Where do you stand on the upcoming May 3 Local Option Sales Tax for Cedar Rapids, Marion, Hiawatha, Robins, Fairfax and Linn County, Iowa?

Signs are going up around Cedar Rapids. The professionally made "Vote Yes May 3" signs from Protect Cedar Rapids Committee campaigning for support of the May 3 Local Option Sales Tax. Of course, others are creating there own "Vote No" signs and sticking in their yards.

It is an important ballot measure for Cedar Rapids. The Pro-Tax group is conducting neighborhood meetings throughout the month of April, ahead of the May 3rd vote.

In the City of Cedar Rapids, the ballot language is as follows:

For the City of Cedar Rapids: Ten percent (10%) for Property Tax Relief; The specific purposes for which the revenues shall otherwise be expended are: Fifty percent (50%) to establish and maintain a flood protection system on both the east and west side of the Cedar River; and forty percent (40%) for existing street improvements. - Cedar Rapids - sample ballot for Metro area [PDF]

We encourage voters in Linn County to read the ballot language and get out and vote. For citizens outside the Metro Cedar Rapids area, here is the link to your ballot language.

The five communities of Cedar Rapids, Marion, Hiawatha, Fairfax and Robins will vote as a block. The use of the tax will be different in each City, but they will vote it up or down together.

Robin Tucker