City debt discussed at Eggs & Issues
Budget, debt brought up at city commission forum
By Russ Morgan
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Emporia’s goals, the city’s budget and its debt were some of the concerns discussed with city commissioners at Saturday’s Eggs & Issues forum.
Bill Barnes asked the commissioners how the city plans to use the money it will collect from the new sales tax, and how commissioners will look to reduce the city’s debt in the future.
Mayor Jeff Longbine said the city has worked closely with the county on the sales tax issue, and described how money collected from it will be used.
“We promised the voters from day one that our sales tax money will be spent on infrastructure improvements,” Longbine said, and described how the city’s capital improvement program has been split in two. “We’ve taken infrastructure-related items that we could put in sales tax and be true to what we told the voters, and so that sales money that we receive over the next five years will be dedicated to upgrading and enhancing our infrastructure. ... And with that sales tax, we’re going to be able to do projects that we wouldn’t have been able to do without it.”
Commissioner Bob Agler answered the question about the city’s debt by saying that the best way to deal with debt is to limit it’s growth.
“That sales tax takes care of a lot of projects that would have created additional bond indebtedness,” Agler said. The commissioners also have their eyes on other ways to reduce debt, such as refinancing existing debt. “Anytime we look at a project that’s going to have some substantial funding, we’re looking at a lot of other things (before issuing bonds) like whether there’s grants out there, whether there’s extremely low financing available. It’s part of the planning process.”
City Manager Matt Zimmerman, noted that in the two years this commission has been in office, it has not issued any bonds in terms of new projects. He also mentioned the benefit of having the money to take advantage of opportunities when they arise, using as an example the city’s recent purchase of a used fire truck that cost a quarter what a new one would have and allowed the city to avoid debt for that purchase.
Agler said he is proud to be part of a commission that practices such fiscal responsibility.
“There is an appropriate balance of what needs to be done, even if we don’t have the money to do it, about how are we going to generate funds,” Agler said.
Chuck Hanna asked how the Tyson shutdown has affected water sales, and what impact that will have on water rates.
“We have lost a substantial amount of water sales from Tyson,” Longbine said. “We have been looking at that on an ongoing basis ever since that shutdown occurred, ... and kind of a phenomenon, I guess, is that everybody’s water use is down. It presents some challenges. We have suspended some capital purchases, we have suspended some maintenance activities to see if it levels out or if it comes back.”
Longbine said that at this point, the commission has not yet discussed raising rates.
K.B. Thomas asked what ideas the commissioners have to improve Emporia’s housing and said that landlords need to organize to give each other input.
“I think in this economic situation, what we need are not more rules and regulations, but look at some way we can enforce (ordinances) without expanding government or putting undue burdens on the ... people that have property in Emporia,” Thomas said.
“One of the things the Building Futures campaign is working on, in addition to some sort of inspection and enforcement program, is finding a mechanism to help those who can’t (take care of their properties) themselves anymore, whether for financial or physical reasons,” Zimmerman said. “What we’re working on right now is creating a holistic approach to this so that we have some ability to help those who need that help.”
The Emporia Public Library came up when one audience member mentioned how the organization is struggling with budget cuts and shorter hours at a time when people need its services more than ever. Commissioners assured her that they understand the library’s importance to the community.
“We have a lot of assets in this community, and the library’s right at the top of the list,” Commissioner Jim Kessler said.
Bill Barnes asked about the possibility of the recreation commission requesting an additional 2 mills from the Emporia School Board.
“What involvement is the city going to have as we look in total whether adding 2 mills to our tax levies is the appropriate thing to do?” Barnes asked.
Commissioner Kevin Nelson explained that over the years, the rec commission has been given a lot of responsibilities and inadequate funding to take care of them. Nelson said the rec commission has not been given a mill increase since 1989. Presently, the rec commission is working on an agreement with the city outlining each entity’s responsibilities regarding the city’s recreation facilities.
rabblerouser (anonymous) says...
Without rules and regulations governing how landlords treat their tennants the people like the ones living in Heartland Trailer Park will continue to live in filthy conditions with open abandoned trailers that are left for the children to play in and trash everywhere. The owners of Heartland recently raised the rent in the park over 16% while not improving any conditions in the park. In fact they had the street lights removed on the south side putting the residence in the dark and creating a haven for criminal activity. They are charging fees on the water and this is suppose to be illegal and do a very poor job of maintaining the park. The city dropped the ball by not following up with last lawsuit they filed against Heartland.
April 18, 2009 at 9:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Tell (anonymous) says...
I'll bet not one tenant is forced to live at Heartland Park.No matter how many laws there are to protect the tenant there will never be enough to protect the landlord.You cannot force your tenant to be clean and respectful of surrounding properties. How about forming laws that fine the tenant for having trash etc in their yards.
April 19, 2009 at 12:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rabblerouser (anonymous) says...
Tell, You mean slumlord. Most of the tennants of Heartland are Hispanic and can not afford to go elsewhere and the ones who can, HAVE left. Heartland Park does nothing but collect rent and if you have ever driven through Heartland Park, you would think that you were in a third world country. The large dumpsters were replaced with smaller ones that do not hold the trash. The empty lots are allowed to go un-mowed and there was no excuse for removing the lighting in the park. There is no effort to control the speed through the park. Posted 10mph but many go 30+ putting the children in danger. There is a number of ferrel cats allowed to run wild in the park and the park owns a number of abandoned trailers with windows broken out and open doors. Take a drive through Heartland Park before putting in your 2 cents worth.
April 19, 2009 at 1:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
admireed (anonymous) says...
where is this Heartland Park? Who owns it?
April 19, 2009 at 5:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Tell (anonymous) says...
Hey rabble calm down I'll put my 2 cents in any time I want . I'm not defending the owners of Heartland Park what I'm trying to say is that many tenants disreguard rules and disrespect properties that don't belong to them. I am not against having rules on the landlords but I do believe there should be rules on the tenants. I have had rental properties there is certainly two sides to the issue.I have had many disrespectful things done to me and my property.When your tenant just pulls out in the middle of the night with no notice and leaves a mess then you will understand my frustration. If Heartland Park is bad you can file a complaint with the city it doesn't matter to me . I do think you should be careful in stereotyping hispanics as being to poor to go elsewhere it may just be the place they like to live at.Have you been to Mexico?
April 19, 2009 at 6:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
Tell...talk about stereotyping Hispanics....I was feeling some empathy for your position until you blew it clear out of the water with your "....the place they like to live at. Have you been to Mexico?" statement. That being your attitude towards your renters....I would think you are probably getting what you deserve.
April 19, 2009 at 6:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Tell (anonymous) says...
My point is the people that live there may be perfectly happy there.I might not like the conditions rabble certainly doesn't but whos to say the folks living there arent perfectly content.It sounds to me that it needs to be cleaned up my question is who trashed it? My comment about Mexico was when I was at Mexico there are parts of the country that do truly look very poverty stricken. It wasn't uncommon to see many stray dogs and cats wandering around.Its not always the big bad landlord that make the conditions poor.And before anyone gets bent out of shape with the Mexico comment I will say there is alot of Mexico that is beutiful, and I have the utmost respect for Hispanic people and their culture.Listen if Heartland Park is bad by all means report it not all landlords are good not all tenants are good we could use laws to protect both. It would make the whole community a better place.
April 19, 2009 at 8:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rabblerouser (anonymous) says...
Tell..... I have also had tennants in the past and it is true there are good and bad tennants, but I have spoken to some of the residence of Heartland at 930 Graphic Arts Road and they are not afraid to send their children to the dumpsters after dark because they took out the lighting and if you search the gazette website you will see that the residence sued Heartland in 2007 and the city also had a lawsuit against them to clean up the park. They seemed to have dropped the ball. Yes, I have been to Mexico and have many hispanic friends. When Heartland raises the rent on May 1st we will be paying more than my son pays in Belmont. Alot of difference in parks. If you drive through Heartland you should also check out Belmont and compare. We have been in Heartland for 2 years and for 2 years we have been fighting this.
April 19, 2009 at 9:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
neighbor (anonymous) says...
First off, I'm not a landlord, there's no way I'd want to get involved with rental property nor in dealing with deadbeat tenants who have no pride in themselves nor respect for other people's property.
"The large dumpsters were replaced with smaller ones that do not hold the trash. The empty lots are allowed to go un-mowed"
Both are covered by city ordinances. Call and ask to file a written complaint(s) with the City and then stand behind your complaints in court.
"There is no effort to control the speed through the park. Posted 10mph but many go 30+ putting the children in danger."
If I'm not mistaken, the drive thru the park is owned and maintained by the park owner, they are not city streets, therefore the speed limit posted there is not governed by nor enforcable by law.
"There is a number of ferrel cats allowed to run wild in the park and the park owns a number of abandoned trailers with windows broken out and open doors."
Again, items and issues covered by local ordinances, sign a complaint with the City.
"When Heartland raises the rent on May 1st we will be paying more than my son pays in Belmont."
Give proper notice and save money by moving to the other park that is better maintained and could potentially be a safer place to live.
April 20, 2009 at 12:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rabblerouser (anonymous) says...
neighbor... First off, it's probably best that you are not a landlord with the mindset that all tennants are deadbeats who have no pride in themselves or respect for other people's property. Re-read my post and you will see that I have had tennants and I have had both bad and good tennants. We have filed complaints and the health department has been out. What is your solution to the lights being removed? Our next move will be to contact the city attorney, city council and city manager landlord / tennant statutes are being ignored. This has had no results in the past after the city lawsuit against Heartland, therefore I can see getting the attorney general and our representatives involved. Lastly, we are in the process of making our move out of Heartland Park. I still intend on pursuing action on behalf of the remaining residence.
April 20, 2009 at 8:32 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
neighbor (anonymous) says...
I read and comprehended your posts just fine thank you. I was once a good tenant for landlords myself, paid my rent early and left every home I ever rented in better shape then when I moved in, so no I was not saying ALL renters are deadbeats. The rules and regulations the landlords already have to contend with is what allows the bad renters to get in and get away with what they do in the first place. Trailerparks are famous for high turnover, short-term tenants, untidiness and problem tenants. The park you live in has been a dump for decades, it is nothing new. Your landlord didn't make your trailerpark a "third world country", the tenants did it themselves. The health department is not who you need to call, file your complaints thru the city, they are ordinance violations. My solution for the lights? Move if your landlord doesn't want to improve the area, or pay for things himself that you feel are needed.
April 20, 2009 at 9:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
butterfly (anonymous) says...
well, i think there are 2 sides to the issue.
first - yeah landlords should keep up their properties.
second - people should be responsible for their living environments.
thrid - why are their children unsupervised playing in empty houses?
sounds like we need lawn care and parenting classes in that park.
April 20, 2009 at 1:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )