Assurances

By The Gazete Editorial Board

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The Cedar Rapids City Council should give Linn County supervisors the flood-control assurances they're seeking, as long as the county puts some skin in the game, too.

Supervisor Brent Oleson has made it clear the county wants in writing that May's Island and west-side neighborhoods of Cedar Rapids will be included in any flood control funded through the city's proposed 20-year extension of the local-option sales tax.

The county can't block the planned May 3 vote in Cedar Rapids and other county jurisdictions, but Oleson warns it can limit the sunset date of the tax - if OK'd by voters - to a year or less if the city doesn't provide a “memorandum of agreement” between the two governing bodies.

That seems reasonable, as both entities have a stake in flood control. And then, too, would it be reasonable for the county to contribute a share of any sales tax proceeds it would receive toward protecting its May's Island properties.

Settle this squabble soon. Selling voters on the sales tax extension will require a clear, unified voice from city and county leaders.

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