A proposed 7 percent increase on city of Emporia water rates next year will be discussed by city leaders at a key budget meeting Wednesday.
Although the final budget will not be approved until next month, the Emporia City Commission will debate property taxes, fees and spending in the utility and general funds during Wednesday’s work session.
The five-hour meeting also includes a 10 a.m. presentation by American Fallen Warrior Memorial Foundation and a noon luncheon with the Emporia Recreation Commission, where the future of the Lee Beran Recreation Center will be discussed.
The meeting will begin at 8 a.m. in the City Conference Room on the second floor of Civic Auditorium, 516 Mechanic St. It is open to the public.
Sales of water in Emporia have slumped this year. The latest numbers show sales decline about 10 percent compared to a year ago.
As of June, industrial water usage slipped 17 percent, church usage was down 18 percent and the amount of water being used by Emporia State University and the Emporia School District had fallen 21 percent. Residential usage was down 2.9 percent.
Revenue from the sale of water is anticipated to fall from $5.14 million in 2010 to $4.63 million in 2011 and 2012.
The problem is complicated by the fact water expenses are going up. The city is paying off debt from borrowing money for the 2010 Commercial Street water main project and Water Treatment Plant upgrades. Total expenses are estimated to be $5 million this year and $5.1 million next year.
City Manager Matt Zimmerman has proposed a seven percent rate increase.
“A seven percent rate increase would generate an additional $324,021 and would raise a typical homeowner’s bill by $1.53 per month,” Zimmerman wrote in a memo to city commissioners.
The Water Fund is projected to have an ending cash balance of $969,688 at the end of fiscal year 2011 with reserves of 20.1 percent. The city typically holds back a 20 percent reserve in all utility accounts.
If the rates are kept the same, the end balance next year would dip to $587,550, which would be a 12 percent reserve.
If commissioners want to keep 20 percent, they would need to come up with $376,896. To get there Zimmerman proposes the rate increase and not filling two vacant positions, a cashier’s position in the city clerk office and the chief plant operator at the treatment plant.
“The consequences of not filling the cashier’s position would be an increase in lines at the City Clerk’s office as one cashier will need to help with water meter repairs from time to time, and delayed response to phone calls,” Zimmerman wrote in the memo.
There is a possibility any hike in the water rates would be offset by a decrease in the rate for picking up solid waste, thus keeping resident’s overall bills flat.
By comparison, the City Solid Waste Fund is in great shape. The fund is projected to have an ending balance of $1.5 million at the end of the year. The reserve would be 43 percent.
The city is in the early stages of considering implementing a curbside recycling program. Whether that gets started would have a big impact the budget, but the budget will be done before a final decision about whether to go forward with recycling is made.
Residential rates could drop 31 percent if recycling is not implemented.
In 2009, the commission voted to raise water rates 10.5 percent and up solid waste 3 percent. The city raised sewer rates 30 percent in 2007.
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
WHAT A SHOCKER !
July 26, 2011 at 3:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
booker5m (anonymous) says...
Here we go again the only thing the Zimman can think of is raise the rates and we pay him over $100k ayear for this?
July 26, 2011 at 3:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
scarlett01_98 (anonymous) says...
agrees with steve corbin.
with the shortfalls in the budget, and raising of rates, are you city commishs still going to consider the fallen warrior scam? leavenworth has backed away from that..... they saw it for what is really is...
July 26, 2011 at 3:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Does anyone but, we few, we rabid dog few, think that the City Manager, City Commission, RDA, CVB, etc. are/have pick up the pace of " murdering " Emporia and its taxpayers.
Thats right, I said " Murdering Emporia " !
Tax mil levy increases + public service fee increases + increases in RDA, CVB, ARTS COUNCIL, etc., funding is nothing more than a " deathknell " for Emporia and its taxpayers.
The real estate sign " For Sale " sign companies will certainly see an increase in business .
I suggest that we all gather at the " Entrance Rocks " and pray for a miracle.
Because that is what it is going to take to save Emporia .
July 26, 2011 at 3:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Save your breath scarlet01_98,
The City Manager, City Commission, only listen and obey one small group of selfserving, selfish individuals and you, me, Steve Corbin, create, Net Loafer, railroadhorn, bluebonnet, sail, goodoleboy, romano, neighbor or any of the others are not the group they listen to or even consider as being " credible " citizens of Emporia. We, who do not belong to that " special little group " are only looked upon and considered as this " special little group's " cash cows .
July 26, 2011 at 3:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
landinkansas (anonymous) says...
Simple solution seems to be:
(1) Hold the rate at it's current level.
(2) The Solid Waste Fund has an excess of 43% so backfill the water dept. to maintain the 20% reserve.
(3) Put the recycling program on hold for 24 months. look at it again in 2 years.
Seems simple to me? So whats the next problem, lets knock out a bunch of em.
July 26, 2011 at 3:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
romano1784 (anonymous) says...
so we look at this objectively. They are not filliing the spots which will make worse customer service and they want to charge extra for it? HI commissioners, city manager, anyone else involved that does not know their brain from their left foot. The reason water rates are down is because people are cutting back on their usage. Now you want to charge us more for cutting back on our resource? Go to hell. Increase here, increase here, increase here. ok, insert brick into hand, bang repeatedly into forehead until your common sense returns or you are too clinically stupid to still be in office. Either option for you, as methusla likes to put it, ELITE is fine with me. Personally im hoping your common sense returns, but im not holding my breath.
July 26, 2011 at 3:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
scarlett01_98 (anonymous) says...
meth did battle with zimmy once and won! they might be elite, but i am better at arguing my case than he is. the county commish realized real quick that i might have been bald, and barely able to walk, my arm in a sling, but my mouth worked just fine.
my father once said arguing with me was like wrestling with a pig in the mud. after a while you figure out the pig likes it....go figure....
July 26, 2011 at 3:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
romano1784 (anonymous) says...
scarlett01_98 (anonymous) says...
meth did battle with zimmy once and won!
scarlett the problem is that even when they blatently lose the argument and cant show it has any merit they still do whatever they want. you can win against them everytime but they'll still win using your tax dollars for things that the average person doesnt want.
July 26, 2011 at 4:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
scarlett01_98 (anonymous) says...
no no romano i misstyped.
i did battle with zimmy and won
July 26, 2011 at 4:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
scarlett01_98 (anonymous) says...
i'm one handed... my brain works faster than my hand does. sorry about that..
July 26, 2011 at 4:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
romano1784 (anonymous) says...
ok. but my position i think still stands
July 26, 2011 at 4:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
scarlett01_98 (anonymous) says...
yes it does, in my case, the rates didn't change. but my issue was about l-cat. sooo zimmy tried to limit my access to l-cat, but i had the ada, and a medical nessesity on my side. neither the city or county commishes or zimmy could say much other than "ok".
July 26, 2011 at 4:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
scarlett01_98 (anonymous) says...
however lyon county did get more funding for l-cat because of me. : )
July 26, 2011 at 4:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
goodoleboy (anonymous) says...
glad to see our new commissioners are having such an impact.............
keep it up fellas, other towns are looking better all the time
July 26, 2011 at 5:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
According to the American Fallen Warrior Memorial Foundation, they were to have an open meeting about 2 weeks ago but, the City Manager and the Director of Tourism decided to have a closed meeting. She told me 2 properties are under consideration. They need 20 acres with 5 acres being used as cross parking which is a nice deal for a development. The CITY should give others developers a chance to consider this project with all the cards on the table. The way our City Manager and Tourism director is going about this, reminds me so much of the monument project. LET THE PEOPLE SPEAK. Some people have said, this project should not be for commerical or political gain and I could not agree more.
July 26, 2011 at 5:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
http://www.facebook.com/GoldStarWall#...
July 26, 2011 at 5:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
Part of this memorial is educating the youth about patriotism and maybe that would qualify The Jones Trust and maybe 1/4 % sales tax. What do you think? IF WE BUILD IT THE PEOPLE WILL COME.
July 26, 2011 at 5:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
What is the ECONOMIC impact of this project? How much will the CITY have to invest and what is the payback?
July 26, 2011 at 5:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
HOLY MACARONI, WHY SHOULD WE BE SURPRISED AT AN INCREASE IN RATES?
Is that all Zimmerman knows, raise the rates?
Wasn't Zimmerman the one who said we needed new water meters because the old ones weren't reporting the correct usage? Well surprise, surprise. Those old meters were wrong all right, they were OVER reporting and we were paying higher bills.
The city owes us back water billing. How about them apples.
Keep the rates where they are and stop spending on nonsense crap.
July 26, 2011 at 5:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Why has Leavenworth backed off the Fallen Warrior project? Time to put that on the back burner too. We can't afford it right now.
July 26, 2011 at 5:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
browneyebabygirl22 (anonymous) says...
we cut down our usage to help save money because how expensive it is and then they want to raise the cost because their not makeing enough money, talk about bunch bull. if they did not spend tax payer money on stupid stuff then whatever was left could be shifted to help cover revenue lose.
July 26, 2011 at 6:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tourguide (anonymous) says...
Can't wait till Wed. morn. Excited about seeing ALL OF YOU. at the meeting. Let's all get together early for a cup at the diner Before the meeting.. Bring your cameras & recorders. NO EXCUSES NOW, I was there that Monday night. Nobody knew who I was. But they will this time. Hope they have enough chairs...
July 26, 2011 at 6:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
reddog,
FOR GOD'S SAKE MAN !
Take off your real estate blinders and get used to the idea that the Fallen Warrior project will NOT locate in Emporia.
Not with city funding or tax abatements any way. This outfit is a sham and we don't need and cannot afford any part of it.
If it takes a law suit or a recall petition it will get stopped. This rabid dog is tired of the same old "rocky" talk of tourism saving Emporia. It may be time to bite the hand that is stealing from me.
Just a heads up to the commissioners and city manager. You had damned well be ready to bet your jobs on this thing. Believe me, you are.
July 26, 2011 at 6:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rabblerouser (anonymous) says...
Sales of water in Emporia have slumped this year. The latest numbers show sales decline about 10 percent compared to a year ago.
10 percent less chemical and costs involved in providing this water. Cut employee's by 10 %. Take 10% from their Budget. They are providing 10% less water!!!!!!!!
July 26, 2011 at 6:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tourguide (anonymous) says...
It's another log on the fire. I dislike reporting back all the negatives of Emporia. WE thought this would be a great relocation area, But after being back in town for a while I feel like we made a mistake.It seems the citizens can not get a hand on the problems of town. Property is HIGH, TAXES are out of control. City spending is also out of control. Even though it would have been nice to relocate in a junction of the turnpike & I 35 there are not enough incentives to justify a move.I have had a good laugh over some of these post. I wish you all well.Good Luck Emporia...
July 26, 2011 at 7:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
scarlett01_98 (anonymous) says...
create, leavenworth backed off the fallen warrior project because of the fed lawsuit between the 2 foundations. the one in lawrence is a knockoff the orig one in dallas. leavenworth doesn't want to be a part of the scam. there is an article in the leavenworth paper.
July 26, 2011 at 7:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
scarlett01_98 (anonymous) says...
k b thomas, try thinking beyond you own nose for a minute. the foundation is a BAD IDEA!
July 26, 2011 at 7:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
booker5m (anonymous) says...
The city is like Weststar tell you to conserve and then punsish you by raising rates when you do!
July 26, 2011 at 7:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
tourguide, why are you blaming us for the city's mistakes. Believe me, my friend, the people you see posting regularly on this forum have done everything outside of breaking the law to convince the commissioners to make changes. If you don't want to stay and fight, then go. We need people with sharp teeth and firm constitutions.
July 26, 2011 at 8:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tourguide (anonymous) says...
But you see it was not my assignment to stay. I am only here scouting a location. I lived here for many years, then I left to join a company from Chicago. I saw Emporia as a possible new site for expansion. I only blame the voters that DID NOT care enough to turn out and save their town. I do hope that soon the voters will clean up the problems in Emporia.I hate to think we fought for the RIGHT TO VOTE, and have so few that did. Now lets see what spam site KB will post ?
July 26, 2011 at 8:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
LOL, tourguide on those spam sites. reddog is part of the woodwork around here. Some of us get irritated with him; some just figure it's part of his right to an opinion.
July 26, 2011 at 8:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tourguide (anonymous) says...
Yes I know. I have known him & his family for many years.He does not know me..
July 26, 2011 at 8:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
tourguide, with that type of " monicur ", I will have to assume that you are involved in the " Tourism/Tourist " industry . And you say you were " scouting " Emporia for a location or re-location of some sort. If you are indeed what you claim to be, I have one question for you.
How is the " Tourism/Tourist " industry doing now-a-days, given that the country is in the midst of one of the, if not the worst recession in modern history and the unemployment rate is encreasing, almost everyday and do you believe while scouting Emporia, does Emporia have the potential to be saved by the, what some see as, the almighty " Tourism/Tourist " dollar and is it true that become a " Tourisim/Tourist " meca, happens to be one of the most expensive to maintain industries there is and that the return on investment may be very slow in coming to the taxpayers of the area or a return on invest may actually be non-existent at all ?
I ask these questions, because it is my understanding, in order to become a Touisim/Tourist mecca, require a substantial amount of investment capitol, the maintenance costs are very high and the return on invenstment may never be realized !
July 26, 2011 at 8:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
What is going on here ?
Please, re-read this statement from Zimmerman, " There is a possibility any hike in the water rates would be offset by a decrease in the rate for picking up solid waste, thus keeping resident’s overall bills flat. "
Does this sound like the same old " Houdini Shuffle " , that was implemented by Zimmerman and the " few Houdini assistants of the RDA,CVB, etc., prior to the sales tax increase/extension" to trick people into voting to raise sales taxes on themselves ? The use of that word " offset " seems to be being used an awful lot lately and it usually means " Don' t bend over to pick up the sopa, while in the shower, because you just might get the shaft/screwed, in the " end . "
We the people were duped into raising sales taxes and then extending the sales tax, with the " offset " theory that by doing so, property taxes would not have to, nor would be raised and stay flat.
What a masterful piece of " Conman B.S. " that turned out to be, as it looks as though the property tax mil levy may be raised as much as 20+ mils total.
What will be the next " Con ", another sales tax increase or/and extension .
I am beginning to think that the leader of this City, are trying to make Emporia an " exclusive " City instead of an " All Inclusive " City as they claim.
There are people in Emporia that can not afford one more penney to have to pay, let alone an additional $ 1.53 per month. And just wait till the new property tax mil levy tax takes affect . The Exodus of people, jobs and businesses from Emporia will make the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt look like a Sunday stroll.
July 26, 2011 at 9:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tourguide (anonymous) says...
Meth, Sorry you missed that one.My Co. is 1 of only 4 in the nation that supplies custom Light Shows & transportation of Concert show Equipment.WE are only 300 strong (150 ) of them being truckdrivers. Now located in Sycamore, ILL. Needing a terminal location more in central US. But the local Employment force would not top 55-65 people. there were several locations BUT... I have enjoyed my time in Emporia, now it is off to Oklahoma. Thank You ALL..
July 26, 2011 at 10:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
Last year at a CITY COMMISSION meeting, I asked one of the commissioners and I believe it was Mr. Agler what was the city charging off for administrative fees and I was told 2 million for the utility funds and they admitted it did not cost that much. They said if they didn't do it that way, the property taxes would have to go up. I say why can't we cut back?
July 26, 2011 at 11:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
What this town needs is a 100 room downtown convention center--maybe the old Emporia High School Building or the South Roundabout to the Thomas Tract .
July 27, 2011 at 12:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
http://www.leavenworthtimes.com/highl...
July 27, 2011 at 12:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
romano1784 (anonymous) says...
I saw Emporia as a possible new site for expansion. I only blame the voters that DID NOT care enough to turn out and save their town.
This comment by tourguide. Do you read the forums lately? while i have not been to the commission meetings i do write in questions. most go unanswered. But reading these forums you quickly realize that votors or not the commission does what it wants when it wants. to date i have not found one person that agreed that they voted for the tax increase. not one. out of hundreds!
July 27, 2011 at 12:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
http://www.vietvet.org/kansmem.htm
July 27, 2011 at 12:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
goodoleboy (anonymous) says...
reddog
Hate to rain on your parade but at this rate the Thomas tract won't be worth squat in another decade, better donate to your pie in the sky memorial or sell soon.
July 27, 2011 at 4:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
goodoleboy,
Noooooooooooooooooo!
I hope your comment to reddog was tongue in cheek.
Right now that property is bringing in tax payments. Not a lot, but some. If donated to this memorial outfit we would have another 30 acres of not for profit exempted property in town.
July 27, 2011 at 5:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Good morning all.
I am not an attorney, but I think I will get one from out of town to check on this.
The following is Kansas statute13-2408:
Deposit and use of revenue; transfer of moneys, when. All revenues derived from the sale and consumption of water and from the management and operation of waterworks, shall be deposited, daily, in the city treasury to the credit of the waterworks department, and be kept in a separate fund, to be known as the waterworks department fund; and such revenues shall be used exclusively for the operation, maintenance, renewal and extension of the waterworks and in paying off the bonded indebtedness created for the purchase price thereof, or interest charges on such indebtedness AND FOR NO OTHER PURPOSE, except, it shall be lawful for the board of commissioners in cities of the first class having a population of less than twenty-five thousand (25,000), and which has adopted the commission-manager form of government, to use any surplus that may accumulate in said fund for the purpose of purchasing equipment and appliances for the fire department of such city. In cities of the first class having a population of more than one hundred twenty-five thousand (125,000) and less than one hundred sixty thousand (160,000) the governing body thereof may transfer funds from the water department to pay the pensions of former employees of the water department.
PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING PART OF THE STATUTE:
Any member of the board of commissioners who shall vote for, or aid, in the transfer or use of such revenues for any private purpose or for any other department of the city government, except as herein provided, shall forfeit his or her office and be liable on his or her official bond for such misappropriation.
July 27, 2011 at 6:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
IN THE PROPOSED BUDGET for 2012 there are administrative fees of 17-18% in the water, sewer, and solid waste funds being transferred to the general budget.
This has happened in the last few years budgets with a wink and a nod from the commissioners.
It was done so they could say "we didn't have to raise your mil-levy rates". It was done because rate increases were deemed easier to do than tax increases.
As I said I am not an attorney, but these administrative transfers seem to be in violation of state law. If not the letter than in the intent.
Right now there are 2 sitting commissioners who voted for and approved these transfers in past budgets.
Would their past votes on this constitute grounds for a recall election?
Right now the 3 new commissioners have NOT voted for these transfers. But they are going to have to.
July 27, 2011 at 6:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Here is my point.
The water, waste and sewer funds more or less show a profit for the city. The city is using this money for general funds, which keeps the mil-levy down. (this is really o.k. with me, but may be against the law).
But to turn around and even consider a water rate increase is asking a bit much.
If the commissioners can't keep taxes down by shuffling funds around, (legally or illegally) at least have the balls to tell us and raise the taxes, not fees.
July 27, 2011 at 6:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rabblerouser (anonymous) says...
Run.......run like the wind!
New Gazette Headline!
People Leaving Emporia and Lyon County In Droves
Officials Puzzled!
July 27, 2011 at 6:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rabblerouser (anonymous) says...
Dud!!!!!!!
July 27, 2011 at 7 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rabblerouser (anonymous) says...
oops. I meant Duh!
July 27, 2011 at 7:01 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
netloafer (anonymous) says...
Steve
When politicians get desperate it becomes any port in a storm.
A while back I wrote about what happened in California. There was a serious drought and local politicians levied penalties/fees against people who used above certain thresholds of water. The people complied and conserved. They did so well that the revenue stream started drying up. The politicians them came up with a clever solution. They levied pentalties against people who used less than the desired amount of water. It proved that no good deed goes unpunished. In the end it was the straw that broke the camel's back. The people revolted and passed Proposition 13, which put stringent limits on government's ability to tax the people. Of course, with time the polticians figured out ways around it. It helps when you have armies of lawyers at your disposal.
I think our local politicians are in a similar mode.
July 27, 2011 at 7:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Our local politicians, have been in the mode netloafer speaks of for quite some time now.
And rabblerouser, you are right, " run from Emporia, run like the wind . " Only problem is there are some of us who cannot afford to run, because the City Commission and their " Handlers " are keeping a lot of us just broke enough, we can' t run, but we also can' t really afford to stay either. We are the lost/in limbo/forgotten people of Emporia.
July 27, 2011 at 8:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
STEVE, you brought up a good point, but it is legal what the City is doing concerning the utility funds but, perhaps not ethical in my way of thinking.
July 27, 2011 at 8:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Steve, reddog is not a lawyer. I'm with you, consult an out of town lawyer. Uh oh, I can see the headlines now.
The Heat is On!
July 27, 2011 at 10:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Pingeon (anonymous) says...
Come on guys, it's only 7%! An extra $1.50 a month won't break anybody!
This is nuts. We need to be cutting, not increasing. I sarcastically said it's only $1.50, and that would be true under normal circumstances. $1.50 here, $1.50 there, $5.00 here, $40 there. It's adding up quick and CANNOT CONTINUE!
July 27, 2011 at 11:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
I went to the 8:00 meeting with the intent of asking about this water rate increase and the admin. fees. I only lasted 45 minutes before my copd kicked in and I left so as not to gross out everyone.
GUESS WHAT?
I WAS THE ONLY PERSON THERE, WHO WASN'T BEING PAID TO BE THERE.
1 FREAKING TAXPAYER AT A LENGTHY BUDGET MEETING.
Oh, by the way, HAPPY BIRTHDAY BOBBI MLYNAR!
What I did hear while there was a lot of diverse ways to keep the mil-levy down.
There was some thought about extending debt payments which I am glad to say the Mayor and commissioner Phipps seemed to be against. Hint, hint all the rest, take their heed. I also got the impression from commissioner Phipps that he was not happy with the micromanaging of the different department budgets. I am in agreement there also.
It really should be up to the department heads on how their budget is spent. Shouldn't the commission be given the revenue numbers and projections and decide to cut (or raise) the budget?
And if it means a 4% or 24% cut in individual department budgets let the department heads decide what's best for their department, and where to make their cuts.
July 27, 2011 at 11:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
There was also talk about paying down the debt and things would get better soon if the city did not take on any more big projects.
Well it seems we have a 1 million upgrade for the police department radios.
We also have a storm water project estimated at 6 million coming up.
The Fanestil incentive package is projected at over 2 million including tax abatements?
So it seems there is one hand planning on increasing debt, while the other hand is saying maybe we wont.
July 27, 2011 at 11:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Steve,
Tell you what I will do, if you want me to, I will cut back an additional 20% on water usage and then use that savings to donate to an " Attorney Fund " to help pay for an Attorney, how would that be ?
Only thing is if I and everyone else cuts back an addition 20% on water usage, what will that do to future water rate fees ?
My point being, it makes no difference what we as citizens of Emporia do to cut back and save on our local living costs, the local City Government and their " Handlers " will undoubtedly concoct ways to demand/get more .
Seems to be a war of " Wills " the will of those who want more and the will of those who can' t afford to give or refuse to give any more !
Interesting dilemma isn' t it.
July 27, 2011 at 11:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
1 FREAKING PERSON !
July 27, 2011 at 11:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Steve, people are working. And me? If I could breathe better in all this flipping heat, I'd be there too.
See you soon.
July 27, 2011 at 11:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
create,
Normally, I would agree with you on the work hours, but we do have some unemployed people living in Emporia. Now the heat angle, I can agree with, my breathing is affected also.
I'm thinking maybe I should offer a $20.00 bill or Country Mart gift card to the 1st- 50 unemployed people who show up to a budget meeting. Do you think anyone would show up? Probably not.
July 27, 2011 at 12:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Steve Corbin,
Sorry, I was not at the meeting with you.
July 27, 2011 at 12:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
And it would do not good to pay people to attend, as I have told the Commission and City Manager many times, people just don' t feel that their attending does any good anyway, as things are usrally done they way they have been for decades.
Again Steve, I am sorry I was not there to support you .
July 27, 2011 at 12:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hometownkid (anonymous) says...
So let me get this straight. City raises my water rates so I use less water to offset the rate increase. Then since I have used less water trying to save my family some money.. The city raises the rates again???
I'm with corbin just raise all taxes as high as the city wants. Then see if anyone is left to pay them.
Does anyone realize when the city raises rates its always...only going to effect to cost the average person..( insert amount) Next thing you know higher sales tax, higher property tax, higher water rates, higher trash fees....then it only costs the average person several hundred dollars per year more!!
Meanwhile my household income goes down because my business is down. My wifes wages and hours have been cut at the hospital that now wants to tax me more for my house.
Not to mention food prices, insurance rates, and the prices of utilities on the rise.
Can someone please give my family a break from all the "minor increases"
I wish big business and goverment could learn to live within their means !!
July 27, 2011 at 12:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
It's not a set budget, by any means, Methusla.
What I did see, is all of the commissioners really questioning the manager and each other, on different options.
I really do think none of the commissioners want to raise our taxes or fees. But in order to do that, they are going to HAVE to make tough decisions and upset somebody.
July 27, 2011 at 12:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
And meth, I appreciate the offer to cut back on the water usage. But unless you are planning on not showering for a month and then giving the commissioners a big hug at a meeting, I'd say just go ahead and use as much water as you can:>)
July 27, 2011 at 12:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hottopics (anonymous) says...
Have mercy on us.
Zimm needs to get the boot outta here....leaving on a water hose ride.
July 27, 2011 at 1:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
doubt_it (anonymous) says...
I would love to be able to attend these meetings, but when I work 12 hours days (730am - 730pm), it makes it kind of hard to do that. I have emailed the commissioners and have had NO response to any of my emails. We need a break. Do NOT raise taxes or water rates.
July 27, 2011 at 1:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
doubt_it
I understand that your first priority is to take care of you and your own ( family ) . If that takes working a 12 hour day, then that is what you must do. I know I have been there myself.
My son used to ask me many times, " Dad, why do you work some of the jobs you have worked and the hours you have worked " ? I told him, " Son, when you are a grown man and have a family you need to feed, clothe, educate, keep a roof over their heads, you will do and work at what is necessary to do so ! " Just like my father and his father told their sons when asked the same question.
And myself and others " DO " appreciate your concern about the direction that Emporia is headed and how there seems to be a lack of concern for the people who are trying to pay their own personal bill, but are being demanded to pay the Citys bills as well and in some cases haveing to cut back or do without, because the Citys leaders can not seem to come up with an answer, as to how to control not only their spending urges, but the spending urges of the few who should not be dictating to or demanding how, why, on what or where the elected officials of " All of the People " should be spending " Taxpayer Funds " .
Attending a public Budget Meeting is important, but I believe getting out and voting is of much more importance, because that is the only way all of the people are going to have a " Voice " in how our elected officials carry out the " Will of All the People and do the Peoples Business as the People wish them to do . "
E-mailing our/your elected, peoples representatives is also an important thing to do, if they read your emails .
So, doubt_it, keep emailing the Emporia officials and by all means attend a meeting when you can.
Mean while we few rabid dogs, will continue to personally bark and growl at the Commission, etc., at the meeting when we are able to do so .
July 27, 2011 at 2:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
smartjhawk (anonymous) says...
Do you guys know also the city buys their plumbing supplies to move this water in McPherson from Water Products when there is two capable suppliers in town. Does "Shop Emporia First" ring a bell?
July 27, 2011 at 2:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
scarlett01_98 (anonymous) says...
did anyone notice that k b thomas aka reddog wants a 1/4 % sales tax to fund his pet project? why should the tax payers pay for this ? water is a necessity, and we can barely afford that, why do we need another scam?
July 27, 2011 at 2:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
smartjhawk
Could it possibly be that the City is saving money by shopping " out of Emporia " , due to possibly lower prices ?
And I know for a fact that the sales tax in McPherson is less than the sales tax in Emporia . There are very few Cities in Kansas where the sales tax is as high or higher than in good ole Emporia .
July 27, 2011 at 3:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
scarlett01_98 (anonymous) says...
my thought too, meth
and they might have a contract with the mcpherson company...
July 27, 2011 at 3:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
smartjhawk (anonymous) says...
Those kind of purchases are charged no tax. They still buy small stuff here but the large orders are not even priced here so there is no way to know if either is cheaper.
July 27, 2011 at 3:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wirewatt (Ken Bazil) says...
The Rural Water Districts will save the City again this year. They just need to wait and see how the sales are up after the heat. They have forgotten about the new Generation Plant at Lang. It has been running a lot, and uses many thousands of gallons per hour. I think they will find out that water usage will level out, or even be up.
July 27, 2011 at 5:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
doubt_it (anonymous) says...
~ Meth
Thanks for the words. I do get out and vote each and every election. I always go on my lunch break. I just wish someone would listen to what we all have to say and then act accordingly. It's tougher and tougher to feed & clothe a family. Do you buy groceries or do you buy gas for your vehicle so you can get to work to pay the bills? I think we all have cut back about as much as we can cut back. It's time for our city leaders to step up to the plate and cut back as well. We need to get Emporia back on track and forget about some of the "pet" projects until we as a city are in better shape financially. What does it take for our leaders to see this?
I don't post a lot on here, but I do read each and every comment daily. Well, except for reddog's blog spams. I skip over those entirely. I want to be a voice of the rabid dog society, but it seems like you guys all say it first and then I'm just a repeater.
I would love to move out of Emporia because it's too expensive to live here, but alas, I cannot afford to do that & my son wants to remain here because this is where he grew up. Hopefully when he's finished with school, he will change his mind.
I will keep emailing, but it would be nice to get some kind of respnose. Even if it's telling me to quite complaining.
July 27, 2011 at 6:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rabblerouser (anonymous) says...
But we have Rocks!
July 27, 2011 at 6:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
doubt_it
Welcome to the " Rabid Dog Society " and there is nothing wrong with repeating things or expounding on things that have already been said. If things are repeated enough and enough people say it, then it will begin to be given some credibility and " soak in " !
Again, welcome to the " rabid dog pack " .
July 27, 2011 at 9:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
booker5m (anonymous) says...
The Zimm is like the Roman leader Nero. Tax and rasie services. This is all he knows.
July 27, 2011 at 9:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ConcernedCitizen1 (anonymous) says...
I have visited Emporia a few times and everything was so very high I couldnt believe it. The prospect of having to DONATE 20 acres of land when your city cannot make ends meet now seems to me to be a little on the stupid side. Do you really think that with high prices anyone is going to be able to visit this "planned memorial" if it ever makes it out of court that is? I just read an article that was on the AFWMF site about the architect entering a contest, but when I tried to look up the contest info all I found was the United States Fallen Heroes Foundation's Competition. Is that confusing to anyone else?
July 28, 2011 at 12:19 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
doubt_it,
Don't dare stop posting. You aren't really repeating what the rabid dogs say, you're accentuating ideas. You're part of the pack. You're helping to lead the charge. You're rattling cages by letting those in power know that there's more than just a handful of disgruntled people in this town. Please don't stop posting.
July 28, 2011 at 7:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
booker5m (anonymous) says...
I have emailed Bobbi and she returned my email and from what I gather she feels that her and the other new ones are against the wall as in rest of the commish. will out vote them. Until we get rid of the ones that still have time on the commish board we are in trouble.They and the overprice Zimman will keep on doing what they want no matter if we go to the meeting or not. Last one I went to myself and others told them want we thought needed to been done. Was more or last told we didnt have an idea of what was going on they knew what was best for Emporia and we see have well their ideas have gone.Again until we get rid of those commish and the Zimman we are in trouble!
July 28, 2011 at 10:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
doubt_it (anonymous) says...
~ create
Thanks. Glad I have some "rabid dog society" friends on here.
So how exactly do we go about getting rid of the older commissioners & Zimmerman? I've heard mention of petitions on here before. Is anyone starting one? What exactly needs to be on a petition?
Just not understanding why they can't see that in raising taxes & mil levy, they are going to be paying more, too. Yes, I'm sure they have way more money that I do, but it's still more they have to pay.
Oh wait, I forgot.....wasn't a merit increase for some of them included in the budget. How silly of me. Now I see how they afford it.
Kick us while we are down & keep kicking some of us out of town. When you are done kicking, there will be no one left in town to kick. Who are you going to get to pay for your precious rocks & such then?
July 29, 2011 at 7:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Well all, I did attend the Thursday Commission work/study session . I did not make any comments, as I wanted to just listen and record the meeting and what was said.
What really made no sense to me was the fact that for approx. 20 to 30 minutes, the idea of water fee increases were debated and discussed. What amazed me was the idea of raising the Water fee rate and then lowering the solid waste fee to " offset " the Water fee rate increase, that way the publics total bill they pay will remain " Flat/the same " . I thought to myself, " What " ... exactly what sense does that move make ? I thought to myself, " Why not just change nothing and the customers bills will remain the same anyway, without having to make any changes in printing or figuring the bills, seems like a lot of work/hassle to actually change nothing.
However, the more I thought about it, I realized that the only reason that I could come up with for Zimmerman to even suggest such a thing is, the fact that water usage revenues are down and this was the only way that he could come up with to appease those on the commission that see a loss of water revenue as a bad thing and those commissioners want to see an increase in water fee revenues, but do not want to anger the public by presenting the public with a higher bill to pay. Therefore the idea of raising water usage fees and lowering the solid waste pick up fee and transferring the bulk of the water fee increase to businesses who use more water than residential users and charging less for solid waste pick up which will supposedly benefit everyone, I guess, I really don' t know. This is just my reasoning on the whole thing. However I still think that just leaving things the way they are presently, would the easier and more acceptable thing to do, instead of trying to please a few and " Flim-Flam " the rest. Besides, I also think that if the businesses that have reduced their water usage to lower their bills, see an increase in fee rates, will continue to cut their water usage ! In that situation what will Zimmerman and the Commissions answer be .
continued,
July 29, 2011 at 8:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
continued,
It would seem that the " Car Wash " owners are the ones that will definately by hurt by any water fee increase. And if they raise their prices to pass the water cost to their customers, then undoubtedly their business will decrease along with their water usage and therefore effectively causing a substantial drop in water usage revenues. So the problem will have to be addressed, again, sometime in the future. It' s like an episode of " As The World Turns ! "
Sure gets complicated and confusing . And the only reason it is complicated and confusing is, because the Commissioners/leaders and those who influenced them, have managed to spend the City, taxpayers and themselves into a confusing and complicated situation/mess, all on their own/of their own doing and can blame no-one but themselves and those few who manage to influence them in their decisiions .
And I feel sorry for any commissioner who is pretty much on their own against the other majority, who are of the business as usual , mentality .
July 29, 2011 at 8:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
You're right, methusla. Why not just leave the bills as they are and avoid all the extra paperwork? It's the old shell game. Now you see it, now you don't. But it's still there. Isn't it? Huh?
I just get dang disturbed when the sewer use bill goes up so high in the summer when all that water is not going down the sewer at all. It's all going in the garden. That has never been fair. Now if they make a change in that, I'd be satisfied. But that will NEVER happen because it would mean less dollars in the city's coffers.
SO, it figures that with all the watering in the garden that sewer repair monies should be ahead for awhile. Yeah sure.
July 29, 2011 at 8:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
booker5m (anonymous) says...
Dont worry The Zimm will raise the trash rates very soon!
July 29, 2011 at 9:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
I think create nailed it.
When water rates go up, so will the corresponding sewer bill, I think. Well, maybe not, maybe it's based on water usage not the rates. Kind of confusing ain't it?
The trash rates were lowered because of the reserve in that fund and they are not going to start curbside recycling service. In a year or two when they do, then the trash rates will go up.
July 29, 2011 at 11:01 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Hmmm, let me see ! In other words, thosewords, that Zimmy likes to throw around throw around a lot, such as, " Off Set, Transfer this from here to there " , actually mean nothing and it is as I thought along . He Zimmy, is just playing the old, as create put it, " Shell and Pea " game or as I say " Flim Flam " a.k.a., 1. Nonsense; humbug. 2. A deception; a swindle. tr.v. flim·flammed, flim·flam·ming, flim·flams. To swindle; cheat.
JMO, Zimmy, would seem to be the consumate " Flim Flam Man " and has apparently learned his craft well.
July 29, 2011 at 1:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )