DNR’s managing of its funds questionable

In November, the Department of Natural Resources wants Iowa voters to vote yes to giving them approximately $150 million per year over and above their ever-burgeoning budget. They want this money to come from a future increase in the sales tax.

How many times have you read or heard the DNR say they may have to close parks because there is not enough money to maintain them? A park in Black Hawk County that was damaged in the 2008 floods is still not repaired and the park ranger said on television the reason was lack of funds. Yet, during the first three months of this year, the DNR spent $2.2 million to purchase more land. My estimation is a total expenditure over the last 10 years of approximately $40 million on land purchases alone.

Why are they allowed to perpetuate this land grab when they admittedly cannot take care of what they own?

People living in Iowa urban areas have very little, if any, interaction with this state agency but farmers and other rural landowners know them well. Giving them additional funding gives them more power to interfere in the lives of every rural Iowan. Is this what you want?

We are being given the opportunity to tell them to clean up their house before asking for additional funding. I urge you to vote no in November to their request for a trust fund.

Merle D. Wilson

Jesup