Voters within the City of Ironton face a number of potential tax issues in November when they head to the polls. But one could affect the city's future for decades - the Ironton floodwall fee.

Lots and lots of Ironton residents have been debating and fussing over whether the city taxpayers should pass a school bond levy to build new schools and whether the old high school should be torn down.

But none of that will matter if the schools are under water.

It will not matter if the schools are new, refurbished or left as is if the power of Mother Nature rears its head and floods the city.

Despite all of the emotion and worrying over the school issues, the floodwall levy is a much bigger issue.

As a river city, Ironton faces the constant game of "what ifs."

What if the torrential rains combined with a broken or damaged set of locks and dams cause the Ohio River to sprawl out of its banks?

What if through disrepair, the floodwalls that surround and protect Ironton fail?

What if the floodwaters reach much higher than the now infamous 1937 flood?

Lots of what ifs, all of which could have grave consequences.

Last year, the floodwall renewal tax levy went down in flames.

Why?

We're not sure, but we suspect it was the deadly combination of apathy and a lack of understanding.

The floodwall levy funded the city workers who must maintain the system of floodwalls and pumping stations. Somehow during the 2004 election, the city's voters just looked past the floodwall levy.

In reaction, the Ironton City Council hurriedly passed a $3 per month fee for residents in an attempt to generate some quick cash for the floodwall work.

The problem with across-the-board fees is that they are often just a compromise. In the case of the $3 fee, the wealthiest property owners get a break while the lower-end property owners pay more than they did when the tax levy was functioning.

Voting "yes" on the floodwall tax levy would result in the removal of the current $3 fee and the adoption of a more equitable system for having residents pay for the protection we all need.

The survival of the city and its residents should be our number one priority.

Our second priority should be planning and preparing so when disaster strikes - and it almost certainly will - we'll be as ready as we can be. Vote "yes" on the floodwall levy and rest a little better at night knowing you've done your part to help preserve the city.