Storm-water plan

A recent review of storm-water-related concerns in Cape Girardeau came down to this conclusion: It would cost nearly $5 million to complete 20 projects that would ease most of the flooding during heavy rains, and the city doesn't have the money.

Last year was one of the wettest ever in Cape Girardeau. Thanks to continuing development of new shopping and residential areas, the potential for flash flooding is growing every year.

Although no mention of a tax increase has been made yet, it appears that the city's overall cure for its storm-water problems would hinge on finding a source of revenue to pay the projects.

City voters rejected a storm-water fee in April 2003. That issue shared the ballot with three other city tax increases: a quarter-cent sales tax for the fire department, a 10-cent property tax for Show Me Center bonds and a 2 percent use tax on out-of-state and Internet purchases.

If city officials are thinking about asking the voters again to approve funding for storm-water projects, it needs to present a lot more information. For example, of the 20 identified projects, which have the highest priority?

Moreover, storm-water issues need to have some prominence in the city's current master-plan update and its wish list for capital-improvement projects. For example, what changes are being proposed in the master plan regarding how future development can be regulated to minimize the impact on flooding? Which of the storm-water project are included in the city's newest five-year list of capital improvements?

Many voters might be more willing to put up with the temporary inconvenience of street flooding and other storm-water-related problems unless there is a clear-cut plan for dealing with those issues that sounds better than the aftermath of a heavy rainstorm.