Parks tax discussed at First Friday coffee

The Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce First Friday coffee went off without a hitch after being delayed by snow Feb. 1.

Danny Essner, chairman of the city of Cape Girardeau's parks and recreation advisory board, presented the slide and video show promoting a half-cent sales tax initiative. The 10-year, half-cent parks and storm water retail sales tax is on the city's April 8 ballot.

"This was our fourth presentation this week," said Brock Davis, parks division manager for the city. Essner and Dan Muser, the city's parks and recreation director, answered questions from the audience.

Afterward, Muser said the most common question from every group is, "If the tax passes, how soon can the work start?"

City manager Doug Leslie said the questions from business leaders were similar to those from any cross-section of residents.

"I hear similar questions at each presentation. They were all pretty indicative of folks that have a business interest and many have children, which gives them a different perspective," he said. "I think the business community saw it as an investment."

Muser said the work, which would begin in the fall if the tax is approved, would be funded by $25 million in city-issued bonds which the tax would repay over 10 years. In addition to sweeping upgrades to parks, the city's golf course and pool facilities, $3 million of the funds would be devoted to storm-water abatement.

Holly Lintner, director of development for United Way of Southeast Missouri, said the presentation convinced her the tax would improve the quality of life at little cost.

pmcnichol@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 127