County Commmission set to act on extension district
Issue will be acted upon next week
By Brandy Nance (Contact)
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Lyon County commissioners spent part of their Wednesday study session discussion the possibility of Lyon and Chase Counties forming an extension district.
Commissioners are set to discuss the issues on Oct. 14 and act on it on Oct. 15.
The formation of a district would allow the two county extension councils to pool resources and have more agent specialization along with giving the newly formed district taxing authority in the respective counties. Taxing authority would shore up finances for the district and shift the burden away from county commissions to fund the extension program, Brian Creager, of the Lyon County Extension Council, said in an earlier meeting.
The Kansas Legislature passed the extension district act in 1991 allowing two or more counties to join together to form an extension district. As of July 1 of this year, there were nine districts in Kansas representing 25 counties.
Lyon County Counselor Marc Goodman said the language in the districting statute mirrors the individual extension councils.
“They maintain the same duties and requirements that currently exist,” Goodman said. “It’s fairly obvious that the legislature intended that the extension be made available in some form or fashion to all people on an equivalent basis.”
Goodman said without doubt, the formation of a district would create a separate taxing authority — something that has been a sticking point with the public.
“I think it is negativism to assume that this is bad because those people obviously are more irresponsible or less qualified than anything else elected and somehow they are going to spend money rampadly or some huge increase beyond what you allocate now,” Goodman said. “That argument to me fails because it assumes the inability of anyone to show any reason in spending ...”
Lyon County Commission Vice-Chair Rollie Martin agreed that the main sticking point is the taxing authority.
“I think the main negative theme going on is ... another taxing authority,” he said.
“That’s the only theme,” Lyon County Commission Chairman Scott Briggs said, adding that he hasn’t talked to one person who doesn’t support the extension itself — the negativity is focused on taxing authority.
Martin said there are 52 taxing authorities in Lyon County. However, he said it’s not just the concept of taxing authority.
“I think it’s more of a timing issue,” he said. “Is this the time for this county to make this kind of move?”
Goodman reminded commissioners that it isn’t just Lyon County involved in the decision.
“This is a cooperative,” he said. “It isn’t just Lyon County where a separate taxing authority is created. It’s also Chase County.”
Chase County can still protest the concept and stop the process, even if no petition is presented in Lyon County. After the resolution is approved the voters have the right to bring forward a petition to bring the issue to public vote.
The statute says: “If, within 60 days following the last publication of the resolution, a petition in opposition to the approval of the agreement and the inclusion of the county in the extension district is signed by not less than 5 percent of the qualified electors of the county and is filed with the county election officer, such board of county commissioners shall not approve such agreement and the county shall not be included in the extension district unless and until the same is approved by a majority of the qualified electors of the county voting thereon at a primary election or general election or at a special election called and held for such purpose.”
Comments
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Posted by Steve_Corbin (anonymous) on October 7, 2009 at 12:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am afraid that (like the smoking ban), this will be passed by the commission and the poor schmuck taxpayer will be forced to do a petition at their expense to overturn it. I hope this isn't the case but it's looking like it.
Posted by dale011 (anonymous) on October 7, 2009 at 4:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
At least the Gazette was good enough to print the rules of the game so we can get ready to file the protest petition.
Posted by irishemporia (anonymous) on October 7, 2009 at 5:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
So why is this such a bad thing?
Posted by Steve_Corbin (anonymous) on October 7, 2009 at 5:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Why is this such a good thing?
Posted by irishemporia (anonymous) on October 7, 2009 at 6:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Pooling of resouces
funding security
It seems to be working elsewhere
Posted by dude (anonymous) on October 7, 2009 at 6:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thats what they said about combining law eforcement,remember?
Posted by irishemporia (anonymous) on October 7, 2009 at 8:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
And did they combine law enforcement?
Posted by YY4U (anonymous) on October 7, 2009 at 10:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"Pooling of Resources" Will they still maintain offices in each county? Currently the Each County provides facility support. Will the extension district be required to reimburse the two county's for rent, utilities, upkeep and maintenance? Will the district be able to reduce the number of full time extension agents within this new district? Will this save any wear and tear on extension vehicles or reduce fuel consumption? I don't see any savings to the taxpayer by this so call pooling of resources.
"Funding Security" It would be easier to convince a "Special" council (made up exclusively of 4-H members) that extension projects are a high priority and need to be funded. Sounds like "Job Security" to me.
"It seems to be working elsewhere" For who? Taxpayers or extension district employees?
Posted by emporian (anonymous) on October 7, 2009 at 11:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The last thing this county needs is another taxing entity with no cap on their mill levy. Taxes are outrageous in this county already. Sure it may only be a few mills, but they add up. This is definetely not the time. If its working now why switch?
Posted by Steve_Corbin (anonymous) on October 8, 2009 at 5:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
A question for the county commission.
Of all the extension districts now in operation, how many have raised their
1. budget?
2. mil levy?
Posted by Steve_Corbin (anonymous) on October 8, 2009 at 5:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
A question to irishemporia,
How many times have YOU used the extension office services in the last year?
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