A combination plan for funding and construction of a new Emporia recreation center will now go before Emporia City Commissioners following action by the Emporia Recreation Commission Monday evening.
As part of the ERC’s monthly meeting agenda, commissioners approved a formal recommendation asking for a half-cent to one-cent sales tax increase to be placed on a future election ballot to help fund the creation of a new rec center facility. The location of said future facility has yet to be determined, however, Assistant Director of Rec Operations Amanda Gutierrez says there are several locations being considered at this time.
Gutierrez adds the funding source has been the biggest piece of the puzzle to this point.
Emporia City Commissioners will now review the recommendation and have the final say on whether or not to place the issue on an election ballot. Regardless of what decisions are made in the future, ERC staff and task force members alike have expressed a desire to see the current rec facility remain in use in some capacity.
Based on 2022 sales tax revenues, the ERC estimates the sales tax could generate between $570,000 to $600,000 per year if approved. The sales tax, if approved, would not be allowed to exceed 20 years.
In other business Monday, commissioners considered and later tabled a discussion on forming a rec commission advisory committee in partnership with the city of Emporia. Rec Commissioner and Mayor of Emporia Susan Brinkman says the committee’s creation was proposed by the city commission after 11 individuals applied to fill the vacant seat on the ERC left by longtime member Dave Harding.
Aaron Trelc was chosen to fill that position, however, Brinkman says the city did not want to see the other individuals who applied not be utilized in some way.
Brinkman will take the matter, and recommendations from the ERC, back to city commissioners for additional conversations on the potential formation of a committee.
Separately Monday, commissioners also tabled a discussion on what to do with more than $600,000 allocated to the ERC as phase two of the Federal Paycheck Protection Program. Commissioners wanted additional time to research current interest rates and all potential investment options on how to best put those dollars to use before making a decision.
Action could be taken on the matter during a special meeting in October, the date for which has not yet been announced. The Emporia Recreation Commission will next convene for its regular monthly meeting on Monday, October 16 at 5:30 pm inside of the Lee Beran Recreation Center.
