Culver: ‘I bring good news’
Governor weighs in behind local casinoBy LINDSEY MUTCHLER, Messenger staff writer
Article Photos
Fact Box
Supervisors will hold hearing on jail
By LINDSEY MUTCHLER, Messenger staff writer
Constructing a new jail in Webster County is back on the table.
During a meeting Thursday, the Webster County Board of Supervisors voted 3-0 to set a public hearing to use local option sales tax to fund the possible construction of a new jail.
Two weeks ago the supervisors informally decided to postpone constructing a new jail because there was not "overwhelming" public support to pay for the project with a combination of property tax debt levies and a general obligation bond.
For this reason, the board decided not to hold a special election.
"We determined we didn't want to spend money on a vote because we were thinking it was obvious people didn't want to spend that kind of money," Supervisor Eddie Peterson said. "I've never really heard much from people coming up and saying 'we need a jail' or 'we don't want to spend that kind of money.' I didn't really hear anything."
However, after a meeting with architect John Haila and Scott Stevenson with Ruan Securities, other financing options, as well as the size of the jail, were discussed.
"This is my crystal ball," Haila said. "I don't think you're ever going to find a better time to bid a project."
"Best of times to bid, but worst of times to pay," Supervisor Keith Dencklau said. "Where do we go from here?"
The option presented was to fund the project entirely from a half-cent local option sales tax backed by general obligation bonds.
Assuming the county's sales tax receipts total $700,000 - which is a conservative estimate since the county brought in $875,000 last year - it could fully fund the project.
"I thought it would be best to use a conservative view and use $700,000 to find what you can fund based on that," Stevenson said. "For a larger jail at $7.6 million, as well as matching (the I-JOBS) grant, the total comes to about $9.5 million. Debt service would be about $685,000, which is essentially a one-to-one ratio in terms of insurance, assuming you have $700,000 in revenue. Based on that assumption you could still fully fund the project through a G.O.-backed sales tax bond."
But perhaps the board would like to have some "built-back balance left over," Stevenson said, to offset additional operating costs or just to have.
"We could downsize the project and fund a new jail to the tune of $6 million, which would give a total of $8 million in terms of covering the grant for the LEC and a new jail," Stevenson said. "Debt service would be $570,000, leaving $130,000 on an annual basis to have in your budget, more or less, to do with what you want."
By using local option sales tax money, the board would not have to hold a special election since part of the money is designated for construction and maintenance of buildings.
However, public input would not be ignored since the board must hold a public hearing before moving forward, and if 10 percent of the population who voted in the last election signs a petition against the measure, then the project would have to be put to vote.
Stevenson said jails across the state are being paid for with sales tax revenues.
Supervisor Bob Singer suggested appointing a five-person commission to assess the condition of the third-floor jail, as well as the public's mood toward the project, and report back to the board within 90 days.
This proposal was dismissed by other members of the board since the project has been studied extensively.
"A hearing would give us input from the public so we can move this project forward," Dencklau said.
"Contractors are looking for work," Peterson said. "So bids will probably come in lower than expected; that's what we've seen with drainage districts."
"We should let the people come to us, and tell us what they want," Supervisor Phil Condon said.
The board agreed to educate the public about the condition of the LEC's third-floor jail and the plans to build a new jail before the hearing takes place.
Contact Lindsey Mutchler at (515) 573-2141 or lindsey@messengernews.net
Move forward out of the recession by creating jobs.
This is the message Gov. Chet Culver conveyed as he discussed the proposed casino and the I-JOBS grant awarded to Webster County. The governor met with the Webster County Board of Supervisors and members of the public Thursday morning to put an accent on optimism.
"I bring a lot of good news this morning," Culver said. "Some that you know about - and some that you don't know about."
Residents may know that Culver's administration recently awarded Webster County a $1.9 million I-JOBS grant to remodel the Webster County Law Enforcement Center. Now the governor is also offering the county support for its proposed casino project during his Moving Iowa Forward tour.
"The Racing and Gaming Commission is meeting all day in Des Moines today," Culver said Thursday. "Because of that, today I have made it very clear to the commission that I believe all four counties that passed the (gambling) referendum should get the gaming licenses."
The nearly 30 observers in the supervisors room exploded into cheers upon hearing the news.
"Obviously, that includes Webster County and the city of Fort Dodge," Culver said. "I believe the people have spoken loudly and clearly, and these counties should be treated like the other counties that have passed a referendum."
Culver said the referendum was really about economic development and job creation, which, he said, Fort Dodge needs. He cited an unemployment rate that rose from 4 percent to 8 percent.
"You need good-paying jobs whether it's the casino or I-JOBS project we're helping you with," Culver said. "I'm very excited about what the future holds for you here locally."
The LEC project will bring construction jobs to the area when repairs begin in the basement, first and second floors of the Law Enforcement Center.
"Last year the board commissioned a study to assess, prioritize and recommend improvements to the law enforcement center to address safety, energy and maintenance fees," said John Haila, the project's architect, to Culver. "Once they completed it, the main challenge was determining how to pay for the identified projects. Shortly thereafter, you announced the I-JOBS program."
Out of the nearly $500 million dollars available, Webster County's LEC project was one of 1,500 across the state. The money will fund about half of the project's projected $4 million cost.
"The work includes maintaining county and city public safety through desperately needed renovation of the firing range downstairs and enhancing building security by installing new exterior door control systems and locks, reducing energy consumption by replacing 25-year-old-light fixtures attached to control systems, replacing severely deteriorated and leaking water and sewer piping, and addressing sorely needed maintenance on the outside of the building," Haila said.
Culver said that by investing in infrastructure improvements, like the LEC, local economies will be able to create more jobs in the future.
"With this 21st century law enforcement center, you will be making public safety a top priority," Culver said. "This is a short-term investment in a very important project that in the long term will allow you to create more jobs here because you'll have a more connected, more modern, better infrastructure."
"Again, I commend the local officials, architect, engineer and those who've been involved in the important I-JOBS project," Culver added. "You're taking a big step forward in flood preparedness and management because communication is key. To have the Law Enforcement Center up and running in the very near future will go a long way in allowing you to be more responsive, efficient and better connected in terms of dealing with public safety issues across the board, not just related to floods or tornadoes.
"So I do commend you for stepping up and making this decision," the governor said. "You have a lot of really good local projects, and I think you've made an excellent decision in moving forward on this one."
Contact Lindsey Mutchler at (515) 573-2141 or lindsey@messengernews.net
|
FDGolfer
|
|
|---|---|
|
03-08-10 1:05 PM
|
Well boat, the people don't read where you do. I drove by Diamond Jo Friday night and it was PACKED. Did not see an open parking spot. If I could only stopped and saved those helpless gamblers from themselves.
|
|
OldFoggy
|
|
|
03-06-10 8:34 PM
|
Culver is just telling us what we want to hear. Robbing from Peter to pay Paul does not create jobs. He has got to go, this is a last ditch effort on his part to try and get people to forget all his mistakes.
|
|
Anderson
|
|
|
03-06-10 11:31 AM
|
targae6: And why shouldn't Gowrie and Prairie View Golf & Grill and Marv's Bar & Grill have the benefit of a one-armed bandit or two and maybe a poker table, too? Only fair - and logical - by your line of reasoning.
|
|
target36
|
|
|
03-05-10 11:45 PM
|
*convinced
|
|
target36
|
|
|
03-05-10 11:44 PM
|
why shouldn't FD benefit from people who want to gamble? And besides the machines (that some are convince will take everyone's money), there are entertainers that perform in casinos and a restaurant that citizens can visit. NOT ALL BAD!!
|
|
Fairplay
|
|
|
03-05-10 10:08 PM
|
Basing your opinion on eight reviews from some hokey website would be akin to reading these blogs in search of anything more than comedic relief to life's challenges.
|
|
Bellagio
|
|
|
03-05-10 10:01 PM
|
Culver's good news would be his resignation but then we'd have his Lt. Governor. Lose lose. And I voted for him. The primary thing a casino will do in Fort Dodge is take the money of Webster county citizens and transfer much of it to a holding company outside the county or state. I hope I am wrong but Las Vegas is the one place where people obviously travel to spend money. It's a fun city. Local casinos are for gamblers not the sight seers like you see in Vegas. Local casinos all have one thing in common....a cheesy air of false gaiety. You will see a rise in domestic problems at the very minimum.
|
|
taxpayer34
|
|
|
03-05-10 6:01 PM
|
here is a sight that has reviews of iowa casinos. americancasinoguide**** scroll down and you will find one for diamond jo at northwood, ia. some positive some not.
|
|
Anderson
|
|
|
03-05-10 4:03 PM
|
All Iowa has been hurting for new business for decades, FDGolfer, and I HAVE suggested a better cure than turning Iowa into a poor man's Vegas, and that is a thorough property tax overhaul to level the playing field for all, not just to benefit Iowa/s cossetted landowners (whose snouts are already deep in the federal trough) and by eliminating all taxes on undivided business profits, including Iowa's punishing corporate income tax, all of which, in any case, must be reflected in the price of any good or service offered. If you don't believe it, look into the deal insurance companies got to stay in Iowa. Tax reform will bring a real economic renaissance of wealth producing, not consuming, businesses to Iowa. By the way, duhawk, an audit of gambling in AZ found 7 of 8 gamblers lived below the poverty level while taxpayers paid for their food stamps, Supplementary SS, medical care, etc., so others' gambling becomes everyone's business.
|
|
FDGolfer
|
|
|
03-05-10 3:07 PM
|
I am still waiting for alternative ideas with 350 jobs with an average of 37,400. If anyone can respond in an intelligent, rational manner I would love to hear it. Bring on them ideas.
|
|
Whatever
|
|
|
03-05-10 3:00 PM
|
taxpayer - I don't gamble. Never have and never will. I live in a beautiful house, have a great job, 2 cars, big family and money to pay my bills every month with a little left over. I have seen first hand what a casino can do for a town in need of money...and it can be quite amazing. You also spelled grammar wrong. fdeastsidr - your tax money will always go to programs to help those who are addicted to more than just gambling.
|
|
fyiguy1
|
|
|
03-05-10 1:51 PM
|
I don't sense negativity in the posts , more of a dose of reality.
|
|
FDGolfer
|
|
|
03-05-10 1:25 PM
|
Just plain wrong. Are you now saying people that go to a casino are'nt smart enough to stay away? Seriously?
|
|
FDGolfer
|
|
|
03-05-10 1:22 PM
|
So does'nt every other neighborhood corner bar and tobacco outlet. Buffets affect people with eating addictions. We cannot protect addicts from themselves at the cost of hundreds of jobs going down the road. That's is just not a sensible answer.
|
|
fdeastsidr
|
|
|
03-05-10 1:19 PM
|
duhawk.... you are correct. it is your own business to go gamble. I won't myself. Buttttt.... other people's gambling does bother me when they become addicted, and taxpayer $ goes to helping them with their addiction. MY taxpayer dollars. Even though we may never step foot in one.... a casino can affect me and all taxpayers.
|
|
Need6letters
|
|
|
03-05-10 12:49 PM
|
With the headline I thought it was Culver announcing that he was resigning.
|
|
Whatever
|
|
|
03-05-10 12:29 PM
|
taxpayer34 or should I say 0.....If you are going to respond to these posts than please try to do so in an intelligent manner. Right now it hurts my head to read such poorly written sentences. Honestly use your grammar and spelling skills, and you do remember how to capitalize and use punctuation...right?
|
|
duhawk
|
|
|
03-05-10 11:56 AM
|
If you don't beleave in gambling then dont go to the casino. But if I want to gamble then that is MY buissness. Take care of yourself and leave me alone.
|
|
branmuffin
|
|
|
03-05-10 11:22 AM
|
quitcomplaining says to Suzanne10 "Your negative attitude is exhausting and you bore me and everyone else with your ramblings." Speak for yourself, quit. I don't even remember any posts made by this person so I don't have any personal feelings one way or the other about them. You don't have any right to decide for others what is exausting & boring to them & speak for them. I'm still trying to sort the facts so speak for yourself & leave me out of it. You need to concern yourself with your own negative ramblings.
|
|
FDGolfer
|
|
|
03-05-10 10:55 AM
|
I said reasonable ideas, not ridiculious babble comparing drugs to a casino. It was a simple request. Reasonable, workable, comparable ideas. The challenge is still out.
|
|
taxpayer34
|
|
|
03-05-10 10:49 AM
|
we need to fill our state coffers so we can do all the things the state does.but four casinos won't solve the problem,will they? why don't we start selling crack and meth. maybe ****** too. we could legalize prostitution. traffic in ***********. just some ideas. i can think of more. maybe you can too! it brings money into the state. if thats are goal, then what is there that we won't do? lets gamble our way to prosperity.
|
|
threenotsoblindmice
|
|
|
03-05-10 10:39 AM
|
Anderson, I haven't had time to read them yet but there are a couple of articles today on k c c i dot com
|
|
FDGolfer
|
|
|
03-05-10 10:29 AM
|
Good ideas from the complainers: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Still Waiting........
|
|
quitcomplaining
|
|
|
03-05-10 10:03 AM
|
Suzanne10: Aren’t you the same person who became extremely upset with the newspaper a while ago because when they printed a story you disagreed with? You blogged back and forth about that story and you were the one who made it have a connection to a local church and tried to make people think there was a connection between the two, but you blamed that on the newspaper. Shame on you. You made yourself look like an ignorant fool! If I remember correctly, you were going to cancel your subscription then and vowed to never read any trash that the paper printed again. What a hypocrite. If you don’t want to read anything the newspaper prints – why are you reading it on-line? You preach about high morals and yet you are the sneak and a cheat who wants everything for free. You probably just didn’t want to pay for your subscription. Your negative attitude is exhausting and you bore me and everyone else with your ramblings.
|
|
justthinkin
|
|
|
03-05-10 9:42 AM
|
I sometimes wonder if all this negativity comes from local 'employERS' Are they afraid they will have to compete for employees by *gasp* offering benefits or a wage higher than minimum?? You know that will cut into their bottom line and they wont be able to show such a huge profit. When most of your full time employees qualify for benefits reserved for 'poverty level' folks What does that make these employers? part of the solution? or a contributing factor to the problem.
|