Bond levy for NICC passes

Howard-Winneshiek - The $39 million bond levy for Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) passed with 84 percent of the voters in favor of the tax.

The last bond and interest fund levy was at 28.8 cents per $1,000 assessed valuation, and that rate is not changing. There is no additional tax.

Residents of eight northeast Iowa counties voted in the special election, including Allamakee, Chickasaw, Clayton, Delaware, Dubuque, Fayette, Howard and Winneshiek. Votes were also taken in Bremer County.

The total number of voters was approximately 5,501, with 4,632 voting yes and 872 voting no.

Howard County had a low voter turnout, with a total of 207, 43 of those were absentee. Howard County was 87 percent in favor of the bond, with 180 yes votes to 27 no.

Elma Memorial Hall had a total of 15 votes, Riceville had 16, Lime Springs had 18 and Cresco had 115.

NICC plans to make needed renovations and updates throughout its 5,056-square mile district in:

• Educational programming and services, which include creating flexible, updated and collaborative learning spaces

• Infrastructure, including renovations to the Peosta Campus Main Building and Max Clark Hall on the Calmar campus

• Security, including district-wide camera and door security systems to enhance safety

• Technology priorities that include replacing network servers and cybersecurity systems.