Future of LOSST at stake

(ABC 6 News) – Special election day is here for residents of Mason City — and this year voters could pick to do away with something that’s been in the river city for years.

It’s called ‘LOSST’ or the local option sales and service tax.

A one percent tax on certain sales and purchases that are allocated to the city for specified uses – that needs to be renewed by voters.

It’s a revenue stream that some residents say is an important function for the city.

“It’s important that there are different revenue streams for the city and this one has been in place for a long time and has been renewed over and over again and this allows it to be in place and allows the city to plan to use this funding which I think is better for everybody,” said Melissa Fabian.

But there’s one change this year to this year’s vote — if voters choose to renew LOSST– it won’t expire.

That means that the law isn’t going anywhere — unless a vote is held to repeal it.

“This time it’s going to be one where it won’t sunset again so to get rid of it we will have to vote to take it off,” Election Judge Karen Dole said.

The fate of LOSST is now in the hands of the voters.

We will have more on this story throughout the evening.