November 1, 2021 Commission Minutes

GOODLAND CITY COMMISSION

Regular Meeting

November 1, 2021 5:00 P.M.

Mayor John Garcia called the meeting to order with Vice-Mayor Jay Dee Brumbaugh, Commissioner Aaron Thompson, Commissioner J. J. Howard and Commissioner Gary Farris responding to roll call.

Also present were Dustin Bedore – Director of Electric Utilities, Frank Hayes – Chief of Police, Joshua Jordan – IT Director, Kenton Keith – Director of Streets and Facilities, Danny Krayca – Director of Parks, Mary Volk – City Clerk and Kent Brown – City Manager.

Mayor Garcia led Pledge of Allegiance

Approval of Agenda – ON A MOTION by Vice-Mayor Brumbaugh to approve Agenda as presented seconded by Commissioner Howard. MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0.

PUBLIC COMMENT

CONSENT AGENDA

10/18/21 Commission Meeting Minutes
10/25/21 Special Commission Meeting Minutes
Appropriation Ordinances: 2021-21, 2021-21A, and 2021-P21
Authorization to Apply for KDOT Public Transportation Assistance Grant

ON A MOTION by Commissioner Farris to approve Consent Agenda seconded by Commissioner Thompson. MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0.

FORMAL ACTIONS

REPORTS

City Manager – 1. I met with department heads last week, keep moving ahead.
City Commissioners

Vice-Mayor Brumbaugh – 1. I continue to talk to people about sales tax question on the ballot. Some are not aware of issue and have not heard about it, which is concerning. Kent’s message ended up on page four of the newspaper which is unfortunate. People need to know impact on their property taxes. Kent stated, in the ballot issue they estimate $1,530,000 annually in revenue. If the question were to continue with the tax being split the same as current sales tax, the tax would generate $424,881 for City road projects. If we replace that amount with property tax, based on 2022 budget, it results in a 12.11 increase in mills. To give the public an idea what this issue will do with taxes, residential property with an assessed value of $75,000 would be an increase of $105; $100,000 increases $140; $150,000 increases $209; $200,000 increases $278 annually for twenty years. If County proposal that excludes City passes, the City could either raise taxes or ask voters for their own increase in sales tax. Commercial property is affected as well and rated at 25% so increases would be $277, $302, $454 and $605 annually. It is twice as much as a residential property. Properties with higher assessed values will continue to increase. I understand we would have to use two to three years of tax to finance a project or get a bond issue. Kent stated, I asked Andrew Brunner, EBH Engineer, for cost to replace a city block. Andrew stated, looking at 8^th Street, width varies between 46 and 50 feet and average block is 400 feet. With new base, curb and gutter and concrete pavement estimate is $300,000. Costs could be less but we need 8”of concrete. My estimate is based on bids from 2^nd and 17^th Street projects. Kent stated, citizens need to know the estimated cost for street project. One year revenue from sales tax is estimated at $424,000 at the same split, that is a little more than the cost for one block. To say it cannot come from sales tax makes it difficult for City. Vice-Mayor Brumbaugh stated, I am figuring we have 21 to 25 blocks between Caldwell and 8^th Street, which will put us in line if proposal is voted down. We can go back to the table with the County to get same proposal as last time. It is a great opportunity and I feel citizens should vote question down and go back with City and County working together on issue. It would not have to be a long conversation; could be a special election or a November election. There was not a pressing matter to get it done. If someone lives inside City there is no reason to vote for this. I am not saying the county projects are not important because they are. To say the same tax is continuing, the City has to be involved to make it fair and not shift the burden on the City and employees. There is nowhere else to cut budgets, they have been cut so much. If question passes we would have to increase the mill, and that amount is unheard of. I do not like that this has put us on opposite teams because we are one community. The biggest thing to know is that this is a current tax but distribution is different, City gets nothing while the County gets 100%. I encourage a no vote.

Commissioner Thompson – 1. Well said, I agree please vote.

Commissioner Howard – 1. I agree, vote no to help City.

Commissioner Farris – 1. I agree.

Mayor – 1. I have been doing numbers, time table is most critical the way this was done; however, City Manager and I attended County meeting. The substance of our conversation was productive. We are not saying Highway 24 does not need to be done, but 85% of county residents live in City, as well as voters. As Commissioners we have a responsibility to City citizens and our streets need to be done. The County committed if question is voted down they would be interested in discussion. Kent stated, they indicated if question went down there would be serious conversations to increase sales tax to 9.25 or 9.5% to cover increasing costs. Mayor Garcia stated, many citizens have houses appraised at $300,000 or more plus a business. This will be a deciding factor for many businesses on Main Street as many cannot sustain a hit like this. If question passes we are going to have a lot of work to do in the City. When you raise property taxes it is not easy for voters. If question does not pass we need to move aggressively with County on streets and costs. Costs will continue to change daily, look at oil costs. It was a good meeting with the County. Kent stated, the County said we need to wait for results as they could not do anything legally now.

ADJOURNMENT WAS HAD ON A MOTION BY Vice-Mayor Brumbaugh seconded by Commissioner Farris. Motion carried by unanimous VOTE, meeting adjourned at 5:20 p.m. Next meeting is scheduled for November 15, 2021.

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ATTEST: John Garcia, Mayor

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Mary P. Volk, City Clerk