There will be no increase in water tap fees for the city of Emporia, at least not at this time.
A motion to approve an increase in the one-time fee from $126 to $1,100 failed by a vote of 2-2 Wednesday afternoon. Mayor Rob Gilligan and Commissioner Susan Brinkman voted against the motion.
Gilligan stated last week that he feels the increase will be a deterrent to future housing development within the city. Gilligan proposed an alternate increase to $300 which failed prior to the vote on the original increase proposal.
Gilligan felt the alternate proposal was more reasonable whereas the increase to $1,100 was a “solution looking for a problem.”
According to City Treasurer Janet Harouff, the increase was necessary in order to offset the cost of installation for the water tap itself and related equipment. Commissioner Becky Smith voted in favor of the resolution, along with commissioner Danny Giefer, saying while the proposed increase is a significant one, Emporia’s fees would still rank lower than many other communities of similar size across the state.
Discussions on a potential fee increase are expected to continue during the commission’s next regular study session. Commissioner Jon Geitz was not in attendance for Wednesday’s meeting.
In other business, commissioners conducted a brief public hearing, following which they approved a request from Emporia State Federal Credit Union to override a decision by the State Historic Preservation Office prohibiting the demolition of a liquor store located at 727 Merchant Street. ESFCU recently purchased the former BLI Rental facility located at 715 Merchant, adjacent to the liquor store building.
ESFCU President Angie Miller says the additional space will allow the bank to expand its services in the future if the need were to arise.
Word on when demolition will commence is currently pending. The building is located in Emporia’s historic downtown district and the proposed project was originally denied by SHPO leading to the need for action by commissioners Wednesday.
Commissioners also approved the bids for the 2021 Street Rehab Project and the city’s South Exchange Street Project.
Gilligan also presented two proclamations, the first recognizing May 9-15 as National Police Week in Emporia and the second naming the month of May as Community Action Month in Emporia.
The Emporia City Commission will not convene next week.
3 pm Wednesday
Emporia city commissioners are not moving forward with a major increase in new water tap fees after all — at least, not yet.
On Wednesday, city commissioners were split 2-2, so the effort to increase tap fees from $126 to $1,100 failed. Becky Smith and Danny Giefer were in favor of the new fee amount. Rob Gilligan and Susan Brinkman voted against. Jon Geitz was not in attendance.
City staff said the goal was to offset city costs and still keep Emporia’s fee low in comparison to similar-sized cities across the state. Developers and landowners would have borne the full cost had this passed. This will see further discussion at a later time.
Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for more information.
