The 2027 budget for the City of Emporia is now finalized following a series of public hearings and a unanimous vote by city commissioners Wednesday morning.
Commissioners approved the better than $86 million budget during their regular action meeting, which is $2 million higher than the previous year but comes with a flat mill levy rate of 46.007. During his presentation to the commission ahead of the public hearing and vote, City Manager Trey Cocking noted the budget will be more than enough to handle the city’s most critical services.
However, when it comes to major infrastructure improvements, Cocking stated the current budget will not be making much of a dent in that area, saying the “current funding does not keep pace with long-term infrastructure needs.”
On long-term planning, Cocking discussed the potential impact the Flint Hills Digital Campus project could have on local taxpayers if it moves forward. According to Cocking, based on information collected in recent months from other communities, the potential data center project could bring in $500 million in new assessed value, which could, in part, help with much of the mentioned deferred maintenance.
KVOE News did point out that the term “long-term” planning was appropriate for this potential use, noting the data center project, should it move forward, would be a multi-year venture just to get it operational. With this in mind, KVOE News asked Cocking just how far out the city could be before we could see any benefits from the potential increase in assessed value.
He says some of that question could be answered once a development agreement were to be negotiated, should the project reach that stage.
Ahead of the vote on the budget, commissioners held a separate hearing on the Revenue Neutral Rate before also voting unanimously to exceed the RNR for the 27 fiscal year.
In separate action, commissioners approved an extension of the Flint Hills Mall’s community incentive district tax for a period of 22 years or when “all eligible costs are met.” This will be a one-cent sales tax and, again, is not a new tax that will be added to the previous CID, which was set to expire this year, but an extension.
The main purpose of the CID, this time around, will be to support ongoing renovations to the mall and movie theatre as well as the installation of new large tenants in the mall, including Ollie’s, which is set to open to the public by November, according to mall leadership Wednesday. During the public hearing on the CID, one resident spoke in opposition to the extension, saying, “They have already had one CID at taxpayer expense. When does it stop? They have a pipeline into the taxpayer’s pocket and they just want to keep it going.”
Nick McFee of the mall ownership team told KVOE News following the meeting, in response to those statements, that the original CID was a “lifeline,” and a needed one, for the mall when it was originally issued. He says when it comes to the need, it is still there today and as for those who question the need for the extension, he says, “The proof is in the pudding.”
Mall Property Manager Dave Lewis says the retail industry is evolving and the mall is trying to evolve with it.
The CID will not go into effect until a development agreement between the city and mall is finalized, which legal representatives have said should be done within the next month.
Following their action meeting, commissioners moved into their regular study session during which time they began a discussion on E-bike and scooter safety within the community. During the monthly Q&A With Trey Tuesday, Cocking stated this is a discussion that was born out of a noticeable increase in the proliferation of personally owned motorized devices.
Cocking stated the main focus of these discussions centers around safety, including requirements for helmets, where the vehicles can travel or not travel and other similar matters. The development of any policies or procedures related to the matter will be made with the input of Emporia Police and other safety-centric entities within the community.
At this time, no policies have been drafted as Tuesday’s discussion was an initial exploration of the matter. Cocking says they should have some potential documents or suggestions ready to go by next month.
The Emporia City Commission is next scheduled to convene for its regular slate of meetings on Wednesday, October 7th at 11 am inside the Municipal Courtroom at White Auditorium.
