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FAIRFIELD, IOWA -- The future is bright for the Fairfield Arts & Convention Center after a referendum vote on Tuesday.

Residents approved a referendum to allocate 12.5 percent of the City of Fairfield's Local Option Sales Tax Revenues, totaling $650,000 to purchase the Fairfield Arts and Convention Center, and place its ownership in the hands of the City.

The tally is 1,607 "Yes" votes and 806 "No" votes.

Rustin Lippincott, Executive Director of the Center, said that the center can now "retire its debt and concentrate on increasing its services to the community."

As KTVO reported last week, the Convention Center had secured $950,000 in funds generated by its board members. These funds are their portion of a "public-private partnership" with the City of Fairfield.

The Jefferson County Auditor, Scott Reneker told KTVO that over 500 absentee ballots were requested, and as of Tuesday night, there are only 20 outstanding ballots.