CEDAR RAPIDS — As a City Council member in 2011, Don Karr slandered a local homebuilder during a vigorous council debate on the construction of pier-built homes, a Linn County District Court jury decided late Friday afternoon.The verdict in the weeklong civil trial awarded builder David Stutzman $140,000 in total damages -- $50,000 for damage to reputation, $40,000 for loss of income and $50,000 for emotional distress.Mayor Ron Corbett said last night the city represented Karr at the trial because Karr’s comments came at a City Council meeting, and the city taxpayers will pay the $140,000 slander award, the mayor said.“As far as what does this mean for public debate and public discourse, I think elected officials most of the time are pretty guarded about what they say,” Corbett said.