New Delhi dam would benefit Delaware County

Recently, supporters of Lake Delhi presented a plan to rebuild the dam to the Delaware County Board of Supervisors. We believe the county needs to take the lead on this and commit funding toward the rebuilding of the dam and restoration of the lake.

If not, Delaware County could lose more than $1 million in tax revenue every year. This means that either their ability to provide roads, libraries and other county services will be reduced or the rest of the taxpayers in Delaware County will see the increase in their taxes every year. Also, the estimated economic impact of losing the lake is $15 million a year - money that no longer will be spent in Delaware County. This will result in lost jobs, failing businesses and even more lost revenues for the county.

Without the lake, the local banks that hold mortgages on lake properties valued at more than $126 million will see those property values decrease to possibly one third or less of their value, potentially leaving area banks with huge losses.

Even though this is a public lake, we agree that there should be a three-pronged approach to rebuilding the dam and restoring the lake. The state, to support the public water; Delaware County and the property owners and friends of Lake Delhi should all share the cost of rebuilding.

Delaware County has several tools available to invest in rebuilding without adding to the tax burden. Supervisors need to move forward now.

Jack and Eileen Andrews

Cedar Rapids