There has been much discussion about our high taxes. Our community got a bit of relief when Lyon County commissioners paid off the Lyon county Court house early and the sales tax dropped from 8.8 to 8.3 percent.
Every little drop in taxes makes purchasing local goods and services cheaper and puts money back into citizens’ pockets.
For instance, when purchasing a new car it means hundreds of dollars of savings. Or each time a person goes shopping for groceries, the savings can be a couple of dollars — which over a year can mean thousands of dollars.
Now that our tax rate has declined we suspect there may be many groups, boards or commissions wondering if perhaps a new tax could be added back to help fund their initiatives.
The Lyon County Fairgrounds Improvement Committee has been the first group to talk about a possible tax increase to benefit the Lyon County Fairgrounds.
They have been hard at work devising plans to help improve the fairgrounds. Their improvement plans have been spurred on with the construction of the Bowyer Building.
I would presume other groups will start floating their ideas and eventually another tax increase will end up on a ballot for voters to approve.
In the meantime, enjoy the savings from our decreased tax rate because it may not last forever.
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
Sales tax collections are on the rise but, does this mean Emporia is doing more business? I say the rise in tax collections is due to inflation and when you have inflation, the sales tax man is first in line.
November 2, 2011 at 2 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Mr. Walker has a point, but besides groceries and cars and all that other stuff, he forgot these items we are saving on because of the sales tax drop. And if the sales tax goes back up so will these bills.
City Water
Cablevision
Kansas Gas
Westar Electric
Southwestern Bell (att)
All cell phone service
reddog, of course sales tax collections are on the rise. What would you expect with over 30 million dollars in insurance payments for a hail storm flooding into our area?
November 2, 2011 at 3:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
And let's not forget that 1 cent tax increase that the state instituted. (for three years only). HAH !
November 2, 2011 at 3:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jasper007 (anonymous) says...
Well, the sales tax has been dropped due to the paying off the courthouse. But it will just go back into effect if Mr. Briggs get's his way.....
November 2, 2011 at 7:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
goodoleboy (anonymous) says...
Sales tax over 8% in this town is ludicrous. I have all but made up my mind get out in a few years. The way things get done around here stinks.
November 2, 2011 at 10:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
The grass is always greener on the other side until you get there and then it is usually astroturf.
November 3, 2011 at 12:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
IF I WOULD EVER LEAVE EMPORIA.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGU3OG...
November 3, 2011 at 1:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
O.K. county commissioners.
Try to read this article and understand it.
http://ap.cjonline.com/pstories/us/20...
November 3, 2011 at 4:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
FROM THE STORY :
DENVER — An off-year tax vote in Colorado this week likely sent a powerful message to policymakers nationwide who are wondering if voters will consider paying more for services they say they want.
The answer: No way.
Voters here resoundingly rejected the only statewide tax hike on ballots this November, a slight temporary increase in sales and use taxes to shore up public schools decimated by years of budget cuts. In all corners of the state Tuesday, Coloradans also swatted down proposed local tax hikes on dozens of local questions on everything from building a new recreational center in a Denver suburb to hiring a second full-time police officer in a small western Colorado town.
"Taxpayers in this battleground are not in the mood for more tax-and-spend sinkholes," wrote conservative columnist Michelle Malkin after the statewide school vote lost.
Even some who expected Colorado's tax vote to fail seemed surprised by how badly it lost. The measure passed in just three of the state's 64 counties; overall it lost by nearly 30 percentage points, an electoral blowout.
"People in Colorado, and people all over America, are generous, decent people. If they have money to put toward something important, they'll spend their money on it. Right now, they just don't have the money. Everyone's hurting, everyone's just trying to hold on," said Colorado Republican Rep. Cheri Gerou, one of the Legislature's budget-writers.
"Right now there's a great reluctance" to raise taxes, Hickenlooper said.
Still, Colorado's stark results were a shock for tax backers who hoped voters are so tired of lowered public services that they'd be willing to talk about taxes.
"Bottom line, we have a situation where the services people expect for their communities cannot be funded in the current framework," said Carol Hedges, director of the Colorado Fiscal Policy Institute, which pushed unsuccessfully for the statewide school tax.
The Colorado vote came after the state, like many others, ratcheted back school funding in response to declining tax receipts.
"Structural problems take some time to be created, and they take some time to be resolved," Charlie Brown said. "It's a little overwhelming for policy makers right now."
Colorado State University political scientist John Straayer put it even more bluntly.
"This isn't rocket science — the economic and political circumstances are not favorable to these
November 3, 2011 at 4:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
goodoleboy (anonymous) says...
Steve,
$100 bill says by Spring the sales tax gets raised again. Until this town gets it's arse in gear and lowers sales tax under 8% every dime I spend will be spent in KC or online.
November 3, 2011 at 8:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
How about a blast from the past on yet another county sales tax?
http://www.emporiagazette.com/news/20...
So how has the mil-levy done in the past few years?
November 3, 2011 at 3:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Lyon County total levy
(if you live in Emporia)
2006----147.337
2007----149.296
2008----143.833 woopie
2009----148.020
2010----156.503
2011----161.352
So it appears to me, that the 1st year after the tax vote our levy did go down. But it has gone up since.
Thank goodness for this sales tax or those rich greedy land barons would be paying about 200 mils. With the sales tax it's up to the poor people to carry the load when they buy their groceries.
If my figures are off, let me know. I'm not a government book keeper any more.
November 3, 2011 at 3:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sail (anonymous) says...
hmmm, , how many county ,city employees were there in 1980,,,,, how many city, county employees do we have now......its not a surprise why we have ever increasing taxs.
November 3, 2011 at 4 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
b3bill (anonymous) says...
@sail: A good explanation of the the employment level comparison would be interesting to hear.
@Steve_Corbin: A few months back you posted on here asking how many Lyon County employees had lost their jobs due to downsizing as a result of the poor economy. If the answer was posted here, I must have missed it. Did you ever get an answer?
Having someone retire at the time they choose, and they not be replaced, doesn't count in the downsizing numbers. I'm talking about an employee who was given notice that their job would be ending because of budget problems, just like so many others around here have experienced.
I don't like seeing people lose their jobs, but when the economy remains so sour, and so many local folks (i.e. taxpayers) have lost their jobs, it's tough for me to see a tax-supported entity the size of the county not have to cut back staff, if indeed they haven't. Then for a county commissioner(s) to be saying they need more money, but continue to spend so much at the Fairgrounds because of the Boyer building and that being the trigger to wanting to be spending even more there, is quite irritating.
November 3, 2011 at 4:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
goodoleboy (anonymous) says...
Can't polish a turd folks, this town is bleeding jobs and populace at an unprecedented rate. Adding more fluff to the Bowyer building, rocks, courthouses, Fanestils, etc, where does it end? This town is going to take another hit with Dolly Madision, what do sane people do when they know hard times are ahead? Our city has done the exact opposite and they will come crying to us for a bailout, I for one don't plan on being around for it.
November 4, 2011 at 12:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
b3bill,
No I never did hear the figures.
With regard to the Bowyer building,
(or whatever they are calling it now),
I could understand some expenditure of taxpayers funds to make sure it was done right and built to last. But when it is completed, so should the taxpayer dollars be stopped on improvements.
No tax dollars for improvements and NO SALES TAX PERIOD. If the funds cannot be raised privately by the fair board for improvements they should be put on hold until such time the money can be raised.
November 4, 2011 at 6:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
goodoleboy,
Is that dolly move coming this January or 2013?
November 4, 2011 at 6:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
netloafer (anonymous) says...
I spoke with someone in county government. I was told that the issue is being floated because commissioners failed to see cost over-runs for infrastructure on Bowyer building. The cost over-runs are on the magnitude of seven figures. Was also told that the problem stemmed from incomplete engineering study. I don't know whether or not that's true. I do know there's going to be an expectation on the part of government that we pay for the mistakes.
November 4, 2011 at 7:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
If that is true, netloafer, then that story needs to be told. The fact that the engineering study was incomplete is big news, especially if it is going to cost in the 7 figures. Thanks for revealing this. I wish the Gazette had an investigative reporter. Well, they used to, but they never used her like they should have.
November 4, 2011 at 7:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
netloafer (anonymous) says...
Create:
Me too. Unfortunately, this is a very interconnected city in terms of leadership. The digging gets difficult when everyone is either friends with everyone else or has professional connections. I suspect that one of the words most often uttered in polite company around here is "Shhhhhhh."
November 4, 2011 at 7:34 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
goodoleboy (anonymous) says...
Steve,
My sources said Jan 2012, either way though, does it really matter with the shape the place is in? Its a matter of time.
November 4, 2011 at 9:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Just wondering, it's only 3 months away.
Another 50 or so jobs lost. I wonder if the city and county are aware of this? They sure are spending money like they don't.
November 4, 2011 at 11:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
create and netloafer,
We did have an extra 3 months of the old sales tax money from the courthouse left that was supposed to go for cost overruns. If that is spent than the county should stop.
And it's no wonder we listen to rumors and gossip, nothing of substance is reported.
Not sure if it's a lack of reporters, or just part of the "GOOD OLE BOYS" club.
November 4, 2011 at 11:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
netloafer (anonymous) says...
Steve
I don't know what to tell you. I think if we disagree on anything it would be the nature of a solution. I've pretty much arrived at the idea that there's nothing to stop things and the only solution is to let it all implode under its own weight. The relationship between the people and their government at all levels and their massive bureauacracies has become so co-dependent that it is all but imposssible to untangle it.
I hope I'm wrong, but government seems to be doing all in its power to confirm my worst fears.
Some comfort, eh?
November 4, 2011 at 11:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
But I do know that if and when this idea of the sales tax is floated IT needs to be defeated.
Let the mil-levy go up for all of us that own property. It won't effect us as near as much as the big dogs who own lots of property and businesses and 300 K homes.
As long as government can keep using sales taxes for operations of any kind we middle and low income people are going to pay more than the rich. How many of these "leaders" shop for clothing in Emporia and pay it's tax? Certainly not the ones who wear suits.
November 4, 2011 at 11:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
You're absolutely right, Steve. I happen to know of several people who shop out of town for clothing and that includes wives and kids who just have to have the latest style of this, that and the other. That includes HAIRCUTS by the way. So much for Shop Emporia First.
While we're on that subject, how many high end shops are there in Emporia to begin with?
Wow, that many huh?
November 4, 2011 at 1:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sail (anonymous) says...
With the average wage in Emporia being thousands lower than the state average, how can you expect Emporia to support anything high end,we only have one restaurant in town that even have tablecloths...... and im not so sure on that either.......................!! ITS A WAGE THING. is it happy hour yet,I need an attitude adjustment,HAVE A GREAT DAY IN EMPORIA.
November 4, 2011 at 3:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
sail and create,
That is my point on this sale tax thing.
FOR THE LAST DECADE we have been told that sales tax increases would keep our property taxes low and
" SPREAD THE COST OF GOVERNMENT AROUND"
to everyone, even the out of town people coming through.
It has been a downright lie and we keep falling for it.
if you consider the possibility that most of the movers and shakers in Emporia go out of town for their duds and weekend entertainment they really don't care about the sales tax rates. The higher the sales tax the lower their property tax.
Now all these great ideas to make Emporia a better place and bringing or keeping industry here cost money.
So if the property tax was raised to pay for all of these great ideas would we have so many of them?
Who pays more in Emporia Sales Tax?
The big dog who spends time out of the city, buying. Or the poor person who is stuck in town.
Who pays more in property tax? The average homeowner with the average house? Or the millionaire with several properties in the county?
So the next time someone is pushing a sales tax increase to you, ask them how much property they own.
November 4, 2011 at 4:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sail (anonymous) says...
Pt well penned Steve,starve the beast , NO NEW TAXS.
November 4, 2011 at 9:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Just a heads up, Steve. Earlier this morning, I watched a news program that featured one of the state senators of Kansas (Wichita) who spoke of some of the issues coming up in the next session.
One is KPERS, another is a change in districts, and here's the big one -- County Sales Tax. All kinds of stuff attached to that one.
Oh yeah, the beast is in its cave right now, but in January they let it out.
November 5, 2011 at 6:31 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Another blast from the past on tax increases:
http://www.emporiagazette.com/news/20...
Any comment Scott?
November 5, 2011 at 7:07 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
I hope the above link does not disappear from the archive pages like the last one did.
If Chris keeps deleting them there won't be any record of the Gazette ever publishing a story.
November 5, 2011 at 7:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Will this link to a Gazette editorial on the tax in 2008 survive?
In the article Patrick Kelly supports the tax using the same old song, lead by the rich Emporia property owners.
http://www.emporiagazette.com/news/20...
You will note that part of his argument is : yes a sales tax is unfair to the poor, and does not bother the wealthy. and he states something like the 'sales tax comes in dribs and drabs that are largely unnoticed.'
please click on the link and copy and paste the entire article for future reference.
November 5, 2011 at 7:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
It would seem to me that at least one past article was being pulled from the Gazette archives regarding the tax issue. Maybe it's my computer?
Assurances were made in the past that we could hold our elected officials accountable if they did not keep their promises on how tax dollars would be spent.
How can we hold those officials accountable when the news accounts of their statements begin to disappear?
November 5, 2011 at 8:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
good morning create,
It would not surprise me in the least if this county tax was sneaked in somehow without a vote of the people. I think they have been studying on how to do it for a while now.
And the local powers that be do have some "friends" in the state legislature.
There is no doubt in my mind on where the owner of the Gazette and the local radio stations stand on this sales tax issue. They own several million dollars worth of real estate.
They can come up with lots of ideas on how to spend tax dollars. They just don't want to be the ones paying the taxes.
November 5, 2011 at 8:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Wichitawings (anonymous) says...
Why don't we just have Clint come in and do another fund raiser for the Fair Ground improvements, after all it is the building of the "Bower Building" that started all of this, and from what I have seen it doesn't look like it will hold very many people. Besides I doubt that the common man will be able to afford to hold an event in it anyway. If Clint or Casey really want something there then come up with some more money.
November 5, 2011 at 10:34 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Wichitawings (anonymous) says...
I am also like goodoleboy and spend most of my money on major purchases online or in Wichita (7.3% tax rate), before paying the higher taxes in Emporia. Unfortunately can't do that on food or fuel. Emporia really needs to look at what the commissioners are spending their money on and decide do we really need that, pretty soon we won't even be able to afford a house due to the property taxes, since it seems the only ones who pay it are the homeowner and small businesses.
November 5, 2011 at 10:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Hey, everyone, hows everybody doing ! I haven' t posted anything for a while, as I have been under the weather and spent a day in NRH.
If you will remember, when this story about the cost of the Bowyer Building and the improvements needed to get the " Thing " built, I stated at that time that it seemed that noone was keeping track of possible " Cost Overruns, etc. " and it would seem that my assumptions were " True " . The thing to do on any building or construction project, no matter who is paying the bill, it is more prudent to have a " Cost Overrun " committee, board or individual to keep track of wasted time, money, etc., and to keep things moving along without the possiblility of cost overruns or delays . And these delays only add to the " Cost Overruns amount " .
Did anyone notice, that there was about two weeks during really good weather, when there was absolutely nothing being done on the Bowyer Building or site improvements ? What was that all about ? Delays in construction of any kind usually ends up costing someone money and in this case it is going to be the taxpayers .
This whole Bowyer thing and the Fanestil thing is, in my opinion, what is known in the military as a supreme " Cluster F_ck " !
If things are planned and done properly, with oversight and cost overrun and delay safeguards/management put in place and agreements on who will bear the cost of such extra costs, agreed to in writing and signed by all parties, such extra expenses as mentioned, would fall to being " paid for " by the correct responsible parties involved in the project.
This Bowyer Building project and the " Fanestil Fiasco " are two prime examples of poor study, planning, management and proper thorough study and a perfect example of " Putting the Cart before the Horse " !
However, it would seem that it is very easy to spend other peoples money and not give a damn !
JMO
November 5, 2011 at 11:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Oh, yea, the fantastic Bowyer Building is not going to be that much larger than the Anderson Building !
JMO
November 5, 2011 at 12:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
http://kansas.watchdog.org/3488/studi...
if we play our cards right and can hold on long enough, by the end of 2013 Emporia could enjoy a 6.5% sales tax. Do away with the RDA tax in 2024 and drop to 5.5%
November 5, 2011 at 5:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
goodoleboy (anonymous) says...
Thanks for the laugh Steve, you and I both know its not happening.
November 5, 2011 at 8:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
QUESTION:
If the 8% tax at the liquor store is considered a "SIN TAX",
What is the 8.3% tax at the grocery store considered?
;>)
November 6, 2011 at 7:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Poverty rate in the U.S. higher than thought ?
I know the commissioners read these threads, they should check out this link and listen for the report tomorrow.
http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/p...
November 6, 2011 at 6:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
OUR TAX BILLS ARE HERE !
OUR TAX BILLS ARE HERE!
How's that sales tax working for you?
November 14, 2011 at 4:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Welcome back, methusla. Sorry you were under the weather, but it sounds like you are in your usual shape once again. Good to have you back.
November 15, 2011 at 5:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tourguide (anonymous) says...
Somebody should have ask Clint to get his buddy Blake Shelton to do a concert last weekend when they were in town hunting. That could have been a donation from Blake & also a tax write off. Blake is not one of my clients so I could not approach him.. Or Clint can write a check....
November 15, 2011 at 6:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
neighbor (anonymous) says...
Haven't posted in a long time, but see things have not changed one bit. People complained about the fairgrounds being ugly, now that new building are going up and things are happening they are not happening fast enough or are costing too much, sales and property taxes and local politics same ole same ole there, he said she said, the village idiot is still posting useless-mindless links, and the same folks stirring the pot. Happy Thanksgiving week folks. And BTW, Clint and Blake won't be around here for another week until rifle season starts.
November 22, 2011 at 2:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )