The Street Advisory Board will meet on Thursday, September 9th, 2021 at 4:00 p.m. at the City Commission Meeting Room at 123 S. Main Street. This meeting is open to the public.
This meeting will be made available via the City’s you tube channel at City of Fort Scott.
Dave Trabert, Chief Executive Officer of the Kansas Policy Institute, Overland Park, sent an email response to fortscott.biz‘s feature on the USD 234 Budget on Sept. 2.
“Under the new Truth in Taxation legislation, mill rates are reduced by law so that new valuations produce the same dollar amount of property tax…hence the name ‘revenue-neutral rate,'” Trabert said. “If the school district wants to take in more property tax dollars next year, they have to notify taxpayers of their intent, hold a public hearing, and then vote on the entire tax increase they impose.”
USD 234 Board Clerk/Business Manager and Certified Public Account Gina Shelton’s answers to Trabert are in blue ink.
“Correct – which we did,” Shelton said in a response to the Trabert email that fortscott.biz sent her. “What is missing from that statement is that we are to adopt a revenue-neutral rate based upon an estimated assessed valuation.”
“In general terms, it is a simple formula: Assessed Valuation (a) X Mill Rate (b) = Property Tax Assessed (c). If (a) and (b) stay the same, an entity would be revenue-neutral. If (a) increases and (b) stays the same = higher property tax assessed. If (a) increases and (b) decreases = lower property tax assessed/revenue neutral (depends on how much (b) is). “
“The school district only controls (b).”
” What the formula does not consider are things like 1) Collection Ratio 2) Neighborhood Revitalization (or other economic programs administered through other entities) and 3) the Assessed Valuation is an estimate.”
“This year, we received two separate revenue-neutral rates due to an error on the part of one of the utility companies. We also know that there is a larger taxpayer in our county that has applied for exemption, yet it was not backed off from the estimated assessed valuation. The exemption is retroactive to the date within the application. These are all factors that were considered when recommending being Revenue Neutral or not.”
“There is also a timing factor. We are very early on in a bond payback. Our bond is why the school district’s mill rate is as high as it is. We are committed to being good stewards of our taxpayers’ commitment.”
“When we reworked the bond in 2020, we were able to save our taxpayers $5,792,515.15 and will be able to pay it back five years earlier. However, we still have a way to go before that bond is paid off – September 1, 2035.”
“I don’t believe it is fiscally responsible to adjust the bond mill. The bond mill has to be considered because for the school district to qualify to be revenue neutral – we would have had to adjust our mill rates in all of the other funds (since the 20 mills in our General Fund is set by statute).”
” We know we have capital outlay needs for our district to maintain our facilities. Deferred maintenance costs more money. We did not feel it prudent to reduce the mill in the Capital Outlay fund.”
“In our LOB fund, we use a big part of this to pay for utilities. We were advised to budget 6% increases in electricity and 18% increases in gas. What would we cut to make up for those increases? What opportunities would we cut for our kids?”
“Gina Shelton’s claim that the LOB resolution has no impact on property tax is simply not true,” he said. The only way that could happen is if they adopted the revenue-neutral rate of 13.431. They choose to increase property tax… by 1.7% if they adopted the proposed mill levy. If the district adopted each of their proposed mill rates, they increased the burden on taxpayers by close to 2%.”
“In fact, it is claims like hers that drove taxpayers to demand the Truth in Taxation legislature,” Trabert said.
“I’ve never spoken to Mr. Trabert, to state that ‘claims like hers’ without having a single conversation with the person shows how very political this is.”
” I believe in transparency in government. I also firmly believe in being fiscally responsible. Our board has always been transparent about the challenges and positives of our school district to our community. Our board considered the pros and cons and made the decision based on the recommendation we made.”
Trabert included a chart:
http://www.kansasopengov.org/kog/databank#report_id=90&County=Bourbon
“We collected the information from each county clerk via Open Records requests,” he said.
“Any entity that does not follow the Truth in Taxation law is prohibited from spending above the revenue-neutral rate,” Trabert said.
“We are fully aware of this requirement,” Shelton said. Prior to the due dates set by the state, we discussed publicly what Revenue Neutral means for our taxpayers as our board meetings.”
“At the board’s July 12th board meeting there was a motion made to allow us to submit paperwork to the county to allow us the option to not be revenue neutral.”
“We declared to the county by the July 20th due date.”
“We held a detailed special budget/RNR presentation on July 30th, where we had one member of the public attend. This was an hour-long meeting meant to educate our community.”
“We then published in the Fort Scott Tribune newspaper on August 11th. After publishing, I only had one taxpayer come into ask questions and look at our budget.”
“I have always encouraged our taxpayers to please sit down with me to look at our budget to help explain what we do with those funds.”
“We then held a hearing on August 25th at 5:30. We received no comments or questions from the public at this hearing although the intention of that is to allow for that feedback.”
“We held our budget hearing on August 25th at 6:00. We also received no comments or questions during this hearing as well. Both were well attended.”
“Our community supports our kids. I’m sure Mr. Trabert has concerns regarding property tax – as we all do – however, he does not live, work, or send his kids to school here.”
“As someone who attended public schools in Fort Scott, lives here and has a student attending USD 234, my continued commitment has always been to be fiscally responsible of the dollars our taxpayers trust us with.”
“I believe our students are worth more than a political debate on property taxes. Mr. Trabert has not taken any time to call and discuss our particular district with us, but decides to contact the press? This leads me to believe that his concern is more with taxes in general versus our particular district or the challenges we face. Let’s work toward a workable, positive solution – our kids deserve that.”
“Kansas Policy Institute is a nonprofit research and education organization that protects constitutional rights and economic freedom,” Trabert said. “I am the CEO and work in our Overland Park office. Here is some background on our history and mission. https://kansaspolicy.org/about/”
“We were instrumental in getting the Truth in Taxation law passed.,” he said. “Senator Caryn Tyson, who represents most of Bourbon County, can also provide information on the legislation.”
“I have great respect for Senator Tyson. We have had several conversations where we discussed the challenges that face school districts. Challenges in addition to the fiscal side of schools. She knows how important our students are and how much our great state depends on their success. Public education provides opportunities that no other state program provides -both in the “right now” and for our future. The success and education of our students warrants our investment in them.”
The Kansas Department of Corrections is pleased to announce the release of two new grant opportunities for Juvenile Crime Community Prevention.
These grants will support communities in providing services to youth that are at risk for juvenile delinquency, victimization, and juvenile justice system involvement.
These grants are being made available to both governmental agencies (i.e., counties, judicial districts etc.) as well as community-based agencies and service providers (i.e. non-profits).
Applicants can submit requests for grant funds for both fiscal year 2022 (1/1/22 – 6/30/22) and fiscal year 2023 (7/1/22 – 6/30/23) on these applications.
These grants will have two tracts.
Both grants require the development and implementation of evidence-based juvenile crime prevention programs and practices
All applications, including all related documents and completed signatory approval pages, are due October 29, 2021.
If you have questions regarding these grants or need assistance please contact either:
Margery Allison Jackson, age 99, a resident of Congress, Arizona, passed away Tuesday, August 31, 2021, at her home in Congress.
She was born August 20, 1922, in Benton County, Arkansas, the daughter of William Henry Adolph and Lola Larimore Adolph.
When Margery was six months old, the family moved to Michigan Valley, Kansas, where her father worked on the railroad. In the summer of 1927, the family moved to Garnett, Kansas where her father was section foreman on the KND Railroad.
Her father died in 1930 leaving her mother with five children to raise alone. Margery attended school in Garnett from Kindergarten through her junior year of high school. In the summer of 1940, Margery’s mother moved her to Ashland, Oregon. There Margery worked for her room and board while she finished high school. She graduated in 1941. The next year, she was the high school principal’s secretary.
Margery met Ivan Jackson when they were sixteen years old in Garnett, Kansas. Ivan followed her to Oregon where they were married on June 6, 1942.
Ivan was drafted in October of 1942. Margery followed him to Camp Polk Louisiana where she worked in the Office of Ordinance Service Command Shop #9. After the war, they settled in Ashland, Oregon.
Margery was bookkeeper for their automotive repair and service station.
Margery enjoyed her home and family.
Margery is survived by her son, Dean Jackson (Linda) of Owenton, Kentucky and her daughter, Shirley Johnoff (Carl) of Congress, Arizona; seven grandchildren, Leah, Karin, Thomas, Julee, Deborah, Carrie, and Patricia and several great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ivan, of fifty-eight years, her parents, two brothers and two sisters. Her sister Arlene preceded her in death on August 21, 2021.
Private burial will take place at a later date in the Kincaid Cemetery in Kincaid, Kansas under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, Kansas.
Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Contests aim to Put the Brakes on Fatalities
Poster and video contests where Kansas students can win great prizes and learn about traffic safety are back as part of this year’s Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day safety campaign. The poster contest deadline is Sept. 24, and the video contest deadline is Sept. 26.
In addition, the school, class or booster club of the grand prize-winning students will also receive money as part of the contests’ prizes.
Poster contest: For Kansas students ages 5 to 13 – all students who submit completed poster entries will be eligible for a random prize drawing of a $100 Amazon gift card. A total of 18 regional winners in the six regions and age groups (ages 5-7, ages 8-10 and ages 11-13) will receive a bicycle from the Kansas Turnpike Authority and a helmet from Safe Kids Kansas. Three statewide winners will each receive:
sKindle Fire Tablet and case from the KTA;
s$50 Amazon gift card from Fuel True/Independent Energy and Convenience;
sMovie passes from AAA Kansas; and
s$200 for the school, class or the booster club.
Poster entries must be postmarked by Friday, Sept. 24. Information and entry forms are available here.
Video contest: For Kansas teens in grades 8-12. Prizes from the KTA include a GoPro, a DJI Stabilizer and a DJI Drone, and the grand prize winner’s school, class or booster club will receive $500. Video entries must be submitted to the KTA by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 26. Entry details are available here.
About 37,000 people die in traffic crashes each year across the United States. That’s nearly 101 fatalities every day. Let’s encourage everyone – drivers, passengers, pedestrians and cyclists – to exercise caution every day and Put the Brakes on Fatalities.
The Kansas Department of Transportation, KTA and other transportation organizations in Kansas are sponsoring the contests. More information about Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day is available here.
Winners from the 2019 contests are listed below:
Poster Contest Winners –
Northeast Kansas – Ella Kate Schuyler, Lawrence; Emma Kuhlman, Topeka; Paiton Wallace, Basehor
North central Kansas – Quincy Coup, Hope; Grayson Koenig, McPherson; Hannah Simmelink, Esbon
Northwest Kansas – Colt Raudis, Hays; Jerome Bieghler, Phillipsburg; Peyton Gower, Phillipsburg
Southeast Kansas – Harper Frasier, Galena; Hannah Noel, Columbus; Faith Godsell, McCune
South central Kansas – Avery Hutson, El Dorado; Cade Brown, Andale, Von Woleslagel, Hutchinson
Southwest Kansas – Andelyn Reimer, Meade; Mary Paris, Dighton; Teaghen Elledge, Spearville
2019 Video Contest winners –
Students from Lansing High School won first place.
Students from Eudora captured second place.
Shawnee Mission West High School placed third.
View the winning videos here.
Chamber Coffee hosted by the City of Fort Scott and Fort Scott Recreation Commission
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to a Chamber Coffee this Thursday, September 9th at 8 a.m. The Coffee will be hosted by the City of Fort Scott and the Fort Scott Recreation Commission and the location will be Gunn Park Shelter 1, 1010 Park Avenue. Coffee, juice, and refreshments catered by Moe’s Breads will be served.
The Christmas in the Park planning committee will share with attendees plans for this year’s event in December which includes activities for the public on December 11th and 18th, with a drive-thru light display open from December 11th through January 1st.
Contact the Chamber of Commerce at (620) 223-3566 for more information.
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Toby Lane Adams, age 52, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Sunday, September 5, 2021, at the Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, KS. Services for Toby Adams will be announced by the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main.
Anthony Wayne “Tony” Weyant, age 32, a resident of Colorado, passed August 28, 2021 in Colorado. He was born July 17, 1989, in Savannah, Georgia, the son of Charles Weyant and Donna Weyant.
He married Sonja Medlin, September 22, 2018 in Grants Pass, Oregon. Tony was a self-employed contractor. He loved to take his family on vacations where they would camp, hike, and tour the national parks. He enjoyed ordering pizza and watching movies. Tony loved to cook especially BBQ, even if there was snow on the ground.
Tony is survived by his wife Sonja, of the home, two children, a son Anthony Wayne Weyant, and a daughter, Shailynn Weyant.; seven step-daughters, Melanie, Shebly, Kayleigh, Olivia, Adyson, Maia, and Katie; parents, Charles Weyant and Donna Weyant; a brother, Dustin Miles Weyant, a sister, Kelly Rae Carson; his grandmothers, Mary Overcash and Goldie Weyant Arndt,; and his faithful dog Jasper.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Clayton Michael Weyant, his grandfathers, Hoyt Overcash, Miles Weyant and step-grandfather, Larry Arndt; four uncles, Brad Weyant, Rick Overcash, Dale Overcash, and Jim Weyant; an aunt, Nancy Overcash; two cousins, Brandon Weyant and Melony Beerbower.
Pastor Marty DeWitt will conduct a celebration of life, Sunday September 12, 2021 at 2:00 P.M. at the First Missionary Baptist Church in Uniontown. Words of remembrance maybe submitted the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com
Fort Scott Aglow Lighthouse welcomes guest speaker, Carol Hammerbacker, on Thursday September 9th at 6:30 pm. We meet at the Fort Scott Inn conference room, 101 State Street.
TOPEKA – As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact the state, the Kansas Department of Revenue reminds its customers that many of the services provided in its offices can also be completed online. This includes, for many Kansans, renewing driver’s licenses and making tax payments, whether current or delinquent.
“Reminding our customers that these options are available merely reiterates our continued mission to provide services and assistance safely and efficiently, even during a pandemic,” said Secretary of Revenue Mark Burghart.
A complete list of online services is available at ksrevenue.org/onlineservices.
If an office visit is necessary for driver’s license services, KDOR heavily encourages making an appointment. Customers with an appointment receive priority. Information about making an appointment can be found at ksrevenue.org/DOVAppointmentInfo.
Office visits to KDOR Taxpayer Assistance Centers require an appointment. Those appointments can be made by going to kdor.ks.gov/apps/appointmentscheduler.
