were as follows:

In the metro: Yes: 48.95 percent or 13,445 votes; No: 51.05 percent or 14,024 votes.

In inincorporated areas: Yes: 50.61 percent or 1,744 votes; No: 49.39 percent or 1,702 votes.

In Walford: Yes: 38.24 percent or 13 votes; No: 61.76 percent or 21 votes.