The Emporia City Commission adopted its 2019 budget and also its five-year budget during Wednesday evening’s action meeting.
The 2019 budget totals just over $57 million encompassing 14 funds with the General Fund totaling $23 million. The overall mill rate remained flat and commissioners are crediting dollars from the countywide sales tax approved in 2014 which has allowed the city to invest in infrastructure improvements. That’s key says city commissioner Rob Gilligan as they work toward fixing some of the city’s long-term needs.
As for concerns, Gilligan says the city must continue conversations to stay competitive in hiring quality personnel but balancing those expenses to not create too high of a tax burden. Part of that includes finding personnel efficiencies.
The five-year budget was also approved and City Treasurer Janet Harouff noted the city is spending anywhere between $500,000 to $700,000 in capital expenditures. Sales tax is flat and no mill levy increases are expected. This is the fifth year the city has done a five-year budget.
Also approved was a memorandum of understanding to allow Haag Development to begin its $6.5 million redevelopment and development of the Citizens National Plaza and Preston Plaza and Lofts. Both will be mixed-use buildings with residential and commercial tenants. Gilligan says over the past 25 years more than $100 million has been invested downtown and Haag Development is a major reason for that success.
The total public investment is $332,500 which will facilitate construction of a 10-inch water line on the south side of 6th from Merchant to the east side of Commercial. Sidewalk replacement on Merchant, 6th and Commercial and rebuilding of the alley adjacent to the project between Commercial and Merchant also will take place. Construction could begin next year with completion in the summer of 2020.
In other business, the city commission approved a resolution and adoption of a Title VI plan, a fiscal sustainability plan for the wastewater program and authorized the city manager to make an appointment to the Flint Hills Advisory Council.
