May 3, 2011: How should we pay for Infrastructure Needs in Linn County, Iowa?

Yes, it's the last day of the month, the 30Th of April 2011.

On Tuesday, May 3Rd, voters in Linn County, Iowa, except for people in three small townships, will vote to extend the local option sales tax for twenty years through 2034. Those other three cities have already done that. The sales tax will remain seven percent, which it is currently.

In Cedar Rapids, Marion, Hiawatha and Robins, each City is planning to use the 20 year extension of the L.O.S.S.T or local option sales tax as an Infrastructure Tax [PDF of ballot]. The fifth city in the voting block of five (Hiawatha) is not.

The infrastructure in Linn County and our communities is getting older. Like with our pools in Cedar Rapids, they reached the age where they needed to be replaced. Much of the infrastructure in Linn County has reached an age, where replacement is needed. In Cedar Rapids, four tenths of every cent (40 percent) will be used for existing street infrastructure.

The City of Cedar Rapids choose to not allocate funds, since 1967 to ward off the historical flood that occurred in 2008. The 1967 Flood Study predicted the Flood of 2008. It is time to have a funding source for flood protection systems. Several plans are being discussed. The City of Cedar Rapids needs a funding source for the final plans.

Sales tax is a natural option for local communities for infrastructure projects. The State of Iowa limits municipal and county governments to one percent. In many cases, like with roads, people who use our roads, can help in funding them. A sales tax over a property tax provides us with that opportunity for those who work and visit our community to help in maintaining that infrastructure.

We are voting "Yes" on May 3Rd. We support a local Infrastructure Tax.

peace

More Public Spending on the way for the City of Cedar Rapids

Talked to a newer Cedar Rapids resident who was concerned about his rising property taxes today at work. He estimated his taxes were going to rise as much as $2,200. He found out about the changing tax climate in our community, when he and his wife went to refinance his house of two years and property taxes came up.

City seeks $12.2 million in I-JOBS funds for amphitheater, fire stations - The Gazette
The City Council is seeking to secure $12.2 million more in state I-JOBS disaster-related funds in a statewide competition for a remaining pot of about $30 million in such funds ...
Council members look at sprucing up gateways into city - The Gazette

While the City of Cedar Rapids needs to rebuild, the questions regarding the designs and costs of flood mitigation infrastructure leads one to pause. The State and Local community typically has to come up with a 35% match with the Federal government.

The Corp of Engineers is still working on the recommendations for our community. Right now, there are significant differences between what our community wants to see vs. what the Corp has been suggesting.

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City Council approves $132 million in Public infrastructure recovery plan

KCRG-TV reports in a story titled CR Council Approves $132 Million Recovery Plan. The biggest highlight to the plan is that the City Council wants to proceed with plans to "repair, restore and improve" the historic Paramount Theatre, along with other infrastructure.

The KCRG story highlighted the following infrastructure approved for repair, restore and improvements:

Infrastructure that could be completed by the Fall of 2009 (according to consultants hired by the City of Cedar Rapids):

• 4th Avenue Parkade
• 3rd Avenue Parkade
• GTC Parkade
• Jones Golf Course
• Ellis Pool
• Cheyenne Park
• Mohawk Park
• Seminole Valley Park (non-historic)
• Indian Creek Nature Center
• Tait Cummins Sports Complex
• Riverside Park
• Czech Village Park

Infrastructure that could be completed by 2010

• Ellis Park Buildings
• US Cellular
• Old Fire Station at Science Station
• Ellis Harbor Infrastructure
• Riverfront Maintenance Buildings
• Time Check Recreation Center (could be potentially relocated)

There are some serious questions still for the following infrastructure:

• Central Fire Station
• The Library
• Veteran's Memorial / City Hall

Further the following infrastructure is still under review:

• Police Shooting Range – Storage Building
• Public Works – Forestry Building A Street Shop
• Riverside Roundhouse
• Green Square Park
• Riverside – Oak Hills TIF
• Seminole Valley Park
• Ushers Ferry
• House at 1021 5th
• Hydroelectric Dam Building

Like with the University of Iowa recently, it should be interesting to see how FEMA concludes it's evaluation of the Cedar Rapids infrastructure. Last week, the University of Iowa announced findings on some of their infrastructure.

According to the story, "the recovery plan approved by the council will provide an outline for the process, but doesn't finalize anything quite yet." Citizen input will be next, before any final decisions are finalized.

peace