City spent money on the wrong projects

Our city leaders used the 2008 flood and the funds that came with it as an excuse to purchase and renovate a hotel and convention center, in addition to building an amphitheater. The size and expense of the new library is unnecessary with our society becoming so tech-based. They also used the flood to remodel the old federal courthouse and it was done without a bid process.

Our city leaders try to justify the cost of these projects because most of the funds are paid by state and federal sources. Where do they think that money comes from?

They spent hundreds of millions building projects they want while our streets rot and our taxes rise. They say they didn't raise property taxes. However, instead of raising the tax levy, they raised the assessed value on residential properties.

The city leaders used the current LOST tax to pay TrueNorth $4 million more than appraised value (to move for the library) and yet they want you to give them $180 million more to play with during the next 10 years.

I'm a flood victim and I'm asking you to vote “no.”

Frank King

Cedar Rapids