1-Forgiveness of Property Taxes
The City should take action regardless of what the county does. Using the county as an excuse not to help with property tax abatement is wrong. While I served as Speaker of the House, it was not uncommon for local governments to take an action and seek a legalizing act later. Cedar Rapids can do that. Having said that, they should have used their political capital to make the law change this spring rather than pushing through new ways to raise taxes. Those living on fixed incomes who lost their homes need the city to act boldly, not point fingers at the county.
2- Local Option Sales Tax
The City has not allocated one penny of the local option sales tax thus far. The rush to get the tax implemented shows they don’t always operate in aculture of delay. Many families in Linn County made the sacrifice to pay an extra $300 per year to help out the flood survivors. For the City to sit on the money is unconscionable. They seem to lack a plan or vision. I will implement a plan and each month account for the expenditures online and in the newspaper. We need accountability and transparency. If the city isn’t going to allocate the LOST funds, then they should stop collecting it.
3-Healthy Homes
We need to create a health home check up program. There is a likely scenario that some homes will see mold reoccur. The City needs to provide healthy home check ups upon the request of homeowners. Concern for the health of the elderly and children dictates that this be done soon. I would also establish a remediation fund when a home is found to be dangerous or unhealthy.
4-In-fill
Currently this city is providing incentives for builders to redevelop in flooded areas. I would extend the incentive program to individual homeowners that want to rebuild. Developers look for contiguous parcels of land. Let’s give people the same incentives we provide developers. Doing this sooner, rather than later, will immediately create jobs in our community.
