Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...

HEAR, HEAR Phillip !

You will be one of the 1st called when the petitions are o.k'd.

January 10, 2012 at 11:32 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

jasper007 (anonymous) says...

Thank you Mr. Mott for those figures. I'm personally against the "teaming-up" of the counties to form this new district.
The public has been "invited" to call or visit the local Extension Office to see what it's all about. PLEASE, check ALL outside information, along with the Extension's "pleas". Go to the library. Check out info on the Internet.
This could be a VERY important vote for the residents of the area Extension office. Leave no stone un-turned while "researching". Remember, there was ONE commissioner voting against this proposal. Educate yourself and make YOUR decision.

January 10, 2012 at 12:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

railroadhorn (anonymous) says...

Actually for redistricting purposes Lyon Co.'s population was downgraded another 1000 people by the secretary of state so we're at 32xxx...

January 10, 2012 at 12:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

methusla (anonymous) says...

Hmmmm, those figures are very interesting. Total population of Lyon County = 32,000. Total population of the City of Emporia = 24,000 .

That would man that 75% of Lyon County taxpayers live in the City of Emporia .

Guess who is going to get hit the hardest when the Frontier Extention District sticks its " UNLIMITED TAXING AUTHORITY " hand in the TAX COOKIE JAR ?

Could it possibly be the City of Emporia taxpayers, since they make up the largest populated area in Lyon County ?

C' mon City Commissioners let us the taxpayers of Emporia, hear if you are in favor of or against Lyon County joining an " UNLIMITED TAX AUTHORITY " District !!

The citizen taxpayers of Emporia should not " buy " into this or allow the County Commission " buy " into it either.

If combined extension districts are such a good idea, why are there only 39 counties out of 105 who have " bought " into the idea, that an " unlimited tax authority district " is a thing that is good/beneficial for everyone. Better yet why did our State legislators buy into the idea of anyone or entity have " UNLIMITED TAXING AUTHORITY " ?

An " UNLIMITED TAXING AUTHORITY" is/will benefit, only those who are doing the " TAXING " and no one else, certainly not the taxpayers .

JMO

JMO

January 10, 2012 at 5:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

sandman (anonymous) says...

Boy! What a web we have woven and how much is truly "true"? First, I would like to take a statement that was given above:
If combined extension districts are such a good idea, why are there only 39 counties out of 105 who have. With speaking with two extension board members, it is my understanding that 66 counties have done such and even though they would have unlimited taxing authority....ANY tax change would STILL need to be approved by the Lyon County commission. With zooming into the phrase "unlimited taxing authority" we seem to have forgotten that we have done so with the two water districts (Rural and Water Sheds), School Boards plus various townships, to name a few. From what I have been able to gather...basically they are wanting to join forces concerning "specialization" NOT power. Folks, these are our neighbors on these boards that we have elected, they in NO way want their taxes to go up any more then we do ours. We live in a high tech society and YES, by joining forces it would enable Lyon county to have additional knowledge and better use of our CURRENT tax dollars.

January 10, 2012 at 9:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Richie (anonymous) says...

Don't react too quickly. Consider your options. You are losing population and a skilled worforce, and for that matter, revenue. This option of joining forces might provide the hope of creating a stronger and more vibrant regional economy. Yes, bring forth the ballot measure, but don't throw out the baby with the bath water, Be sure to give sincere consideration to this proposal before voting. Thank you.

January 10, 2012 at 9:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...

Sandman,

here are kansas statutes.

http://kansasstatutes.lesterama.org/C...

January 10, 2012 at 10:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...

Bobbie Agler then came forward to address his questions and to express misgivings about the idea of districting.

Agler’s main concern was the fact that, according to the operational agreement, the district’s home county would be in Franklin County, and that’s where the district’s budget would be filed.

“So it is my understanding that the budget will be put together by the new board and then sent through Franklin county?” Agler asked.

Martin explained that, as with the budgets of all mill levy districts, the district budget would be reviewed by the county clerk and the county controller, and if they see problems they would get advice from the commission.

“So the elected members of Lyon County will be the sole contact that the residents of Lyon County will have contact with, and you as county commissioners will no longer have any control, including any say about the mill levy. Is that correct?” Agler asked.

“There has to be a public hearing,” Vopat said. “Before anything gets approved.”

“Is there going to be one public hearing, or three public hearings?” Agler asked. “Will there be a public hearing in this room on that budget, or will people have to go to Franklin County to see what the status on the budget is?”

“My perception is that by Franklin County being declared as the home county, they will be the ones to sign off on the budget,” Briggs said.

“From what I see, Franklin County is the presiding county, so that’s where everything is going to happen,” Agler said. “... One of my concerns is that this is the only proposal I’ve ever seen that puts any other governing body on the same level with you as a county commission to assess a tax on the entire county. ... As a taxpayer, I’m comfortable with the county commission doing it because I can come down and stare you in the face and get answers or talk to you on the phone or whatever, because you are elected officials.”

January 10, 2012 at 10:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...

Sandman, I will not try to change your mind, but just ask you 1 question.

It has the potential for higher taxes and less local control so shouldn't the public be able to vote on it?

2012 is an election year.

January 10, 2012 at 10:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...

Richie,

Unfortunately there has to be "quick reaction"

If the commissioners had listened to their constituents and voted against the district we wouldn't be talking about it.

Hell, they could even have voted to put the item on the primary ballot for the voters to decide.

But Nooooooooooooooooo!

They did not listen to the public and went ahead and agreed on it.

Now, we disgruntled taxpayers are forced into a 60 day window in which to do a protest petition.

The commission did a disservice to the citizens of Lyon county voting for this, and the bad part about it is some of the anger will spill over onto the extension office itself, because of it.

but so goes the democratic process.

January 10, 2012 at 10:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

sandman (anonymous) says...

Steve_Corbin, By all means the public SHOULD have the freedom to vote concerning. What I was trying to say, above, GIVE us TRUE facts!!!! No, am not in favor of giving Franklin County an override concerning Lyon County especially, when, at this time, we are the major tax provider. What I do want is COLD HARD FACTS concerning "Chain of Command" and who will be in control of EACH county, concerning taxes. Steve, even in reading what you supplied, I still PERCEIVE that the Lyon County commission will have the overall authority in Lyon County...that will NOT change. Also, by word of mouth (board members) we will STILL maintain our current Extension offices, people etc. Again I say, FACTS so we may be knowledgable when the time comes to vote, voting for what is best for the county and its people, the "TAX" PAYER!!!

January 10, 2012 at 11:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

goodoleboy (anonymous) says...

as long as this makes it to the ballot I will be happy

January 10, 2012 at 11:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

mslater (Matt Slater) says...

Even if the extension office gets unlimited taxing authority, in a few years, I'm not sure there will be anyone left TO tax...

"Interstate Bakeries Corp., filed its Chapter 11 petition in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Manhattan"

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012...

Matt

January 11, 2012 at 2:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

goodoleboy (anonymous) says...

This seems to be the elephant in the room no one is talking about Matt, this is happening and whether the Emporia plant will be phased out as part of the "restructuring effort" remains to be seen. My bet is that it will not be good they already had plans to move the office staff. This just might be a nail the coffin at the plant here.

My hope is that it is not, I know many people that work there and I would hate to see them lose their jobs, and the resulting effect and ripple effect to Emporia would be tremendous. It is events like this that should be putting our leaders on notice that they need to be conservative in ANY spending right now until they have a better picture of what local industry is going to do.

Higher taxes are just going to push more people to the cities, not to mention what is going to happen to the local real estate market, those with many holdings in Emporia, better stand up and take notice.

We are going to be so maxed out that eventually when a worthwhile employer does want to come here we won't be able to offer them anything because we tapped ourselves on crappy deals like Fanestil's, and who wants to subject their employees to metro tax rates without the amenities?

January 11, 2012 at 2:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...

This is just more horrible news.

Hate to hear it, but figured it would happen.

January 11, 2012 at 5:32 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

netloafer (anonymous) says...

Steve et all

I just got word from Tammy Vopat the the resolution will be published for the first time in today's Gazette. It will be published again on the 18th. We can begin circulating our petition on the 18th after the Gazette makes second publication.

That gives us time to dot the i's and t's before we make large number of copies and circulate.

Once we get started we need to get broad public support for bringing the issue to a vote and then reversing the commissioners' decision at the ballot box.

I don't think Emporia and Lyon county can stand another election in which 20% or less of the registered voters casts a ballot. We need a good sized turnout.

January 11, 2012 at 9:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

methusla (anonymous) says...

sandman,

Fact, 13 existing districts, 33 counties
2011

also,

Levying Taxes

2-625.
27 (c) The governing body of the extension district, in the same
28 manner as provided by law applying to other taxing subdivisions,
29 may make an annual tax levy upon all the taxable tangible
30 property of the extension district for the purpose of raising
31 funds to be used to plan and conduct the educational extension
32 programs of the extension district, to be levied and collected as
33 other taxes, at a rate fixed in accordance with the approved
34 budget and of not to exceed the greater of (1) the rate of 2.5
35 mills or (2) the rate determined to yield an amount equal to the
36 product of $75,000 multiplied by the number of counties within
37 the extension district. The governing body shall certify the levy
38 so fixed to the county clerk of each county in the extension
39 district who is hereby authorized and required to place such
40 levy on the tax rolls of the county to be collected by the county
41 treasurer and paid by the county treasurer to the treasurer of
42 the extension district.
K.S.A. 79-5040. Suspension of tax levy limitations. In 1999, and in each
44 year thereafter, all existing statutory fund mill levy rate and aggregate
45 levy rate limitations on taxing subdivisions are hereby suspended.

source, http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/library/misc2...

The above info, states that there is no limit on the tax mil levy that an Extension District can levy and collect.

K.S.A. 79-5040. Suspension of tax levy limitations. In 1999, and in each
44 year thereafter, all existing statutory fund mill levy rate and aggregate
45 levy rate limitations on taxing subdivisions are hereby suspended.

TRUE FACTS ? YOU BETCHA !

January 11, 2012 at 11:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

bluebonnet (anonymous) says...

Can someone please help me out? I feel like a total idiot, but I am not from Kansas originally and have no agricultural background. Can someone please tell me exactly what the Extension Office / Board does? What services to they provide?

My kneejerk reaction to "unlimited taxing authority" would be, you bet I'll sign your petition. But I would really like to know how this organization benefits our population before I form a final opinion.

January 11, 2012 at 2:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

create (anonymous) says...

bluebonnet,

I found this on Wikipedia. There's more there, but this is a history lesson on extension services. I found it rather interesting.

"It is not known where or when the first extension activities took place. It is known, however, that Chinese officials were creating agricultural policies, documenting practical knowledge, and disseminating advice to farmers at least 2,000 years ago. For example, in approximately 800 BC, the minister responsible for agriculture under one of the Zhou dynasty emperors organized the teaching of crop rotation and drainage to farmers. The minister also leased equipment to farmers, built grain stores and supplied free food during times of famine.[11]

The birth of the modern extension service has been attributed to events that took place in Ireland in the middle of the 19th century.[12] Between 1845–51 the Irish potato crop was destroyed by fungal diseases and a severe famine occurred (see Great Irish Famine). The British Government arranged for "practical instructors" to travel to rural areas and teach small farmer how to cultivate alternative crops. This scheme attracted the attention of government officials in Germany, who organized their own system of traveling instructors. By the end of the 19th century, the idea had spread to Denmark, Netherlands, Italy, and France.

The term "university extension" was first used by the Universities of Cambridge and Oxford in 1867 to describe teaching activities that extended the work of the institution beyond the campus. Most of these early activities were not, however, related to agriculture. It was not until the beginning of the 20th century, when colleges in the United States started conducting demonstrations at agricultural shows and giving lectures to farmer’s clubs, that the term "extension service" was applied to the type of work that we now recognize by that name.

In the United States, the Hatch Act of 1887 established a system of agricultural experiment stations in conjunction with each state's land-grant university, and the Smith-Lever Act of 1914 created a system of cooperative extension to be operated by those universities in order to inform people about current developments in agriculture, home economics, and related subjects."

Here in Kansas, our agricultural extension service is connected to K-State where all the research occurs.

January 11, 2012 at 2:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

bluebonnet (anonymous) says...

Thanks, create, I appreciate the info.

January 11, 2012 at 2:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

neighbor (anonymous) says...

I will sign the petition simply to keep our tax dollars in Lyon Co. The other two counties can fund their own programs thank you. Giving any government agency unlimited taxing authority is very unwise, it's a sure way to have more than we want or need.

January 11, 2012 at 3:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

CSD (anonymous) says...

When I switched my infant daughter to solid food, I was guided by information provided by the Extension Service. And when I decided to try my hand at canning, booklets prepared by the Extension Service ensured that no one died, either in the process or in the consumption of the preserved food.

In addition to the Extension Service, however, I'm also pretty crazy about the City of Emporia Sanitation Department, whose staff willingly and without complaint get off their truck each and every week and run to pick up my elderly mother's trash at her back door since she is now too infirm to roll the can to the curb herself. And I marvel at the efforts of the local U.S. Post Office in somehow managing to deliver a card from a child at Camp Wood addressed only our last name and city and lacking any street address.

The troubling issue at hand really has nothing whatsoever to do with the Extension Service or its valuable contributions to the community. As appreciative as I am of their services, there is no way I would consider giving the Extension Service unlimited taxing authority anymore than I would give such authority to the Sanitation Department or the local Post Office, with or without a well-intended and undoubtedly sincere promise not to abuse the privilege.

The reason for this, as Mr. Agler so eloquently points out, is that taxation -- the intricate balancing act of determining who should be taxed, how much, and how the money should be spent - is the clear and undisputed responsibility of elected officials.

I'm disappointed and, frankly, quite surprised that two County Commissioners either failed to recognize that this was their responsibility and/or chose to abdicate it.

And while our household of three registered voters - a Republican, a Democrat and an Independent - will gladly sign a petition to bring the matter of restoring the time-honored relationship between taxation and representation to the voters, it strikes me as terribly wasteful of both time and money that such an effort should be required.

January 11, 2012 at 4:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...

CSD,

Thanks for the extremely well thought out and sensible post.

January 11, 2012 at 4:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

create (anonymous) says...

Yes, CSD, a most well phrased comment.

But, as "terribly wasteful" as the effort may be to produce this petition, still, the message it sends to the commission members who promised to represent their constituents is priceless.

January 12, 2012 at 7:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

methusla (anonymous) says...

I whole heartedly agree, CSD . You have very eloquently stated my and others thoughts and feelings, much better than I could ever have done. I admit, I am not an eloquent person, just -- I like to think -- just a somewhat practical person .
However, at times I am a somewhat overly passionate person.

January 12, 2012 at 8:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Rabid_Randy (anonymous) says...

Has anyone heard anything about the Roller Derby team's petition? A couple ladies were yacking where I work and said the entire team was going to be signing a petition to get new leadership. The way they were talking it sounded like Emporia's roller derby team is going to be finished before it even gets started.

January 15, 2012 at 7:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

booker5m (anonymous) says...

I havnt heard anything since the piece in the paper. Was looking forward to seeing a match

January 15, 2012 at 7:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...

I just read the KVOE on line poll,

"Would you support a protest petition bringing Lyon County Extension's request to join the Frontier District to a public vote ?"

YES 309
NO 74
UNSURE 14
DON'T CARE 27

I can understand the 14 unsure, there are some who have no idea about this issue, and are hesitant.

The 27 who don't care is, well, that's just sad.

What does concern me is the 74 who don't support a public vote.

For the life of me I can't understand why. Isn't a public vote one of the corner stones of American rights and values?

The people who started the petition process have various reasons why they feel the extension district is a bad idea.

On the other side there are those who feel the district is a good thing.

Why wouldn't both sides of this issue sign the petition? It would give both sides time to debate and inform the voters of what they feel are the pluses or minuses of the issue and then allow the majority to cast an informed vote.

Isn't that the way our country is supposed to work?

Isn't that the way it should work

January 18, 2012 at 7:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

netloafer (anonymous) says...

Steve

We're good to go for Saturday. I'm going to get with county facilities folks today to get a look at the annex.

I'd like to give you a buzz this morning if that's alright Please let me know.

January 18, 2012 at 7:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...

GAZETTE FACEBOOK PAGE HAS THE PETITION QUESTION ON IT.

MAKE YOUR OPINION KNOWN.

January 18, 2012 at 8:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...

A public meeting will be held this Saturday at the Lyon County courthouse annex in Emporia, Kansas for people wishing to carry and sign petitions. The meeting room will be open from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.
The petition drive is a result of the county commission approving by a vote of 2-1 the Lyon County extension office joining an extension district with Franklin and Osage counties.

Organizers will need 990 signatures within 60 days to force the question to a vote of Lyon County voters in the August primary election.

January 18, 2012 at 9:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

tourguide (anonymous) says...

Steve, Im new back to town. Where is the Annex?? When I moved away we only had the old court house ...

January 18, 2012 at 2:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

netloafer (anonymous) says...

tourguide
The annex is the old courthouse. It's on the corner of 4th and Commercial. Use the handicapped entrance.

January 18, 2012 at 2:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

orlando (anonymous) says...

It is my understanding that the Roller Derby gals are reorganizing, getting a new name, and will continue to roll on. they are looking forward to competitions. starting in March, I believe.

January 18, 2012 at 9:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )