Emporia City Commissioners held extensive conversations regarding budget matters during their Wednesday morning study session.
Following an executive session regarding business from the previous week, representatives of the Convention and Visitors Advisory Board presented funding requests from outside agencies for 2020. The board met on April 14 to discuss 2020 allocations and presented the resulting list which included allocations for DK Promotions, Dynamic Discs, The Granada Theatre, Emporia Main Street and others.
For the most part, all requests were in line with recommendations from the board with the exception of the Red Rocks State Historic Site and the Emporia Arts Council. The request from the Arts Council was $15,000 while the board’s recommendation was $10,000.
The Red Rocks request was for $10,000 with the board recommending $4,000. Commissioners stated during the meeting while the site is important to the community, there is a question of just how many “heads in beds” the site generates.
Commissioner Rob Gilligan.
It was also noted during the presentation, along with the additional events the site has been working to increase it’s marketing to attract more visitors as well. Mayor Jon Geitz made the recommendation to have agreements established for all agencies which receive funding from the city essentially documenting what all of the dollars are used for.
Gilligan tells KVOE News they typically receive a broad idea of what agencies plan to do with funds, however, having a more formal agreement will be more beneficial to the city and its taxpayers in the long run.
Geitz stated he would like to have the agreements completed before the budget session begins for the city by mid-June.
In other business, commissioners received an update from the newly established land bank. The Landbank is ready to begin receiving properties and has requested the transfer of five vacant properties with no currently identified future.
These lots include:
122 Mechanic Street
502 State Street
902 Neosho Street
415 W 4th Ave
323 Rural Street
Three of those properties have also received interest from Habitat from Humanity who are planning to build two new homes in 2020. The three lots include:
122 Mechanic Street
502 State Street
902 Neosho Street
Discussions on the policy for the downtown sound system also took place during the meeting. The Emporia City Commission has moved their action session originally scheduled for next Wednesday to Wednesday, May 22 at 7 pm inside the Municipal Courtroom at White Auditorium.
