Letter to the Editor: You might be next

To the Editor:
Bobby Kennedy said, “One-fifth of the people are against everything all the time.” However, there are times everyone needs to go against something if it is unfair and unjust. As previously pointed out, the planned paving project on 3rd Avenue SW is on a street used by an average 1,100 vehicles a day. In relation to the population of just Waukon, that’s roughly one out of four citizens, yet the property owners on it are required to pay for 40% of its repairs.
In a culture that strives for fairness and equality, I wonder how a small minority have to pay for something a majority use. How can this be?
Is it a dead-end used primarily by the residents on it? It’s actually a main thoroughfare connecting two of the main traffic arteries going in and out of town. With an average traffic count of 1,100 a day it’s clearly being used by more than the few residents on it, so that’s not it.
It works because those that can most afford it pay more? How it works is the property owner is assessed based on street footage. So, even if on a fixed income or own a modest home the owner could have a big assessment if they have the footage. For example: one owner’s assessment equals $22,000.... yes, $22,000. So, that’s not it either.
It adds value to the owner’s property? In reality, unless the road before repairs was a muddy cow path the owner’s property value goes down by the amount assessed. A potential buyer will not pay more for a house with a big tax levy against it, they will offer less, so again that’s not it.
It’s a way to increase tax income without upsetting everyone in town with higher property taxes? If a large financial burden is placed on just 30 property owners, out of about 1,700 taxable properties, that’s only 1.5% of the town. Is dealing with only 1.5% much easier than having to answer to all 1,700? Hmmm.
What I do know is the people of our city need to be aware of how the City of Waukon is, in effect, raising taxes and only a small percentage are getting hit the hardest. I urge you all to be that one-fifth of the people and contact your city administration letting them know you are against this unfair form of taxation, otherwise you might be next.

William J. Delaney
Waukon