The message came to the Emporia City Commission over and over again Thursday night -- keep costs down. But one thing the commissioners still want to hear is how.
"Last year, there was a lot of discussion about cutting some programs such as the taxi coupons or the animal shelter and that brought some fireworks," Commissioner Jim Kessler said to a group of about 18 people at the Mary Herbert Learning Center. "If anyone has any suggestions of things they think should be eliminated, we have e-mails. You can call the city. We need to know."
The question is at the heart of this year's budget season, which has city officials struggling with how to balance the books, particularly in the general fund. The current draft of the 2008 general fund is short by about $2.5 million, meaning that more has to be cut or more money has to be found.
City resident Carl Rolf said that with a new city manager on board, this could be an opportunity for Emporia's government to re-examine itself. Maybe there's a place where three jobs could be turned into two, he said, or where some old ways of doing business can be streamlined.
"My basic philosophy has always been that I'm willing to pay for service and will gladly pay for service -- if they're quality services and delivered effectively and efficiently," Rolf said. " ... We can't just do everything we've done in the past and throw more money at it."
He and others in the room said that taxes in Emporia had gotten too high. Harold Shaddix, who retired from Modine in 1990, said the taxes on his house had gone up by $13 a year from 1996 to 2001 -- but by $126 a year from 2001 to the present.
"That's almost $800 over six years," Shaddix said. "As people on a fixed income, I don't know how we're going to keep on paying it. ... I don't understand where it goes."
"Part of it may be the bond issue for the new schools," Mayor Julie Johnson said.
"I don't doubt it," Shaddix said. "And you may never see another bond issue because of it."
Commissioner Bobbie Agler didn't doubt that the tax bill had gone up, but noted that the city's levy had gone down by 1.1 mills over the last three years. That hasn't added up to savings for homeowners partly because there are two other taxing agencies in town -- the school district and the county -- and partly because property valuations have gone up. Those valuations are set by the county appraiser.
But while the city was keeping its tax rate down, it kept trying to maintain the same level of services. Walking that budget tightrope has had consequences: unfilled positions, postponed raises, low morale among city employees and a high level of indebtedness because so many projects were paid for by bonds.
"We can only control part of (the tax bill) and we may have controlled our part of it a little too much," Agler said. "It's come out and bitten us in the rear."
Zimmerman emphasized that the budget was about choices. In many cases, the city expects to subsidize certain departments. For example, the police department is hoping to spend about $4.6 million in 2008 but only expects to generate $59,800 in income through fines, fees and the like. Anything above that generally comes from taxes since a police force is a need.
Other choices may be more among the lines of wants, such as the money requested for the aquatic center ($97,403), the zoo ($391,523), the Emporia Municipal Band ($15,000) and many others.
"All of these are very valuable and valid expenses," Zimmerman said. "But there are expenses associated with them."
Rolf suggested that some money might be saved by doing less mowing at the golf course.
"I bet we could stop mowing 30 acres at a time and wouldn't notice it," he said. "It's not much in the face of $2.5 million, but you take a few thousand here and a few thousand there, and soon you're talking about real money."
He added that a larger lake at the golf course could also cut down on mowing and save the city money on water.
"We've talked about enlarging the pond," Assistant City Manager Mark McAnarney said. "We pay about $20,000 to $25,000 a year for water there and you're right --in about two years it could pay for itself."
One other expense that is not yet in the budget is a 5 percent reserve fund for emergencies. The commission wants it, but it would take around half a million dollars to get there.
The budget does include all of next year's capital improvement plan for purchasing and replacing equipment, but much of it may have to go by the wayside for lack of funds.
Others asked about some city projects that have been on the back burner, such as a tougher rental housing code or a "quiet zone" where passing trains wouldn't blast their horns. Recommendations on both are expected to come to the city in August.
"Has there been any discussion on privatization for mowing or things like that?" asked Christopher Rech, a member of the Area Planning Commission. "You could take bids on an annual basis and not have the overhead."
Zimmerman said that would probably be looked at late this year or early next year.
"I just have not had time to study that in the budget," he said.
Another public meeting on the budget will be held at 7 p.m. this coming Thursday at the Sacred Heart parish hall. Those wishing to contact commissioners or city staff in advance can find e-mail addresses at www.emporia.ws.
"We're looking for suggestions, ideas," Zimmerman said. "What do you want us to do?"
CONTACT INFORMATION
Mayor Julie Johnson -- julia.johnson@emporia-kansas.gov
Commissioner Bobbie Agler -- bagler@emporia-kansas.gov
Commissioner Jim Kessler -- jkessler@emporia-kansas.gov
Commissioner Jeff Longbine -- jlongbine@emporia-kansas.gov
Commissioner Kevin Nelson -- knelson@emporia-kansas.gov
westaber (anonymous) says...
Why don"t the epd start busting the drug dealers in this town and then maybe you can meet your budget?
July 20, 2007 at 1:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
poorandtired6 (anonymous) says...
I personallywould like to know if the previous $700,000.00 to almost $1,000,000.00 city fund short fall was an "Accident" or if the blaim lies with the previous City Manager because he was either absolutely inept or positively criminal in doing his job, furthermore I would like to know why anyone would hire another unproven City Manager at a higher rate of pay than the previous one, when no-one knows if the new City Manager is going to benefit the City of Emporia and its citizens, seems to me that a new City Manager should be on a probationary work period for a period of time at lower pay until he proves that he can benefit the City of Emporia and all its taxpayers and perform to everyones satisfaction! After-all in the real world when you are hired for a job you don't start at top pay, you start at base pay and work on a probationary basis for a certain length of time so your employer has to chance to judge how well you can perform the job.
Now as for how to balance the budget without putting an undue burden on the taxpayers, first you have to perform a study to see where money is wasted, for instance every time I see a watermain being repaired or most any city related repair being done by city employees there is usually a crowd of city employees at the repair sight and only 1,2, or 3 city employees doing the actual work and the rest are just standing around talking, joking or laughing and getting paid for doing nothing, now this is a perfect example of a tremendous waste of money.
second-I would venture to say that most City staff and administrators are way overpaid, if you would cut their wages by 10% so they would know how they would have to live on a budget in the real world then maybe you would have enough money to repair streets, buy needed equipment, etc. without putting an extra burden on the poor taxpayers of the City and County, by the way the County should take another look at how County administrative staff and employees are overpaid based on job performance and the same pay cut should apply to them as well.
July 20, 2007 at 7:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
daveedailey (anonymous) says...
Poorandtired6 you said it all. My hats off to you. I think all more investigation needs to be done. Think about the city buying new vehicles. Is there a conflict of interes here?
July 20, 2007 at 7:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Paccifier (anonymous) says...
Since you two know so much - were you at the meeting last night? Don't hide behind a lot of hot air excuses- just yes or no- I was there, and the Commissioners are asking for input- they want ideas, and they are listening- if you know so much, where were you? There will be another meeting next Thursday at Sacred Heart Parish Hall- I think if you bother to listen to what Mr. Zimmerman has done and is saying (and he is very good about not trying to be a star attraction), you'll find that we are lucky to have him- and we probably won't have him very long. And Dave- I thought you told us you never commented on purchase of city vehicles, even though you are right. As far as overpaid city employees- you could not be more wrong- you ought to study a little- we are actually loosing people to other cities/companies.
July 20, 2007 at 8:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Paccifier (anonymous) says...
Kstrebuchet- You are probably right about the courthouse, BUT, I think that I would worry about having county employees in the courthouse do the pest control- Given the nature of OSHA/EPA/and however other initials apply, by the time we had everyone, or even one person, trained in all the requirements to use pest killers, we couldn't afford the employee, and after tax dollars did the training- somebody else would hire them away- fully trained. Contract services BY BID, would seem the best way. If you look at almost all the city staffers cars, including Fire Department, they are retired city police cars- as are many cars in the county lots- retired from the sheriff's dept. They are trying to keep running the cars at least.
July 20, 2007 at 9:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
daveedailey (anonymous) says...
Paccifier, I was there and not hiding behind a fake name. I personally got nothing productive out of the meeting.
July 20, 2007 at 11:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Paccifier (anonymous) says...
Some county cars are- obviously not the Jeep Cherokee- and not all those cars are the appraisers office. And the cert for pest control is exterior (outdoor) use I was told, which is not the same as indoor environmental, so someone can make money teaching the same thing twice (probably the guy who wrote the rules and then retired). Now, the big question- how come you are worrying about a county question when this is about city budget issues- It always makes me wonder when we have a problem like the city budget at hand, people talk about the courthouse, and the county road budget and county equipment, and things that they can do nothing about like the clock, or past city managers. Granted, city, county and USD budgets go into our taxes, but again, it is the City Commission that is asking for recommendations from the public. Were you at the Thursday meeting?- Are you going to the meeting next Thursday? 7 PM Sacred Heart Catholic Church Parish Hall. The City Commission is having evening meetings to make this easier to let people come in and comment and ask questions- you have the chance to be there- As far as the County Commission budget goes- I hope they do the same thing - but it only works if you show up and say something, rather than just talking on here. So, Daveedailey and you should have front row seats- here is your chance to help fix it- They are there to listen- and they will do that- there are some tough decisions that need to be made, and you can have your say- right there.
July 20, 2007 at 11:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
daveedailey (anonymous) says...
Oh, also paccifer, why do you not go back and read the post about vehicles. You are apparently upset because I said vehicles are cheaper in Oklahoma than Emporia!!!!!!!!!!!!!! As a matter of fact I said $3 to $5,000 cheaper. Put that in your pipe and smoke it. Kstrebuchet is correct and is honest about what he/she says. Face facts. If you do not like the heat get out of Emporia!
July 20, 2007 at 11:19 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
daveedailey (anonymous) says...
Kstrebuchet, I know of one that is because he gave himself away without realizing. Guess who. By the way Kstre I love what you post with such honesty.
July 20, 2007 at 11:50 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Paccifier (anonymous) says...
Oh Dave...it's so nice to hear from you. It does not upset me that cars are cheaper anywhere- It would be nice if the city bought through the KHP for cheaper rates, but you have such a double standard about saying in the past that you never wrote about the city and vehicle purchasing, when you did, and here you are talking about it again, You just said up top that there is a suspision of conflict of interest in buying city cars,(maybe so) so you have said more than just talking about prices in Oklahoma haven't you? Just within this thread you have said more than the Okla reference. You got caught in some of this a couple weeks ago when your past posts about what you "never said" got brought up - I have no intentions of leaving this town- it is no better or worse really than any other town. Granted, I do not like the changes that have happened here over the years, but, in the long run you can find fault anywhere when you look enough. but you have been saying for some time that you are going to leave- SOOOOO- how soon? I would think that if things were so bad for you you would edge down the price of your home (you did say you were selling didn't you?) to make it more attractive to buyers so you could be rid of us sooner. And again- were you at the meeting?? or can't you face the heat of being out from behind the computer key board? I hope that you are at the meeting Thursday at 7- Sacred Heart Parish Hall- or can't you take the heat of public light? I can't be there next Thursday, which is why I went this week. And by the way- I do smoke a pipe- but I pick what goes in it, and I pay for it myself.
July 20, 2007 at 12:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
daveedailey (anonymous) says...
Uhm, wonder why talking about vehicles upsets you so much. I am gone for the weekend. Have a very pleasant day!!!!
July 20, 2007 at 12:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Paccifier (anonymous) says...
Ahh, a true love fest- I do hope you go to the meeting, and we need to remember that the pool is a rec commision issue in reality- so funds for that come from city and school district- It would be nice to find ways to better market the entire thing- even if we could get kids bussed out there - L-CAT or the USD buses, and up the user revenue- which would be better in the long run. I always thought that was one of the worst locations that thing could have been dropped onto- A more central location would have been better, but it is there and we're left with that - Voters refused the issue for funding, then the former City Manager got the private foundation funding for it once he couldn't take our tax money for the thing. I don't play golf- so it matters little to me- except it costs money to subsidise the thing- there is no time in a year to chase a little ball I can barely see-- Mow less, one proposal is a wider cutting mower- faster, fewer people- but more up front cost- Lease out the operation of the course to see if it could make it on its own. Maybe Lease/hire out all the city mowing- that was brought up Thursday night, but the new city manager has not had time to look into that but may. You can complain all you want- but the city is looking for ways to really cut the budget- What is your favorite non-essential city service- and will you be willing to cut it? City Band, Rec Commission Budget (maybe cut the subsidy to disadvantaged kids, or eliminate a few ball diamonds) Cut the Arts Council Building, We all have to be willing to pay more, or do without- has to be-So, I hope to read a glowing report about your suggestions at the Thursday night meeting when I get back after the weekend trip I have to take- So, anyone want to take a shot at $3.12 gas here and $2.88 gas in Topeka?
July 20, 2007 at 12:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Paccifier (anonymous) says...
Kstrebuchet- are you launching things at people- not trying to get off subject with Dave- but he does have this thing about cars in Oklahoma and cars he never talked about, and we go at that a bit now and then. He has his honest views as we all do. But, if you look at what he didn't bring up- there is merit there- just how do we bid police cars- is there a better way available? No one asks. How much did that firefighter 101 class that was put on a couple weeks ago cost, and who paid for that? I'm sure it was fun, but was it necessary? I do not think the participants paid for it.
July 20, 2007 at 3:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Doug (anonymous) says...
Paccifier, I've been reading these for some time now and I think proper etiquette is to end your posting with LMAOOOO
July 20, 2007 at 5 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
emporian (anonymous) says...
Turn trash service over to a private entity like waste management. Typically the first things to go are public safety Police and Fire. Both departments in Emporia have trouble recruiting due to low pay and both are low as far as manpower and funding is concerned.
How many new street sweepers and trash trucks do we really need? This city tries to act like it is a big city the way it hands money over. Every Tom, Dick and Harry that comes and asks for money it seems gets it. Do we really need a dog park. The problem is 30 people show up at a meeting and complain and it keeps its funding whether it is good for the other 28,970 people or not
July 22, 2007 at 1:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
emporian (anonymous) says...
The firefighter 101 class was paid for by the IAFF. No cost to the city whatsoever. People dont understand what firefighters do, and now at least one more person has an idea what it takes to do the job.
July 22, 2007 at 1:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ksfarmer (anonymous) says...
emporian , Dryer park is used more now than it ever was yet the city still maintained it (mowing). Fencing for the dog park was paid for by donations.
July 22, 2007 at 11:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
daveedailey (anonymous) says...
The way I see this, is no matter what you all say or do, taxes will increase. It is inevitable with what is going on here. The only way, maybe to accomplish something is to gather all of the poor and fixed income population in Emporia to speak out. That would be almost impossible because they do not have the means or the money to even attend any meeting. I have seriously thought to figure out how to get a group to the next meeting. How are these people supposed to live? Give up more medications, give up supplement to their medicare, give up telephone, water, etc? If utilities go up, then the rent goes up. Taxes go up, the rent goes up. Where does this stop for the fixed income person? Also, remember that if taxes, trash or whatever goes up there will be less big purchases bought such as homes, vehicles, etc. There will be less items all the way around not only for the fixed income but also the average Joe.
July 23, 2007 at 8:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
daveedailey (anonymous) says...
To Doug, love ya!!! I think you have caught on to what is going on here.
July 23, 2007 at 8:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
netloafer (anonymous) says...
The tax increase is also going to hit small businesses that do not have the benefit of tax breaks. That means that they'll have to sell more meals, widgets, trinkets, books, etc just to pay for the increase in taxes.
While I understand the felt need the city, county, and possibly the school board have to increase revenue, I also believe that they're looking at things in a very shortsighted way. Increasing taxes is actually going to decrease revenues in the long term. The reasons seem obvious to me. People will have less disposable income, many who can afford to leave Emporia have left and more will. They are going to be replaced by people making lower incomes as the manufacturing businesses who thrive on low wage jobs hire low wage workers to replace them. The history of the past ten years have shown this to be true. Household incomes are down, poverty rates are very high, and population is in decline.
Can these trends be reversed? I honestly don't know.
July 23, 2007 at 9:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wookdog13 (anonymous) says...
Netloafer, I agree 100%. Where it ends is to be seen. The poor do not have the money, the fixed income will do without more things, the average joe (in Emporia is low class now) will no longer make purchases of unnecessary items.(an occassional show or dinner out) Vehicle purchase will be down because they can not afford payments and most places that do vehicle repair will allow small payments. I fore see more houses than ever on the market, more bank foreclosures, more repossessed vehicles, more people suffering because they cannot afford heat or water or medications. I believe that the people running this town do want to run more people off and try and make it an upper class fake town.
July 23, 2007 at 9:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
netloafer (anonymous) says...
I was out and about yesterday and noticed more houses for sale than I've ever seen in Emporia. The for sale signs are everywhere.
I'm also seeing more and more payday loan shops. Even the pawn shops are getting into this business. It's becoming one of Emporia's cottage industries.
July 23, 2007 at 9:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dayjob55 (anonymous) says...
I'd personally like the Gazette to run a section once a week with all of these posts. How many people out there know that this part of the Gazette's web site exists but can't access it because they don't have internet at home? And don't tell me that everyone has it at home because I know way too many people that have to go to the library or other places to use the internet. Their time is limited in places like that so one of the last things they do is look for posts from the Gazette's site. I personally love the give and take, the exchange of ideas, etc. that goes on here. If every reader of the Gazette had the opportunity to read all of these more people might be more vocal on tax issues, etc. I really thought that I was one of very few who thought we were taxed to death until I stumbled onto this forum. How many seniors out there feel the same way I do but have no way to voice their opinion? They don't want to go out at night, can't find a convenient parking place because they have to walk to far (due to health issue), feel like no one cares, etc? If they didn't feel so alone they might also speak out. The Gazette printed a lot of posts regarding the TB issue at Tyson once and it got a lot of buzz going all over town. They can put out a "health" issue, a "living" issue, a "senior lifestyle" issue, etc. so why don't they put out a "people speak" issue weekly. I'm sure a lot of people would dump their advertising dollars into something like that.
July 23, 2007 at 4:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )