The Emporia City Commission has called a special meeting at 9 a.m. Friday to review applications for the city to receive federal stimulus money.
City Engineer Mike Novak pointed out at the commission’s study session Wednesday morning that the deadline for the applications is Friday, and the applications require the approval of the commissioners. The commission cannot take action on the applications except through a regular meeting.
The meeting will be at 9 a.m. Friday in the City Commission/Municipal Court Room, 518 Mechanic St.
The commission reviewed the city’s revenues and expenses for 2008 at its work session Wednesday morning.
The city started 2009 with a total surplus of about $838,000, with a surplus of about $350,000 in its general fund.
The commission also looked at the 2009 budget compared to actual at the work session.
Sales tax collections were down $38,000 in the first seven months of fiscal year 2009, while electric and gas franchise fees were up. The liquor tax collections were up as well.
The school district had extra money, so it prepaid the city for the use of the ball diamonds.
The net change between the budget and the actual revenue so far in FY 2009 was $328,710.
Commissioners also discussed re-prioritizing the budget and the capital improvement projects in light of the past seven months of revenues.
“Subsequent to adopting the 2009 budget, a number of items or concerns have been raised for the 09 year that we might not want to wait until all the way into the 2010 Fiscal Year,” said City Manager Matt Zimmerman, “the best example of that being the fact that our current outdoor warning siren systems are just not functional.”
Zimmerman also pointed out a number of changes since the 2009 budget was adopted, and city staff was asked to bring the commission some recommended changes it could consider adopting and what changes could be made.
Zimmerman said the Lyon County sales tax will be delayed until July instead of going into effect in April.
The commission also decided to put on an action agenda a contract for Treanor and Associates for work to be done on Fire Station No. 2.
Jeff Lane, a representative of the architectural company, answered questions on a proposal for the company to come up with construction and inspection plans so the work will meet code and demand requirements.
The commission also discussed allowing a mixed-use project to apply for both residential and commercial tax credits under the Neighborhood Revitalization Program.
The project in question was the Granada Lofts, now under construction at eighth Avenue and Commercial Street. The building will have residential units upstairs, with commercial space on the ground floor.
Lyon County Appraiser Gary Post said the county had no problem with the request. The development will be given two property numbers, and each section of the property will have different valuations
Commissioners also set March 9 and March 23 as the dates for the first two of its goal-setting sessions for the year.
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