The Emporia Gazette

February 12, 2012

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City Manager Matt Zimmerman presented the city commission with another revision of the 2009 budget that includes changes discussed during last week’s study session, and discussion of the budget continued Wednesday morning during the commission’s regular study session.

In the revised budget, revenue projections for the general fund were increased $82,240 to show the commission’s recommended changes, including paying half the cost of replacing seats in the civic auditorium from the new sales tax. The change also reflects an added $50,000 for storm water projects.

As it is now, the general fund shows a proposed deficit of $79,246. One reason is the updated budget includes a decreased mill rate in the bond and interest fund from 1.59 to .844 mills, for a general fund revenue decrease of $236,000. Also, in last week’s study session the commission directed that the industrial development sales tax fund not be charged $45,000 for staff time, which was partially offset by a $57,716 increase in motor vehicle taxes.

Some cuts proposed in earlier versions of the budget were not cut after all, including $7,500 for the municipal band, a $91,500 taxi subsidy, $72,673 for a planner position, $29,265 for paramedics and $47,653 for police.

“I’m comfortable with the budget as we have it here,” Commissioner Jim Kessler said. “The areas we could cut -- the planner position, paramedics, the band, the taxi, etc. -- we could cut, but that’s not what I want to do. Those things make Emporia a better place.”

Proposed rate increases of 10.5 percent for water and 13 percent for solid waste were left in the revised budget. “We’ve done what we intended to do,” Kessler said. “We’ve kept the mill rate flat ... we’ve increased some fees, prices will go up, but I support what we have here.”

The budget will be up for a vote following a public hearing at next Wednesday’s commission meeting.

The commissioners also examined the costs and potential advantages of extending the runway at the municipal airport to 5,500 feet from the current 4,999.

According to Airport Manager Don Tevis, runway length plays a big role in airport operations. A longer runway would allow more jets to come in, and they could leave with full fuel tanks, instead of only taking on half the fuel because of the short runway.

“If we didn’t have this airport, Norfolk wouldn’t have come in, Menu wouldn’t have come in,” Tevis said.

Consultant Edward Hyatt of HNTB Corp. was at the meeting to address potential conflicts with the FAA if no action is taken on the project. According to Hyatt, the FAA covered 95 percent of the environmental assessment done last fall.

“The EA is only good for three years,” Hyatt said. “If no progress is made, no money has to be returned, but the FAA won’t cover another EA.” The cost to the city for the project would be $32,232 for easements and phase 1 design in 2009 and $378,511 in 2010 for phase 2 construction, including $200,000 for necessary changes at the municipal golf course.

In other discussion, commissioners:

• Considered a proposal from Larry Lewis to include a paint ball course at the shooting range he plans to open. Commissioners asked Lewis to come up with a new site plan with a different layout because of safety concerns.

• Considered a plan to expand the hours at the transfer station and recycling center from 8 to 5 to 7:30 to 5:30 so residents can use the center before or after normal working hours.

• Reviewed a draft of the W. L. White Civic Auditorium Food and Beverage Policy that prohibits outside food and beverages at public events.