How to best manage the city’s vacant and dilapidating properties is a question Emporia City Commissioners are currently pondering.
During their recent study session Wednesday morning, commissioners were updated on the city’s ordinances in place to address said properties by City Attorney Christina Montgomery. According to Montgomery, the city’s current ordinance requires any vacant properties to be registered with the city of Emporia.
She says this allows the city to remain in contact with property owners to help mitigate any potential hazards to the safety and well-being of community members.
At this time, Montgomery says they do not have exact figures on how many properties fit the description of vacant or dilapidated or how much money the city has collected in recent years through the registration program. With that in mind, commissioners also overheard a proposal Wednesday from PROCHAMPS, a Florida-based company that assists with property registration and facilitates communication with owners at no cost to the city.
City Chief Building Inspector Kory Krause says the partnership could be beneficial not only to the city but his department as well. He says shortages in staffing has limited the reach of the city’s code services department.
Following the presentations, commissioners gave direction for city staff to begin compiling information for three possibilities, increasing city code services staff, a partnership with PROCHAMPS or simply dropping the city’s current ordinance. Additional conversations are expected to take place during the commission’s next scheduled study session.
In other business, with the budget season in full swing at this time City Treasurer Janet Harouff had a few items to bring to the commission’s attention as budget planning continues. As part of the 2021 legislative session, lawmakers passed Senate Bill 13 which included a revenue-neutral rate which means dollars that “taxing entities” receive will remain flat for the coming fiscal year.
However; the City of Emporia can raise certain revenues to cover any debt-related obligations or financial needs if needed according to Harouff so long as they meet certain requirements.
Additionally, Harouff discussed incoming federal dollars through the American Rescue Plan. Harouff says the city is expected to receive just over $3 million in funds through the plan that can be used for responding to direct COVID-19 impacts, providing premium pay for essential workers, providing government services to address any reduction in revenue — which the city did not see — or to improve water sewer and broadband infrastructure.
Harouff anticipates a first draft of the 22 budget should be ready for viewing by the commission’s Jul. 14 study session.
City Commissioners are set to reconvene for an action session next Wednesday at 7 pm inside the Municipal Courtroom at White Auditorium.
