The Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce now has until early next year to secure funding for the purchase of the former Maynard Early Childhood Education Center following the USD 253 Emporia Board of Education meeting Wednesday night.
Board members approved an extension of the building’s closing date to January 11, 2024, at the request of Chamber President and CEO Jeanine McKenna. Since entering into an agreement for the purchase of the building, the chamber has pursued several grant opportunities to secure $2.5 to $3 million to cover both the listing price – $265,000 – and needed renovations to convert the space into a 24/7 daycare facility.
While none of those opportunities have panned out, McKenna stated Wednesday night that the Department of Children and Families recently announced a second round of grants which the chamber is planning to apply for. She says despite missing out on previous opportunities, she is very confident they will secure the needed funds within the new timeframe.
Wednesday’s extension came against a recommendation by Coldwell Banker Emporia Real Estate, the district’s real estate agent in the matter. Jamie Sauder of Coldwell recommended the district deny the extension and instead pursue a secondary offer of $275,000, $10,000 higher than the chamber’s offer.
Sauder says the prospective buyer has intentions of repurposing the building, however, he could not divulge further details. This did not sit well with board member Jeremy Dorsey who stated he could not sign off on a deal if he does not know all of the details included.
Board President Jamie Reever added the situation has become more complicated by Senate Bill 113 which gives the state legislature first right of refusal on any district plans to liquidate property. The legislature has a 45-day period to make a ruling on such deals, however, those decisions can only be made when the legislature is in session, meaning regardless of the direction the district pursues it would be in a holding pattern on the sale.
In other business, the district finalized its 2024 budget following separate unanimous votes for both the budget and the district’s intention to exceed the revenue-neutral rate for the coming fiscal year. The district’s budget includes a $36 million total with a maximum spending authority of more than $119 million and a mill levy rate of 54.929 mills.
The district’s mill levy is the second highest rate behind Lyon County’s 57.783 mills and just above the city’s 43.5 mills.
The USD 253 Board of Education will reconvene for its next regular meeting on Wednesday, September 27 at 6:30 pm inside of the Mary Herbert Education Center.
