Marion mayor likes local option sales tax extension at ‘state of the city’ speech

Marion Mayor Paul Rehn voiced strong interest in a City of Cedar Rapids proposal to extend the one percent local option sales tax on Tuesday as he revied the city's progress in 2010.

At the annual State of the City address, Rehn said Cedar Rapids' proposal to seek a public vote in May extend the sales tax by 20 years beyond hits 2014 expiration date “well thought out.”

While Cedar Rapids would use the tax proceeds primarily for flood recovery and prevention, Rehn said the City of Marion would use it on capital improvement projects in its “necessary but unfunded” category.

“I will assure yoiu we will not invent any new ways to spend a windfall,” Rehn said.

In response to an audience question why the tax was needed, he said tax in reality “is the only way any of our city or county governments can raise any significant amount of funds due to our state sales tax saystem.”

Rehn updated some of the projects. They included the replacement of the city's 1984-vintage police department building, which has been deemed insufficient for staff use and needs, and an expansion of the city's public library, which he said is the county's busiest based on the number of items checked out.

Rehn was elected in in November 2007 after previously serving on the Marion City Council. He offered the following updates in a speech to over 100 members of the Marion-East Cedar Rapids Rotary Club and the League of Women Voters at the Best Western Longbranch Hotel.

• The uptown streetscape plan is being finalized, and will be reviewed by the Marion Planning and Zoning Commission and Marion City Council in the coming months.

• A west corridor planning committee is working through the process of developing a concept plan that is expected in spring or early summer

• The upcoming release of the 2010 Census is expected to show Marion with a population well over 34,000.

• Marion's crime rate remains among the lowest in the state for cities over 20,000.

• Marion added $52 million of new assessable growth last year.

• Marion's bond rating was raised from Aa2 to Aa1, and is now one of the best in the state for cities in its size category.

• The city's first set of LED street lights are being tested at Highway 100 intersections with S. 22nd Street and Tama Drive. If successful, their use could be expanded, resulting in significant cost savings in utilities.

• The Marion Parks and Recreation Department completed the Thomas Park playground project, constructed a walking trial on Lindale Drive.

Rehn concluded in true mayoral fashion by urging all citizens to clean the snow off fire hydrants near their homes.