CONSERVATION BOND: Voters To Decide Bond

Polk County supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to allow tax payers to vote on a $50 million dollar bond issue in November.

“If we’re going to continue to restore our rivers and lakes, this is the way to do it,” said District 5 Supervisor, Angela Connolly.

If approved, those funds would go towards projects like preventing flooding at Four Mile Creek and cleaning up Easter Lake.

While the project is approved to be on the ballot, not all supervisors say they’ll vote the same way at the polls.

“I will vote yes to put it on the ballot but I will not vote the same way at the ballot box,” said District 4 Supervisor, John Mauro.

Mauro expressed concerns that this bond could be a setback for a courthouse project he believes is a priority.

“If I was the king, this wouldn’t be happening at this time. I think it has to happen, but I don’t think the timing is right,” Mauro told Channel 13 News.

It’s now up to conservation officials to urge the public to support paying higher property taxes for better recreation areas.

Conservation board member Tom Levis says that tax payers have the opportunity to get plenty of value for their dollar.

“It’s only about nine dollars per year for great parks, clear water, streams we can go fishing in, and places you can bike and go swimming. It only costs you nine dollars per year.”