Resident wonders when the bleeding of taxpayers will stop

By MEGAN COOPER

Mt. Pleasant News

The Miller-Valentine senior housing project is supported by community members, but there are some unsettled emotions.

Ryan Matheney, a concerned Henry County resident, approached the board during the public hearing portion of Thursday?s regular Henry County Board of Supervisors meeting.

?I want to make it clear, I?m not talking down this project,? said Matheney. ?I think it?s a great idea and it caught my attention because of what I do, it?s the business I?m in. I?m just concerned about the taxpayers and how much they will have to keep giving.?

The project Matheney is referring to is the project presented by the Miller-Valentine Group, who wants to purchase 4.12 acres directly south of Hy-Vee in order to develop senior housing, which would serve the community?s needs. It would construct one three-story building with 30 units and 15 cottages, which include garages.

?I just wanted to know who will be responsible for the infrastructure, like the roads, sewers etc. It seems that taxpayers have given enough,? said Matheney. ?They helped to pay for the housing study, where does this stop? When will it be enough??

According to board member Gary See, there is no pledge by the county for the infrascture on the project.

?That is between Miller-Valentine and the city,? explained See. ?The city applied for a RISE grant to take South Prairie to the proposed roundabout that was sketched in, but that was denied. The city is looking at using TIF funds to pay for it. Miller-Valentine did propose they may help with some of it, I think.?

Shelly Barber, Henry County Auditor and Commissioner of Elections, elaborated on the statement by See, stating that from what she learned, Miller-Valentine was going to discuss the project with the city and they (Miller-Valentine) were prepared to assist or partially go down for some of the road.

?I don?t know what they decided, though,? said Barber. ?It?s up to the city at this point and whatever was discussed there.?

Matheney then expressed his feelings on the issue to the board, stating that he felt it all happened rather quickly.

?It?s just my personal opinion, but I think this all happened pretty quick,? discussed Matheney. ?We delayed joining the Chamber because of issues like this and then we did end up joining and we were told that there would be talk with local investors first, then I see it in the paper. I was wondering, can we tie local contractors to the project?

?Could you sell them the land for a dollar and make a contingency they use local contractors? This would make sure that local contractors would get involved on this project. I think it?s important to do that. I think it?s worth looking into,? said Matheney.

Vice-chairman Greg Moeller stated the project wasn?t up to the county, it was based on federal tax credits and this drives the project.

?Don?t remind me. I?m tired of federal and state tax credits,? said Matheney. ?To summarize, like I said I?m not talking this project down. I just want to know when the bleeding of taxpayers stops. I think if we do this, with the infrastructure, it may be more than we asked for. This project would be good, especially if we can get people from other communities here. As I said, I?m not opposed to the project.

?I just think that I?m at a point in my life where I need to get involved. I?m frustrated with grants, federal funding and all this. There are numerous stores downtown that could be used and one that is closing its doors, but we are still spending tax dollars. It?s a vicious cycle. I just think we could work privately,? concluded Matheney.

Marc Lindeen, chairman of the board, stated in the closing of the discussion that the land has been up for sale for many years and there are no tax incentives on it. There is nothing else planned and that?s all that?s being offered.

In other board news, Henry County Engineer Jake Hotchkiss recommended approval for the contract for the resurfacing of the courthouse parking lot and the Central Point of Coordination building parking lot.

?The contractor will be resurfacing/coating and restriping the parking lots,? said Hotchkiss. ?I sent quotes to three different contractors, but we only received one back. What I got back was substantially under what I thought.?

The contract, after a short discussion, was awarded to Gee Asphalt Systems of Cedar Rapids for the amount of $13,815. This includes both lots and the surface prep.

?They have a good product and I feel this is a good decision,? said Hotchkiss. ?It will take about two days to do it and we are looking at starting Sept. 5.?

The Henry County Board of Supervisors will meet again in regular session on Tuesday, July 29, at 9 a.m. in the board room at the courthouse.