The City of Emporia is continuing its contract with the Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce for overseeing operations of Visit Emporia, but on a limited basis and with some contingencies.
During their regular study meeting Wednesday afternoon, commissioners approved a three-month extension of the operation contract, which expired on December 31, with the city to continue providing funding to the marketing agency through the chamber. The major contingency of that plan; however, is for the chamber and visit to provide a budget to commissioners by next week for review with City Mayor Becky Smith stating at one point during the meeting that they are providing funding to an agency they have no oversight of and want to ensure the Transient Guest Tax dollars, which makes up the entirety of the agency’s budget, is being spent responsibly.
According to recently appointed Visit Director Matt Fowler, the agency is operating on a $480,000 budget, again fully funded through TGT dollars, and he tells KVOE News that it is optimal for operations at this time. That said, Fowler added that he feels the city is losing ground when it comes to marketing.
Discussions on the topic did become noticeably contentious after one commissioner, Monica Duncan, expressed her “extreme displeasure” with the hiring of Fowler, specifically how Interim Chamber President Christian Kiesler allegedly did so without notifying anyone within city leadership. Duncan was unavailable for further comment following the meeting; however, her sentiments were echoed by other commissioners, including Mayor Smith.
When asked his feelings on the commission’s comments, Kiesler told KVOE News that Fowler’s hiring as full-time director was a decision he stands behind.
Fowler feels that what some viewed as tension on Wednesday is simply a display of passion for the future of the community from all parties involved.
As for moving forward, KVOE News asked Smith if she felt the perceived “rogue” action of the chamber could have any impact on future conversations for funding. She says she feels it definitely causes a trust issue.
Until recently, the Visit Emporia Director’s role was one of three interim positions within the Trussler Business Center, including the Chamber President role currently held by Kiesler and the RDA President position currently held by Interim President Lyle Butler. Wednesday’s discussions came as conversations continue among various local entities to develop a new structure for Visit Emporia, either as a single entity or as a group of entities charged with overseeing marketing for the community moving forward.
According to comments from City Manager Trey Cocking Wednesday, no physical progress has been made on that front despite several rounds of “robust” and productive discussions in recent months.
In other study matters Wednesday, commissioners reviewed the 2026 Street Rehab project, proposed changes to mobile food vendor and unit regulations, discussed the city’s Lift Station 1 and appointed a commissioner to the FHTC Interview Board and the Rec Center Steering Committee.
In action business ahead of the study meeting, commissioners approved adopting the 2025 Kansas Region 1 Hazard Mitigation plan, developed in cooperation between the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Kansas Department of Emergency Management in coordination with Lyon County Emergency Management. The plan is a 500-page document that outlines areas of concern for seven different counties, including Lyon and the city of Emporia.
According to Deputy City Manager Mark Detter, among the major areas outlined in relation to the city were normal severe weather hazards, including high winds as well as water.
In addition to providing plans and detailed information on hazard mitigation, adoption of the plan also makes the city eligible for funding through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for local projects in the future.
Also approved during the commission’s action session Wednesday was the acknowledgement of the city’s solid waste hauling provider Hamm’s Quarries buy-out by Allied Waste Systems, a subsidiary of Republic Services.
