Lyon County commissioners spent a majority of Wednesday’s meeting engaged in budget requests as the 2008 budgeting process marches forward.
Kayla Oney, executive director of Emporia Main Street, asked for $5,000 in funding, which is $3,000 more than the organization received last year. Oney said the extra money would supplement the community development group.
“Basically it’s to foster any development downtown and really try to focus on creating and upping the 24-hour traffic downtown to make it a place to live, work and play,” she said.
Oney said the goal is to keep downtown Emporia viable.
Matt Horton of the Lyon County Extension Office presented a budget request of $225,508 for 2008.
“That is with nothing down for equipment,” Horton said. “That is true operating money.”
Horton said there are a lot of things still up in the air including moving expenses. The extension office will be moving into the former Deer Trail building later this year.
“There’s a lot of unknowns and we try to figure to the best of our abilities,” he said.
Mike McEchron of Corner House thanked commissioners for Lyon County’s contribution to the building fund. The $3,700 contribution was from the Special Alcohol Fund, which was specified to be used for alcohol and drug treatment.
“We’re very grateful,” he said.
McEchron also talked about Corner House’s 2008 budget request. The request for 2008 is $6,000, which is a slight increase from the previous years.
Not all funding requests Wednesday were related to the 2008 budget. Jill Wheeler of Plumb Place asked commissioners to approve a $4,000 appropriation for an in-house training and education center.
“By having an in-house training and education center we can do personal literacy classes, resume preparation, job preparedness ... whatever the residents are interested in,” Wheeler said.
Wheeler said many of the women who come to Plumb Place are in a rut and have no budgeting or money- management skills. For the program, Wheeler said, she needs computers, printers and other equipment.
“I can find them the classes that will help them become productive citizens of Emporia,” Wheeler said.