Bettplex sports complex developers Doug Kratz and Kevin Koellner are among a dozen individuals and companies funding the political action committee pushing for voter approval of the $27-million referendum for a new police station.
The political action committee – Yes for Public Safety – has raised just over $52,000 to date while spending more than $48,000 on postcard mailings and signs.
In addition, the city has spent more than $30,000 on an "informational newsletter" and postcards mailings to residents.
Most of the contributions were made in August and reported to the state Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board in recent weeks. A more up to date list of contributors and expenditures is expected to be filed Friday (10/31), five days before the Nov. 4 referendum vote.
Estes Construction – the company awarded the contract to build the new police station if the referendum passes – contributed $2,500 to the vote "yes" group, while company president Kent Pilcher donated $2,500 to the campaign. (The referendum committee has refunded the Estes contribution – See most recent article on the political action committee reports here.)
Kratz, the original developer of the main sports complex at Middle and Forest Gove Roads, donated $5,000 to the group. A company controlled by Koellner, who has developed numerous commercial properties adjacent to the sports complex, donated $5,000.
The Nov. 4 referendum needs approval by 60 percent of voters because the new station is not deemed for "essential corporate purposes" under state law.
Others companies contributing to the vote "yes" campaign included: Advance Homes, Inc. ($5,000); Aspen Homes, LLC ($1,666); Windmiller Development, LLC ($834); Twin State, Inc. ($5,000); IMEG Consultants Group ($5,000); Isle of Capri Casino ($5,000); Quad City Bank & Trust ($5,000); Ascentra Credit Union ($5,000); and RILCO, Inc. ($5,000).
