Mayors tout progress, projects, tax frustrations

The mayors of five Quad Cities communities gathered Friday morning, Feb. 10, to highlight projects and progress made in their cities, and voice some frustrations with Iowa lawmakers over tax issues. At the Quad Cities Mayors Breakfast, hosted by the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce at the Rhythm City Casino, Davenport, the top themes emerging […]

The mayors of five Quad Cities communities gathered Friday morning, Feb. 10, to highlight projects and progress made in their cities, and voice some frustrations with Iowa lawmakers over tax issues. At the Quad Cities Mayors Breakfast, hosted by the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce at the Rhythm City Casino, Davenport, the top themes emerging included: 

• The mayors are constantly working together because good economic news in one city usually means good news for all area communities.
• All area cities have projects and economic development deals in the works.
• Some mayors – especially Davenport and Bettendorf mayors – voiced concerns and frustrations with Iowa lawmakers over an issue referred to as a tax rollback.

A rollback is an adjustment the state makes to limit increases in the aggregate taxable value of Iowa residential property. It limits how much property tax costs can rise in a given year. Currently, Iowa lawmakers are working under a deadline to fix a state error that's left property taxpayers on the hook for higher bills than expected. The remedy could leave cities and counties scrambling to make up a budget shortfall. And that could create big budget headaches for Davenport Mayor Mike Matson and Bettendorf Mayor Bob Gallagher. Those state-level budget rollbacks could cost Bettendorf at least $912,000 in its general fund, and Davenport $1.7 million in the general fund. “That $1.7 million is 15 jobs. … I told (state lawmakers) that we’re not asking you to raise taxes, but let us help you solve this,” said Mr. Matson. Mr. Gallagher added that during meetings with state lawmakers on the tax issue, he was pleased they were honest with him. But he is still concerned with the “outcome to our budget.” He said the current estimated $912,000 hit to the Bettendorf general fund might turn into much more money.

East Moline Mayor Reggie Freeman said he has sympathy with his Iowa counterparts dealing with state-level issues, because as an Illinois mayor and resident: “We’ve been dealing with this sh— for a long time.” In addition to the Davenport, Bettendorf and East Moline mayors, Friday’s event featured Moline Mayor Sangeetha Rayapati and Rock Island Mayor Mike Thoms. Rhonda Ludwig, the chamber’s director of government affairs, was the moderator. Much of the hour-long breakfast meeting, though, centered on the mayors giving updates on projects and progress made in their communities. For instance, Mr. Freeman said much of the progress in East Moline is “revolving around The Bend” with hotel projects and more development. He also touted improvements made to area streets, bike paths and businesses. In Moline, Ms. Rayapati said: “We feel like we have been going at warp speed” with many projects. One of the big projects in the works is the BridgePointe 485 project. In September, the city announced it is buying that building at 1 Montgomery Drive and seven acres of downtown property near the new I-74 bridge. The property will likely be used for future riverfront development that could include a mixture of commercial, recreational and residents projects. Mr. Thoms pointed out progress in Rock Island, such as working together with many groups to establish an emergency communications system; doing infrastructure work for the Rock Island Arsenal; the opening of a combined Two Rivers YMCA-Rock Island Branch and the Rock Island Public Library Watts-Midtown Branch in one building at 2715 30th St.; downtown work with new street lights, new sidewalks, more trees and helping businesses thrive. “If you haven’t been downtown lately, the landscape has changed,” he added. Mr. Gallagher said Bettendorf continues to see great progress in new homes and businesses. He added that the city has helped restaurants change with the times by assisting with drive-through features on the businesses. Mr. Matson said one of Davenport’s top goals is to have projects shovel ready for businesses, and provide a friendly, welcoming environment for companies looking to relocate in the city. He gave the example of the Fair Oaks project – a new $134 million, 150,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art fully-cooked bacon production facility being built at 2951 Enterprise Way. The mayor said that Fair Oaks officials looked at 125 possible locations for a new plant before deciding to make Davenport their business home. “They said ‘We are going to Davenport because you are friendly to businesses,’” Mr. Matson said. The mayors also took a few questions from the audience. Some of the issues brought up and responses include:

• Efforts to build more housing in the region:  Mr. Matson said Davenport is making great strides in that area and pointed to the ongoing Federal Point apartment project. Federal Point will be a four-story, 185-unit development – being built west of the new R. Richard Bittner YMCA, located at 450 LeClaire St. All the units will be reserved for people who earn at or below 60% of the area median income. The $35 million project is scheduled for completion at the end of the year. Ms. Rayapati  said it is important for Moline to partner with developers in an effort to turn more old buildings in the community into new apartments.
• Childcare issues:  Dave Herrell, president and CEO of Visit Quad Cities, asked about efforts to create more childcare options in the region. He pointed out that the lack of childcare has hindered some people from returning to the workforce. Ms. Rayapati  said Moline has spent $500,000 to help create jobs in childcare and open up more than 250 additional childcare slots in Moline. Mr. Thoms said the new YWCA in Rock Island will bring new child daycare opportunities, and Mr. Freeman said East Moline is working with Project NOW to create more childcare options.
• Regional priorities – Quad Cities Chamber CEO LaDrina Wilson asked about regional priorities. Mr. Matson said that he recently met with the four U.S. senators from Iowa and Illinois in an effort to improve and better coordinate public safety in the region.

The Friday morning event was part of the Quad Cities Chamber 2023 Legislative Event Series. The sponsor was Mediacom Business.