Cedar Rapids has no funds for 3 high-profile recreational projects

The hopes of some Cedar Rapids City Council members for the city's next budget were bigger last week than last night.

Members who last week talked about taking on $35 million in new debt for capital improvement projects scaled that figure back to $28 million when they realized the council could be flirting with a property-tax increase of more than 9 percent for homeowners to cover the extra spending.

Among what did not make the cut were an outdoor riverfront amphitheater, an outdoor ice rink/fountain on May's Island and the start of funding for a community and recreational center called the Multigenerational Community Life Center.

City Manager Jim Prosser said the city would still apply to secure a state River Enhancement Community and Tourism grant for the amphitheater and ice rink, and the city could sell bonds later to fund the local match if the state grant comes through.

Council member Justin Shields said not funding any part of the Community Life Center now would be the death of it.

Colleague Chuck Swore suggested it was “the perfect” project for the Linn County Board of Supervisors to take over and help fund.

“Pride and ownership is something I'm willing to give up,” Swore said.

Julie Sina, the city's parks and recreation director, said she has kept the Linn supervisors apprised of the progress of the project, but the supervisors “have indicated they don't have any money.” Mayor Ron Corbett last night also turned to the Linn County supervisors for help. He wondered why they and the county's public health operation couldn't take over animal care and control for the city. At the very least, Corbett said, it's time to talk with the county about joining forces now that the city is considering building an animal shelter at Kirkwood Community College to replace the one the June 2008 flood destroyed.

A week ago, council member Tom Podzimek was telling Corbett that the mayor was focusing too much on cutting the budget.

Last night, Podzimek said it was “gut check” time when he learned that residential property taxes could be jumping 9 percent in the next budget year even if the city kept services just as they are and limited investment in streets and other capital improvement projects to $30 million.

At the level of a 9 percent tax increase it was time, he said, to think about what the community can afford.

In each of the last two budget years, the council has committed about $29 million to capital projects, according to city budget figures.

The council will look for savings in its generaloperating budget at a meeting this evening.