It has been reported that Marshalltown has around $18 million in unspent bond money.

That means the city overtaxed us by $18M dollars over a period of time. We all know, and anyone visiting knows Marshalltown has an extremely serious street problem on the north side of town. And I believe 100% of that $18M should be spent on streets. Starting on streets north of State Street between 3rd Ave and 2nd St before they all need very costly full-depth replacement. Some already do.

The residential properties along the streets mentioned above have been paying property taxes longer than most any others in town, for well over 100 years as they are some of the oldest. Yet they have the worst streets. So for that reason, these properties deserve to have this money used to improve the streets and neighborhoods around them. And it is fact that many homes on these streets, shake from school buses, dump trucks, and anything pulling a trailer because the streets are that bad. North 2nd St between State St. and Lincoln St. for example, has needed a full-depth replacement for 15 years. I believe it is the worst street in town. Take my word for it, don’t drive on it unless you live there and have to.

Now is the chance for the city to start focusing on these oldest streets with this unspent $18M. Maintaining and repairing our oldest residential streets needs to be the top priority for this money. People are hesitant to put money into upgrades or remodels to a residential home north of State Street when the street is decimated because the city won’t repair or maintain it. Get these street repairs started and the blacktop machines rolling next spring with the unspent $18M. Repair and blacktop these streets on the north side until the $18M runs out. Making these neighborhoods nice again starts with nice streets. It’s a no brainer. Make it happen city council. And please, don’t spend any of this money on pet projects, rainbows or butterflies.