State ombud mulling probe of Cedar Rapids LOST funds

The state ombudsman's office may investigate Cedar Rapids' management of funds raised through the local option sales tax for flood recovery.

“We are assessing the issue to determine whether it's appropriate for us to investigate,” Ombudsman William Angrick said Tuesday afternoon.

Angrick said his office has received requests from local residents for an investigation, but staff must first determine whether the office is authorized under state law to act.

Cedar Rapids residents approved the 1 percent, five-year sales tax in March 2009. The city ballot dedicated 90 percent of the proceeds to acquisition and rehabilitation of flood-damaged housing, 10 percent to property tax relief.

Part of the question comes down to determining the exact nature of the complaint, Angrick said.

”We're still trying to articulate what the complaint actually is,” he said. “We have a hole range of issues.”

Angrick said he must also determine whether a petitioner has tried to address their complaint through other means. A decision could take “a few days to a week,” he said.