Protection hasn’t been city priority

By Tim Pugh

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On Tuesday, we go to the ballot box again to determine the fate of a proposed extension of the local-option sales tax, much like we

did just

10 months ago, when we said “no.” We are in year three of the existing five-year LOST, which the people passed in good faith following the devastating flood of 2008. The City Council at the time promised the money would be used for homes. However, this tax never went to homes or flood protection but to pet projects I believe came from the Chamber of Commerce. Now they're asking for more money.

Tuesday's vote is for “flood protection.” The city has no real plan for flood protection. We will be voting on a blank check for any project they can twist into “flood protection.” They have a few ideas, most notably the “preferred plan” and the 2007 downtown revitalization plan. Both include the same ideas and grand plans for downtown but ignore other areas, such as the nearly rebuilt Rompot area.

The Army Corps of Engineers recommends a concrete flood wall (on the east side). However, the city wants extremely expensive removable flood walls, which are untested on such a large scale. The removable flood walls also take time to erect and would need continuous maintenance of the seals and seats.

The truth is that Cedar Rapids has had plenty of opportunity to begin constructing flood protection. Instead, the city spent money on purchasing a failing hotel and the construction of a convention center and will spend an estimated $130 million. The city also has spent millions on constructing a new library and passed the old library to its insurance carrier at our expense. The city also decided to build a new public works facility. These are pet projects instead of flood protection.

We also need to consider that if the LOST extension is passed, the city can bond for the money, making it impossible to repeal the tax.

Cedar Rapids needs to work more with the Army Corps of Engineers to create and design a flood protection plan for Cedar Rapids before we allow them to take our money. Vote “no” until they have a plan, become more transparent and stop wasting our hard-earned taxes.

Tim Pugh, of Cedar Rapids, is a small-business owner, political activist and member of We Can Do Better CR. Comments: timpugh77@gmail.com