The normally mundane Lyon County Commission meeting received a little excitement last week when more than 20 people were in attendance to learn about Lyon County Extension wanting to merge with the Frontier District.
The Frontier District consists of extension offices from Osage and Franklin counties and they have asked Lyon County to join their group. The merger would allow extension offices to share resources and it would also give Lyon County Extension unlimited taxing authority — which has generated plenty of conversation around the community.
The meeting was described at times as tense as the issue was discussed. Despite community concerns, Lyon County Commissioner Rollie Martin thought it had been discussed enough and moved to vote on the issue. Teresa Walters seconded.
County Attorney Marc Goodman then called an executive session. After the session the commission decided to wait until Jan. 5 to vote on the issue because the actual details of the merger had not been put together.
We appreciate Goodman’s common sense that before anything is approved by the commission the details are worked out and can be made available so the commission actually knows what they are approving and committing taxpayers to funding.
This issue has only been in front of the public for a little over two weeks. The community is hoping that the county commission will really study this issue in-depth and understand the details and the consequences. With unlimited taxing authority the commissioners are endorsing a blank check of taxpayers’ money for decades to come.
Why rush into a marriage before the details are worked out? Working out a complete agreement will make a divorce easier if the marriage becomes too expensive for Lyon County taxpayers.
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
There is almost as big of rush to pass this as there was to apply for the FEMA grant. HOW'S THAT WORKING OUT COMMISSIONERS?
It is true that a petition can be filed if 5% of the voters don't agree with the commission on this. Just remember, we'll be voting for commissioners in that election also.
December 28, 2011 at 10:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
goodoleboy (anonymous) says...
It won't matter, our tax base just keeps getting smaller and smaller. Don't be surprised if by the next census this town is around 15k. Keep it up fellas
December 29, 2011 at 11:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )