By Sam Parsons

The Oskaloosa City Council has a regular meeting scheduled for tonight. The council is set to consider a resolution that would call for a special city election on the creation of a new tax for a reserve fund for continuing capital improvements. The council directed city staff to determine the need to establish a capital improvements reserve fund in their meeting on June 16. According to city staff, the reserve fund is necessary in the face of reductions in property tax revenue and the need to maintain current equipment, outfit departments with proper equipment, and continue infrastructure improvements for roads, parks, and other public places. The proposed levy for the potential tax is $0.675 per $1,000 of taxable value in any one year until repealed. The city council has until September 19 to approve a resolution calling for the election on the levy in order to put the measure on the ballot for the election this November.

Also on the agenda for tonight’s meeting is another public hearing for the 8th Avenue West reconstruction project after it was tabled due to a 3-3 tie in a vote amongst the city council in their last meeting; and there’s a resolution to approve a 28E agreement between the city and the Oskaloosa Community School District to fund an additional school resource officer. The meeting will begin at 6pm tonight in the Oskaloosa City Council chambers.