LOST implemented only when other funding is in place

I have a concern regarding the petition to include a vote on the local-option sales tax extension for 10 years (March election) to pay for part of the flood protection system.

I support the idea of a comprehensive flood protection plan and believe the sales tax is a reasonable approach to “help” pay for it. However, if I remember correctly, this is part of Mayor Ron Corbett's three-legged stool and I have read nothing that would suggest that the other two legs are likely to be developed.

These are just two examples of the problem: the recent Federal Emergency Management Agency ruling on the Sinclair funds ($50 million shortfall), plus the recent Army Corps of Engineering plan, which stated that the appropriations are still not available to complete even the study and design phase of the east-side only project.

Furthermore, listening to the rhetoric from the State House regarding our budget issues, I have to wonder what dollar support can be expected from the state. I believe the solution is simple: Just make the ballot language state that the option sales tax will be implemented only when the other funding is in place to complete the flood protection project (or language to that effect). I think the timing is critical since the petition for placing this item on the March ballot is nearing completion (relative to the number of signatures).

Gordon Taylor

Anamosa