Paying for parks

Cape Girardeau's service clubs and recreational leagues have been vital to the city's park system. Perhaps too vital.

Residents of the city pay $1.2 million in taxes every year to the parks division. None of that money is budgeted for new equipment like new swing sets or shelters. It all goes to upkeep. Instead, service clubs and parents have shouldered the responsibility of new capital improvements. The gifts are appreciated and welcome. But the city ought to have some room in its budget for new equipment. The fact that it has none is one reason we ought to take city leaders seriously as they work on a tax proposal to improve our parks.

A half-cent sales tax that would fund $32 million in park and storm-water projects is a lot to ask from voters. The city has a big job convincing voters taxes need to be boosted that much.

Seeking a balance between donations and taxation will require sharing as many facts as possible about the city's parks. That information will need to be thoroughly discussed, giving every taxpayer -- not just those who support parks improvements -- and opportunity to be heard.