In 2010 city leaders prided themselves in saying they held the line by maintaining services and not increasing taxes. While they did not raise taxes, they did raise prices on government services.
Citizens had hoped that the price increases would cease in 2011, but it appears that will not be the case.
At the Jan. 3 Emporia City Commission meeting, City Manager Matt Zimmerman and city officials began discussions on moving our community towards “fee for government services.” And last week there were discussions of paying a consultant $275,000 to figure out how to assess citizens to pay for rain water that lands on their property.
If city leaders are figuring out how to charge citizens for rain water, just think what they may start charging citizens for — fire calls, ambulance runs, street repairs, etc.
It appears that local governments are learning a lesson from the airline industry, which started charging customers for each bag they take on a flight.
Clearly, there needs to be a balance between government fiscal responsibility, cash reserves and taxes. But this new direction should alarm Emporia citizens greatly because it will mean more money out of your pockets while city leaders brag that they haven’t raised your taxes.
If citizens don’t like the “fee for services” plan then they need to be talking with Emporia city commissioners.
Chris Walker
Editor & Publisher
UltraBlue (anonymous) says...
Mr Walker, People that are transported by EMS are charged for that service. Everywhere, not just in Emporia. & you may also be charged for certain service provided by Fire Depts.
January 12, 2011 at 11:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
citizenT (anonymous) says...
Really, for rain! Please tell me I am reading this incorrectly.
January 12, 2011 at 1:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Yup, thats right citizen T, if it rains, you will be charged a fee for rain water run-off !!!
Heres what I predict will be the next " Fee " Charges ! Talking in Public, Sneezing in Public, Coughing in Public, Waving at a friend in Public, Sidewalk toll Fee, Street use sticker Fee, Passing Gas in Public Fee, i.e. Farting, Belching etc., Death or Dying Fee, Birth or Being Born Fee, Laughing/Snickering Fee, etc. ! If this is allowed to continue or even begin or get started, without any opposition to it, I can guarantee you that it will not stop with just one Fee !!!
Our leaders can make promises, but will always find a way to skirt their promise by other means, such as Fees for what should be paid for by taxes and by not spending like Emporia is filled with " Bazillionaires " !!!
January 12, 2011 at 1:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Any one for changing the name of this City, from Emporia, to " Little Moscow on the Plains " !!!
January 12, 2011 at 1:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
I e-mailed my city commissioners about my concerns two days ago and have since received courteous and informative replies.
Perhaps others should do the same.
January 12, 2011 at 2:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justthinkin (anonymous) says...
They better get this in place quickly so they can use it to pay 100% of the alley improvement / storm drainage improvements behind the new loft development for Kessler's buddy.
January 12, 2011 at 3 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dale011 (anonymous) says...
My wife and I moved to the Emporia area 6 years ago from Iowa. The city in which we lived in fact charged us for rain runoff on our city sewer bills. They figured how much rain came down and how much footage your property had and you got billed. I hate to see this type of "revenue enhancement" going on here,
January 12, 2011 at 3:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dale011 (anonymous) says...
Oh and for the first time that I recall I agree with Chris.
January 12, 2011 at 3:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ys9ri...
January 12, 2011 at 3:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2qv_M...
January 12, 2011 at 4:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
http://www.goodwinsustainabledevelopm...
January 12, 2011 at 4:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
This fee could have a negative impact on industry such as Tyson. Just think what the fee might be on water pollution?
January 12, 2011 at 4:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
http://beforeitsnews.com/story/353/92...
January 12, 2011 at 4:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ellen-b...
January 12, 2011 at 4:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/reggie-...
January 12, 2011 at 4:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justaflushaway (anonymous) says...
TYSON would be exempt from this fee
January 12, 2011 at 4:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
spectator (anonymous) says...
Sure wish I could afford to move out of this city. I'm tired of the nonsense of the city government. Be charging for the air each person requires soon.
January 12, 2011 at 5:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mslater (Matt Slater) says...
I know how to save the city ~$120k/yr plus benefits. It's REAL easy folks...
Matt
It's a great day in Mehtar Lam! Well, not for everyody ;-)
January 12, 2011 at 9:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Well, I know what I am going to do from now on, starting from the time I post this !
I am no longer going to read any gazette forum posts nor am I going to make any comments on the Gazette forums !!!
Nor am I going to give a hoot whether the City and its people are being bankrupt by a certain few spend, tax and its for the kids people or their friends !
What I am going to do is concentrate on the survival of " Numero Uno " and do so in any way available to me ! And the rest of you can fall into the " goose step " rythm of the spend, tax and its for the kids crowd/mentality
January 12, 2011 at 10:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kciddor (anonymous) says...
Good job here Editor. You are on a roll and it's about time after all these years you are coming forth. Don't quit here. Go after the school system and their union and turning out some very sorry educated students all over the nation. The unions have driven business's nation wide out of the USA. Agreed they were needed at one time and served a need, but they caused so many over paid people in this County and hurt and drove people out of business. Also go after those not doing something about closing the borders and rid the illegals in this country and Lyon County.
January 13, 2011 at 10:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Hey reddog, how many of these will be in Emporia?
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110113/a...
January 13, 2011 at 3:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
citizen1 (anonymous) says...
275,000 dollars for some to figure this out? Really? WOW!!!!!!
January 14, 2011 at 6:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )