Kiowa City Council hears end of year review

New state law taxes golf carts as personal property

 

January 23, 2019



Kiowa's City Council met for their regular monthly meeting Jan. 14. Mayor Ron Rohr opened the meeting with the Lord's Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance with the following members present: R.L. Simpson, Russ Molz, Brian Hill and Tom Wells. Board president Bill Watson had a conflict and could not arrive at the meeting until the end, right before executive sessions were held.

City Administrator Lou Leone and City Clerk Trish Brewer also sat at the council table. Typically, longtime city attorney Lou McClellan sat at the council table. The council learned of McClellan's Dec. 22 death at age 70 and several members attended his funeral services in Anthony. Many of the councilmen said kind words about McClellan and said he is and will be missed. Leone said McClellan submitted his resignation as city attorney just a few days before he died.

When discussing the city hall remodel, resident Kem Humphrey asked the council why the public could not see the two bids submitted for the project or know who sent them. He was told by several council members at this point those bids are “irrelevant.” Humphrey also questioned why the city needs to hire an architect for a remodel. Dealing with ADA standards was one reply.

“Why is it such a secret?” Humphrey questioned.

Leone said with McClellan's death the city still did not have blueprints for the project.

“The whole project was on hold,” Leone said. He said there's many questions that cannot be answered without a blueprint.

When asked after the meeting about the bids and remodel project, Molz said, “There's no blueprint. There's no conspiracy. The bids weren't comparing apples to apples.”

Leone said that by the second week of February he “hopes” to put the project out for bid.

Personal Property Tax on Golf Carts Outrages Many

Leone pulled out a notice he received from the county that was not well-received by council members. Any golf carts in your possession now have to be on your personal property rendition. The golf carts are now subject to be taxed as personal property, according to state law.

Call the Barber County Appraiser's Office at 620-886-3723 with questions. Renditions are due by March 15.

“They are taxing us to death,” Molz said.

End of Year Budget Review and Utility Rates

When giving the end of year budget review, Leone said the city was approximately 10 percent below budget. He told proudly, “Since I've been here, this is the second time we have NOT had to do an amended agenda (second time in the last 10 plus years.)” Leone added, “We are self-sustaining – spending only the money we have.” He said that expenses exceeded revenue by “only $1,300.”

The first two payments to BG Consultants were made from the water fund in 2018. That was due to the delay in receiving SRF Funding as originally planned, Leone said. That $42,000 will be reimbursed once the city starts receiving SRF Funds in 2019 he added.

Leone said he wanted to clear up confusion regarding the city's basic utility rates. This regards the Global Trade article published in October. He was interviewed for that article in June of 2018.

He said the $51.82 figure he quoted was for basic utility service only – the monthly charge for being hooked up to your electric meter; and getting sewer, water and trash service. The administrator said Kiowa has the lowest basic rate of seven other surrounding Kansas communities. He said Kiowa charges 7.8 cents per KW which is the lowest.

That is not usage for any of those services, he said.

Leone said he was accused of lying on the City of Kiowa Facebook page. He said it's not good to “badmouth the city or me” on a public site.

More City of Kiowa Business

With the new year comes the council's official appointments including: Depositories – 1st State Bank and People's Bank; Newspaper – The Kiowa News; GAAP Waiver (Resolution No. 19-293).

The council delegated Leone as their voting delegate for the Kansas Rural Water Association. They also approved Leone as a director to the KMEA AND EMP3 board of directors (groups involving the city's electricity).

In Street Superintendent Gary Johnson's report, he said they are “trying hard” to get ADA parking correct on Main Street. He and council members discussed it at length. He said a slide is needed at the park. Johnson said the city's JD tractor has a safety issue with the parking brake.

The city clerk received council approval to attend upcoming trainings in Wichita.

Police Chief Nate Houston said after visiting with K-6 Building Coordinator Adam Maloney about the continuing traffic congestion problem, they are now making it a drop-off lane only. He said the KPD has had lots of pro-active traffic stops with zero repeat offenders.

Houston said calls coming to the KPD increased from 37 to 55 last month. The new police vehicle, a Tahoe has arrived, the chief said. Council approved training for the KPD officers.

Leone said staff has been working with school officials regarding getting fiber optic cable between the elementary and jr/sr high building. “We've reached a pole agreement,” the administrator said. It's $2/pole/year so roughly $50/year, he said. The council approved.

Under council items, Wells said this group of council members needs to work on their strategic plan so when they are no longer on council the next councilmen will have some direction.

Mayor Rohr said one of the biggest complaints he gets from residents is they would like to talk to council members more – especially if they have a complaint. He welcomes them to attend a council meeting. “It's your town,” the mayor tells them. “You've got to work together or nothin' is going to happen.” He suggests people take their turn and serve on a local board.

 

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