Emporia and Lyon County commissioners seemed a bit fatigued at their joint luncheon meeting Wednesday in the jury room of the courthouse.
Both groups and staff members went through a tough budget cycle over the summer and already they were turning their thoughts to a possible funding source — increasing sales taxes. The idea had been voiced by residents who attended informational meetings about the city and county’s finances.
But this group of leaders plans to go slowly and wants to begin by organizing a study group to take a long, hard look at the question that ultimately would require voter approval. Commissioners leaned toward a study group separate from one looking at consolidating the city and county’s law enforcement agencies or one that helped win a new ambulance contract for the city.
“I don’t see a task force responsible to make recommendations but one that would just gather information,” said city commissioner Jim Kessler.
City manager Matt Zimmerman said officials first need to determine who should be on the sales tax study group, what cities need to be represented and how city and county officials would like it to move forward.
County commissioner Marshall Miller said it looked like the new courthouse could be paid off in 3.5 to 5 years, freeing up the 1/2 cent sales tax that is helping pay for the new structure.
Emporia mayor Julie Johnson said officials need to look at the “pros and cons” of sales taxes versus other kinds of taxes to raise funds.
“Some see (sales taxes) as a regressive way to go,” she said.
Emporia and Lyon County sales tax rates — currently 5.8 percent in the county and 6.8 percent in Emporia — are considered low.
Nine cities closest to Emporia in population all charge consumers more, ranging from 7.3 percent in Pittsburg and Newton (both with fewer than 20,000 people) to Leawood’s 7.9 percent for its nearly 31,000 residents.
Lyon County’s sales tax rates, at 5.8 percent, are just slightly above the state minimum of 5.3 percent.
Sales taxes are the largest single revenue source for state and local governments in Kansas.
admireed (anonymous) says...
"Freeing up a 1/2 cent sales tax" in 3.5 to 5 years? Great! Let it die as it served the purpose for which it was voted. Build a courthouse.
September 27, 2007 at 1:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Bigearl2 (anonymous) says...
25 Million dollar Court House for a county of 35,000 people
! Good use of our TAX MONEY ! Should have increased the Police salary and gave them better insurance coverage or could have done something for the Youth of Emporia.
September 28, 2007 at 9:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
admireed (anonymous) says...
How about just keeping it in the taxpayers pocket
September 28, 2007 at 1:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
suzyQ (anonymous) says...
Emporia keeps getting these tax increases but seems like a large percentage never really get to original intent.
September 28, 2007 at 1:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Be nice to see a line item budget report.
September 28, 2007 at 2 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
emporian (anonymous) says...
You can go to the city website and check out the budget.
September 28, 2007 at 2:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
netloafer (anonymous) says...
I've checked out that budget report and its meaningless. It's like a lot of financial minefields I've seen. It really doesn't give anyone the detail needed to see how money is actually being spent. It does break it out into big buckets, but doesn't drill down any further.
September 28, 2007 at 4:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Bigearl2 (anonymous) says...
$25,000,000
September 28, 2007 at 5:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Thanks tre and net. I should have guessed that about the budget. You'd think state auditors would insist that it was more distinct, or am I being naive again.
Big Earl, please be more succint.
September 28, 2007 at 8:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
netloafer (anonymous) says...
I went to the city office. The budget sent to the public says nothing about the actuals spent. It just has budgeted amounts. In looking at budgets vs. actuals a person can see how the money is actually being spent.
The problem is - the city doesn't want to release that information to the public.
It's one thing for a budget to say that a municipality can spend x number of dollars on a line item. It's another to actually see where the money is going. For example, if a department is overstaffed that will show up in salary/benefit detail. The department's overall budget may look good, but it could be because all the money is being spent on salary/benefits and little is being spent on the benefits the department is supposed to provide for the city.
October 1, 2007 at 11:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )