×

Trail connector not best use of tax dollars

I recently read the Marshalltown grant application for the Linn Creek Trail Connector Project, a .8 mile connection from the current trail to the Freedom Rock at the Legion. The total cost was stated on the June 2018 grant application as $1,064,693 and the request was for $250,000, leaving a total of $814,693 to be paid for by Marshalltown taxpayers.

I know the council authorized the city administrator to hire an engineering firm at the not-to-exceed cost of $65,000, and one was retained for a $44,000 contract, and then a grant application was submitted.

I question if this would be the best use of over three quarters of a million dollars of taxpayer money, post-tornado, especially when the property tax revenue is estimated to be down because of all of the demolished properties and all of the other city needs.

If you agree with this please contact your council person. This project hasn’t been addressed during a council meeting since the approval of the grant application so the public could be aware or that it would be a part of the public record.

Editor’s note: In an email to the Times-Republican, City Administrator Jessica Kinser said the city did not receive the grant and the project was put on hold post-tornado. The engineering firm Bolton & Menk has been paid $8.401.50 of the $44,000 contract for preliminary design work.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.38/week.

Subscribe Today