Questions need answered before election

Yes, the streets need repairs, and yes, it would be helpful and fair to have all Cedar Rapids shoppers share in the cost. Several questions come up that make it difficult to make a decision on how to vote.

Is Cedar Rapids street maintenance considered a temporary or optional need? Say the local-option sales tax passes; what is the plan for Cedar Rapids street maintenance at the end of that 10 years?

I had originally thought that the tax was for repairing our city streets. The ballot reads: “The specific purposes for which the revenues shall otherwise be expended are: One hundred percent (100%) to pay for the costs of the maintenance, repair, construction and reconstruction of public streets.” Does this sound like more than maintenance?

After going to the Aug. 27 council meeting, I learned that the council plans to include extending/connecting Ellis Boulevard and Sixth Street SW. Will property have to be purchased to complete the connection? Will the local-option sales tax be used to purchase that property? Was five years at 1 percent considered? Will the local-option sales tax, if passed, be the only long-term solution to street repair in Cedar Rapids?

Just asking. Answers would be great.

Barb Schriever

Cedar Rapids