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Let’s put ideas on the table

Although this month’s Minot City Council election has not been terribly contentious and in many (perhaps too many) instances, the difference is slight between candidates on issues, original ideas have emerged, even if they haven’t attracted much attention.

One interesting idea was quietly presented at the Minot Daily News candidates forum and then repeated in an article in yesterday’s edition of the newspaper profiling current alderman and council candidate David Shomento.

Shomento asserts that the phases of Minot flood protection currently in the works could be paid for in as few as seven years, saving taxpayers a considerable amount of money and leaving the city in better position to deal with the subsequent phases. As briefly outlined to Minot Daily News, the plan involves reallocation of existing revenue streams as well as seeking voter support for an additional tax with a sunset provision.

There is no question that paying for a project of this magnitude in a shorter period of time saves money. Whether or not the suggested plan, fully vetted, is practical and desirable are other issued entirely. Given city leadership’s concern about City of Minot debt, one would imagine that reducing liabilities is a front burner concern.

Minot Daily News does not endorse Shomento’s plan or even necessarily the vision for financing the project. However, Minot Daily News does strongly encourage City Manager Tom Berry, city staff and the next city council to at the very least consider all ideas presented, no matter how outside-the-box. Inside the box hasn’t historically led to public celebrations.

The public deserves a healthy marketplace of ideas, particularly when it comes to many people’s top concern.

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