I read a letter to the editor in the March 25 Record Herald regarding the W Euclid Paving and felt a response was appropriate. The West Euclid resident asks for the same assessment policy for new streets that the city uses to repave existing streets. That is, to pay 50% of the cost of the paving. Here are some important points to consider:

• West Euclid will be paved as a 31 ft wide street with an 8 inch depth
• W. Euclid paving was estimated at $1.2 million including engineering and related costs
• The city is contributing $300,000 of federal monies and about another $150,000 of tax payer monies to subsidize the cost of paving
• The city placed an assessed value of $25,000 to vacant lots that are 90' and larger which results in $6,250 assessment reduction (in addition to the subsidies above). The reduction occurs because cities can only assess 25% of a property's assessed value (25% of $25,000 is $6,250)
• The estimated cost/ft for paving W Euclid is about $195/ft after removing specific costs borne by the city including a culvert extension and some storm sewer work
• With the city/federal subsidies and reduction in assessed value, some property owners cost/ft will be below $100/ft. One 300 ft lot is assessed at about $83/ft.
• The assessed cost to W Euclid property owners will be less than the cost of constructing a normal 25 ft, 7 inch depth residential street

Based on the above information, the city has already reduced the cost of paving to about one half. The property owner is therefore asking to reduce his $18,000 assessment to $9,000, or, about one-quarter of the unsubsidized cost.

While controversial, assessments are intended to assign cost to those that receive benefit. All property owners have paid for their streets through the cost of their lot purchase. For example, property owners immediately north of W Euclid in the Prairie View Subdivision paid the cost of their paving, sewer and water utilities when they bought their lots. And, subsequent buyers of homes in that subdivision will reimburse the original owners when they buy homes as well.

One final comment. According the the Warren County Recorders Office, a 90 ft lot sold on W Euclid for $35,000 last year. The new owner contacted the city several times to find out the estimated assessment and was told it would be in the $12,000 range. The new owner therefore fully understands he has about $47,000 invested in a 90 ft vacant lot on W Euclid that has city sewer, water and paving.

The Iowa House, in a whirlwind fashion last week, passed amendment H8164 to H2645 that opens the scope of collective bargaining to include, among other items, the right for public unions to negotiate staff levels, hours of work/shifts; determination of insurance carriers and uniforms/equipment. In all, there are about 15 new areas that public employers (cities, counties and schools) would have to include in bargaining.

Needless to say, public employers across the state have been contacting their legislators to vote against adding new items because of the increased cost it will have on taxpayers. Opening these areas to collective bargaining may well increase staff levels which are a public employers most expensive asset.

Historically, staffing has been the responsibility of your elected officials including councils, county supervisors and school board members.

Unfortunately the Senate passed pass this legislation on Monday evening and Senator Staci Appel voted for opening the scope of bargaining in HF2645 even though council members and school board members strongly urged her to vote against the amendment. Representative Mark Davitt also voted for the amendment against the recommendations of mayors, council members and staff as well.

The bill now goes to the desk of Governor Chet Culver and we are hopeful he vetoes the bill.

Indianola's has two unions. One represents Police, Sewer, Street and Park employess and the other represents Electric and Water employees.

On March 18, Mayor Jerry Kelley, Fire Chief Brian Seymour and I presented petitions to the Warren County Board of Supervisors requesting that a 1 penny sales tax referendum be placed on a ballot in July, '08. There were nearly 1,000 signatures on the petitions and the 1-penny sales tax, if approved, would be used for an 11,500 square foot renovation/expansion to mainly the Fire and Police Departments at 110 North 1st Street.

Our Fire Department serves 120 square miles surrounding Indianola and about 19,000 people in that same area.

I will provide more information on the project and how it affects Indianola citizens in the future.

Hello

My name is Tim Zisoff and am city manager of Indianola. The purpose of this blog is to provide another method of communication with citizens. I plan to post new blogs each week regarding events, projects and services in the city and I am hopeful that citizens will take time to read them to learn a little bit more about what's happening in their city.

Citizens are encouraged to respond to my comments using the e-mail address posted on this blog. If possible I will answer or respond but there may be situations when time does not allow a response. Citizen comments will not be posted on this blog but I will receive all on them.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and I am hopeful it becomes a useful tool for increased communication.

Tim