Marion council considers LOST spending

MARION - Under a proposal being considered by the City Council, Marion would spend most of its share of revenues from an extended local-option sales tax on streets work.

An expansion of the city's library would also be funded under the $54.5 million plan reviewed briefly at last night's council meeting. Council members voted to further review the draft at a work session before bringing the plan to a vote next month.

The plan calls for spending 70 percent of Marion's tax proceeds on street and sewer maintenance and repair, and 30 percent on “general or essential corporate purpose” - essentially any other legal use a future council may decide, City Manager Lon Pluckhahn said.

Residents in several Linn County jurisdictions will vote March 6 on the proposal to extend the 1-cent sales tax for another 10 years beyond its current 2014 expiration. The extension is being sought by some Cedar Rapids residents to fund flood protection measures on both sides of the Cedar River.

Pluckhahn said Marion's share of the additional revenue under the state's distribution formula would be about $5 million the first year, growing by about $100,000 in each succeeding year.

The draft plan will be posted on the city's web site for public review and comment before final council action, Pluckhahn said.

The council also voted Tuesday night to shift its Thursday formal sessions to 7 p.m. on the second and third weeks of the month. Work sessions will be at 4 p.m. the preceding Tuesday.

Marion Lost Draft