Letter: No new taxes for Cedar Rapids Library

Several months ago voters overwhelmingly voted against a tax increase for the Cedar Rapids Public Library, but now it appears that Mayor Ron Corbett and library director Dara Schmidt have come up with a backroom deal to circumvent the will of the voters.

The 3-by-5 deal, as outlined in a piece in The Gazette ('‘Modest' 15-cent tax bump pitched for library,” April 16) will bypass the voters and enact a 'moderate” tax increase on homeowners over a 5-year period.

The middle class homeowner is being taxed and taxed while companies are gifted with 10-year tax abatements to locate or relocate in Cedar Rapids.

Middle class homeowners have to tighten their belts so how about the library continuing doing the same? No new taxes!

Kurt J. Noack

Cedar Rapids