MEMBERS PRESENT: Regular meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by President Debbie Dayman. Members present: Barsness, Dayman, Kaminski, Messman, OíHara, Paulsen and Schurr. Absent: None. Also present: Jim Spelhaug, Cyndy Behrer, Mike Clingingsmith, Chris Harvey, Senator Maggie Tinsman, Joanne Noble, Steve Grimes, Larry Makoben, Stu Smith, and Len Adams.

AGENDA APPROVED: Motion by OíHara, second by Schurr that the Agenda be approved as presented. All ayes. Motion carried.

Unofficial Minutes of the July 11, 2005, Regular Meeting Of the Board of Education (Pending Board Approval)

The Board of Directors of the Bettendorf Community School District, in the County of Scott, State of Iowa, met in open session according to Iowa law for their regular Board meeting at Ray Stensvad Administration Center, 3311 Central Avenue, Bettendorf, Iowa, on July 11, 2005. President Anderson called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. and the Board recited the Pledge of Allegiance. Colleen Skolrood, Board Secretary, verified that the meeting notice had been posted and mailed to the media as required by law. Members present: Directors Anderson, Castro, Ehrmann, Luton, Mayer, Weigle. Members absent: Director Crockett. Other officials present: Marty Lucas, Superintendent; Maxine McEnany, Director of Business & Financial Services; Celeste Reuter, Director of Communications; Joe Slavens, Board Treasurer; and Colleen Skolrood, Board Secretary.Motion by Director Castro, seconded by Director Mayer, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried 6-0-1.

The hot, dry weather through much of June and July has left gardens, lawns and golf courses parched. Only regularly watering has kept the Palmer Hills Golf Course fairways green. The high temperatures and lack of rain are predicted to continue, worsening the local corn and soybean crops.

Last monthís receipts, which ended fiscal year 2005, showed a large increase of $43.5 million compared to June 2004. In total, fiscal year 2005 receipts exceeded the Revenue Estimating Conferenceís (REC) estimate by nearly $78 million. In April 2005, the REC estimated that FY 2005 would see an increase of $214.6 million, or 4.1 percent growth, in state receipts. Actual year-to-date revenues have increased by 6.8 percent, or $311.7 million, as compared to FY 2004. The final numbers on FY 2005 will not be in until the books are closed late September, but unlike other years the stateís budget has some wiggle room for the unexpected.

Gross personal income tax revenues received in June totaled $216 million, an increase of $12.4 million, (6.1 percent) compared to June 2004. For the fiscal year, income tax receipts increased by 7.3 percent. The REC estimated a 6.1 percent growth in personal income tax for FY 2005. Withholding receipts in June dropped for the second time. May and June withholding receipts decreased $27.4 million (-7.2 percent). This is the only troubling spot in the sea of good news. Changes in the withholding tables implemented in April are expected to reduce tax revenues, but this drop exceeds the projected impact of the table changes. This will be something to watch for in the coming fiscal year.

Sales tax revenues received in June totaled $151.6 million, an increase of $24.6 million (19.4 percent) compared to June 2004. Juneís increase compensates for a drop in May due to a large amount of receipts received in May and not deposited until June. For the fiscal year, sales tax receipts increased by 4.6 percent. The REC estimated an increase in sale tax receipts of 3.8 percent for FY 2005.

Corporate income tax receipts in June totaled $44 million, an increase of $4.7 million (12.0 percent) compared to June 2004. For the fiscal year, corporate income tax receipts increased by 19.6 percent. The REC estimate equals an increase of 8.2 percent for FY 2005.

Finally, other tax receipts in June totaled $63.4 million, a decrease of $9.4 million (-12.9 percent) compared to June 2004. For the fiscal year, other tax receipts decreased by 3.0 percent. The REC estimated a decrease of other tax receipts of 3.7 percent for FY 2005.

Tax refunds paid from July 1, 2004 through June 30, 2005 totaled $702.9 million, a decrease of $0.6 million (- 0.1 percent) compared to the previous year. Refunds issued during the cash year were approximately $18.0 million higher than projected by the REC.

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View a map of single family homes and condominiums under construction in Bettendorf. Click a marker on the map for the address and builder at each location. The map also has a satellite view. The map is interactive by using the controls on the left, or by clicking and dragging the map. Zoom in for a better view.


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Construction has begun on a new, larger Goodwill Store at Cumberland Square Shopping Center, Bettendorf. The new store will be on the north side of the existing shopping strip and will replace the existing Goodwill store at Cumberland. A second strip mall of 7,200 square feet also has been approved for construction just north of Cumberland Square for office and retail use. A similar retail building was completed along 18th Street last year and now is occupied by a Chinese restaurant, a meat market and a chiropractic office. After years of sitting vacant, the tract of property on the north side of Cumberland Square will be nearly fully developed with completion of the two new buildings.

Light rain and a cool breeze greeted this year's July 4th parade through downtown Bettendorf. Despite the wet weather, children lined the parade route on State and Grant Streets to catch candy from the passing floats and politicians. Below, the Bettendorf High School cheerleaders perform along the parade route. For additional parade photos, click on the "Read More" link below.

Bettendorf-Pleasant Valley girls softball teams square off Thursday evening at Crow Creek Park. Area diamonds are busy places as teams and parents enjoy the summer leagues. Team all-star games in most of the youth leagues are scheduled during the coming July 4th weekend.

The new marina next to the Isle of Capri casino opened for business last year, and boaters have begun to make use of the seasonal slips. The marina dock also is where the Channel Cat Water Taxi now stops in Bettendorf on its regular route between Davenport, Moline and East Moline. In the distance on the Illinois shore is the KONE Elevator Company's testing facility and at right is the Iowa-Illinois Memorial Bridge, more commonly known today as the I-74 Bridge between Bettendorf and Moline.