District 1 Debate between three candidates for Cedar Rapids City Council

• Incumbant Kris Gullick
• Tim Pugh
• Ryan Russell
  

"Pugh called revenue diversification “a slippery slope,” and he said property
taxes have continued to increase even with a new franchise fee on heating bills
and a new local-option sales tax. Gulick said the property-tax increase for the
most part was needed to fix the streets." - Rick Smith of The Gazette

District 1 City Council candidates talk taxes, streets - The Gazette

District 1’s Gulick faces challengers Pugh, Russell; says city can’t afford new City Hall on its own - Rick Smith, The Gazette

REPLAY LIVE COVERAGE: Cedar Rapids District 1 Candidate Forum - The Gazette
The Gazette’s Todd Dorman will provide live coverage of tonight’s Cedar Rapids City Council District 1 candidate forum. The forum, which starts at 7 p.m., is being held at Pierce Elementary School, 4343 Marilyn Dr. NE.Cedar Rapids District 1 Candidate Forum

Polling the Candidates - The Gazette
Last night, during a forum for five candidates running for two at-large seats on the Cedar Rapids City Council, the hopefuls were asked who they support in the hotly contested race for mayor.Three candidates, Chuck Swore, Donald Karr and Nick Duffy said they support Ron Corbett.Swore said he’d love to have Corbett’s top rival, council [...]

Are New Taxes and Revenues coming to Cedar Rapids? Yes, if a couple of current City Council members have their way. The two in question (Chuck Wieneke and Tom Podzimek) are not up for re-election on November 3, 2009, but do they carry the same views as the current members who are up for re-election?

The following article highlighted the following:

"Podzimek also asked City Manager Jim Prosser about
establishing a system of payment, in lieu of taxes, that would attempt to raise
revenue from hospitals, churches, colleges, non-profits and others "not
contributing to this system" because they are exempt from paying property
taxes."

"Prosser emphasized that the meeting was intended only to offer
a forecast of budget challenges ahead. Among those: a 3 percent drop in property
value because of flood damage, an expected 6 percent increase in personnel costs
and increased contributions to employee pension plans."

peace