Parks tax could be on Feb. ballot

On Monday, Mike Keefe was optimistic about getting a half-cent tax increase on November's ballot.

He changed his mind Tuesday.

Keefe, chairman of Cape Girardeau's parks and recreations advisory board, says there's not enough time to gather all the information the city council requested to meet an election deadline.

City attorney Eric Cunningham told the council Monday the latest date for voting to put the tax on the ballot would be at its July 23 meeting. The council would need to approve an ordinance at two readings before the Aug. 28 deadline for November's election.

Keefe is not giving up the quest to ask residents for an estimated $36.9 million for municipal improvements.

"If we don't get it on the November ballot, I'm going to try to get it on the February ballot," Keefe said. He plans to discuss details at next Monday's advisory board meeting.

Keefe and Dan Muser, the city's parks and recreation director, were peppered with questions during city council's study session Monday. Mayor Jay Knudtson and council members John Voss, Marcia Ritter and Loretta Schneider wanted to know project details -- many questions centered on the location and design of a proposed aquatic center. All the elected officials asked how improvements would be prioritized.

Muser said some plans were vague because they originated as long as five years ago.

"Basically we're in a stage right now where we're trying to determine where the council as a whole is going to be comfortable," he said. "They gave us direction."

He said Tuesday the phrase "family aquatic center" is being perceived as a commercial-style water park, but plans call for a small facility. Muser and Keefe said they will return to the city council with specific information on what would make up an aquatic center and where it would be built; what percentage of dedicated taxes would be used for operational costs; and whether the tax could be lower or limited to five or 10 years.

"Nobody wants more taxes, but at the same time, what are you willing to pay for?" Muser said Tuesday.

On average, 3,000 people use Cape Girardeau's parks daily; city pools draw 100,000 visitors each year. Muser added that 10 percent of the city's 35,000 residents use the park system, more people, he said, than the police or fire department see daily.

City manager Doug Leslie said, "We are blessed with an abundance of parks, but there's always something that needs to be fixed. We're not saying it can't happen. They have to be able to answer the questions."

Cape Girardeau's parks and recreation advisory board meets at 5 p.m. Monday in city council chambers. Keefe said he would like to hear from as many residents as possible at that meeting.

pmcnichol@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 127