Lyon County Commission
By Brandy Nance
Originally published 07:58 a.m., June 22, 2011
Updated 10:22 a.m., June 22, 2011
The Lyon County Commissioners met this morning. They addressed the following:
8:15 a.m.
Commissioners are reviewing the minutes of last week's action session.
8:30 a.m.
Chip Woods, Lyon County engineer, discussed a letter from the Kansas Department of Transportation Road Safety Audit
9 a.m.
Bruce Boettcher of BG Consultants requested payment No. 3 for Rural Water District No. 1’s in the amount of $72,774.79 for water infrastructure improvements. The money is from a Community Development Block Grant.
10 a.m.
Commissioners discussed the FEMA grant being used to relocate Fanestil Meats out of a flood plain. An extension has been requested on the relocation of the factory. If an extension is granted it will be one-time only and no additional money will be alloted to the project other than what has already been issued.
10:05 a.m.
Greg Jordan, executive director of the Lyon County Historical Society, asked commissioners for to return the $100,000 annual funding.
Jordan said the Historical Society was founded almost 75 years ago by citizens concerned that area history was being lost.
“Each year board members and volunteers contribute thousands of hours,” Jordan said. “The most important thing about the Lyon County Historical Society is we’re all about service to patrons.”
Jordan added that the Historical Society provided presentations to more than 1,500 Lyon County school kids this past May.
“It’s not just about the money,” he said. “We are an important economic engine and a source of pride in Lyon County.”
10:20 a.m.
Commissioners also discussed improvements at the Lyon County Fairgrounds. Lyon County Commission Vice-Chairman Rollie Martin said about a year ago, a five-phase plan for the fairgrounds was presented. The first phase included the Bowyer Community Building, which is well underway. The second phase includes infrastructure improvements to the fairgrounds including sewer, lights, water, ect.
County Controller Dan Slater said there are several options to fund the improvements, including the county’s multi-year capital outlay fund, but that fund is running low. Other options include raising taxes or borrowing money. Slater said none of those options are optimal.
“The problem is you have to pay it back,” Slater said, of borrowing money.
Slater said he would like to look at some type of solution involving sales tax on a long-term basis for many projects including the jail improvements, fairgrounds and other infrastructure needs.
Martin said plans for the improvements are long-term in five to 10 years or more.
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
LMAO !
Looks like another use for the soon to be expired 1/2 cent sales tax has been discovered.
June 22, 2011 at 11:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
SERIOUSLY !
Don't you guys feel just a little bit bad?
Such a great job in paying off the courthouse bonds early and now talking about replacing that tax with another 1/2 cent sales tax for infrastructure .
Have you seen the latest census or job figures ?
How many foreclosures in Lyon county as of today?
Have you seen the stock and commodities markets TODAY?
Can you give us a break for a year?
Or are you going to raise taxes again and see how many more people will leave Emporia and Lyon County in the next ten years?
These questions could apply to the city commission also.
June 23, 2011 at 8:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )