Editor’s Note: Because You Asked is a feature where we answer your questions.
Q On Jan. 17, the Gazette published a story about the Emporia Recreation Commission studying the possibility of a new ball park complex. It mentioned a 4 mill property tax increase. Can you clarify what the tax situation is for the Emporia Recreation Center?
A Taxpayer dollars for funding the Emporia Recreation Center funnel through the Emporia School Board. Emporia School board members oversee and approve the mill levy for the Emporia Recreation Commission.
Historically, the Emporia Recreation Commission has been allowed 4 mills of taxpayer money.
About a year ago there were discussions between the Emporia School Board and ERC about the need for additional funding to help support facilities, provide programming and build reserves for future repair projects.
So, in June 2010 the Emporia School Board approved a four mill increase (they are allowed a maximum of eight mills). Right now the Emporia Recreation Center is using 6.5 mills of their eight mills.
The ERC is holding discussions on building a new baseball/softball complex in northwest Emporia by the Jones Aquatic Center. The park would have eight fields. Four large multi-purpose fields and four smaller youth fields. The complex would also have a concession stand, walking and biking trails and a playground. The new facility would replace those fields which have been found unsafe for play. The Emporia Recreation Center hopes the additional fields will attract tournaments, and thereby visitors to the area. Currently, the Emporia Recreation Center does not offer adult softball in the spring or fall due to the lack of fields.
The price estimate for the complex is $6.5 million dollars. The ERC is currently seeking grants to help off-set about half of the cost for taxpayers.
If the Emporia Recreation Commission proceeds with their plan they will likely need to use their remaining 1.5 mills that they are allowed and will reach their cap of 8 mills.
Any additional mills for the ERC would need to go before the Emporia School Board board for approval.
Because You Asked is for readers with questions on topics of local interest. Questions may be sent to The Emporia Gazette, Drawer C, Emporia KS 66801 or emailed to newsroom@emporiagazette.com.
hometownkid (anonymous) says...
Has anyone but me notice we are still in a recession? That means lower property values, and less jobs. To me that means less spending. Or am I totally off base?
I don't believe that more taxes and more spending is the answer here.
January 24, 2012 at 4:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
hometownkid,
The whole " philosophy of our " so called " leaders is, " It is not impossible to " Spend " your way to prosperity or into the future and ( We Your Leaders ) absolutely know what' s best for everyone " !
JMO
January 24, 2012 at 5:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jamesbordonaro (James Bordonaro) says...
A 6.5 million ballfield(s) is excessive and not what is needed at this time. Voters should remember that school board elections can be just as important as city council races.
January 24, 2012 at 5:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
booker5m (anonymous) says...
School wants money.Red center wants money,county exten wants money where in the hello do they think we are going to get all the money?
January 24, 2012 at 5:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
booker5m, they believe that since they have gotten the money from the taxpayers, thru " chicanery ", misinformation ( lying ), smoke and mirrors and " under the table/behind closed door meetings for so long -- they believe that they can still get all the money they need ( to spend on what they " want " ) by using the same old " tricks " !
JMO
January 24, 2012 at 10:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
"The new facility would replace those fields which have been found unsafe for play."
How did those fields become unsafe for play and why was no attention paid to them over the years? I can't help thinking that they have been ignoring those fields all these years because they have been planning this giant complex all along.
4 simple words: we can't afford it. We have been mill levied out of the ballpark.
January 25, 2012 at 7:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
goodoleboy (anonymous) says...
With what is going to come to pass with Brownback's education plan why is this even a consideration right now? What is the damn hurry? There are enough 'ifs" out there right now that are potential landmines.
January 25, 2012 at 10:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hometownkid (anonymous) says...
I have lived in emporia a long time and here is what I remember about ball fields.
We had ball field on south ave. they got taken out, we had ball fields in jones park. They go taken out. We had ball fields, more any way at peter pan park. they got taken out. all after trustler was built. Now we need more ball fields!!! Kinda sounds dumb if you ask me. But no one did.
And great post booker " where in the hello do they think we are going to get all the money?"
January 25, 2012 at 10:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )