April 11, 2022 Joint City-County Commission Minutes
GOODLAND CITY COMMISSION
Joint Commission Meeting
April 11, 2022 5:30 P.M.
Mayor Aaron Thompson called the meeting to order with Vice-Mayor J. J. Howard, Commissioner Ann Myers, Commissioner Jason Showalter and Commissioner Brook Redlin responding to roll call.
Sherman County Commission Chairman Steve Evert called meeting to order with County Commissioner Rod Blake and County Commissioner Larry Enfield responding to roll call.
Kanorado City Council members present, though not representing a quorum were Mike Murray, Mathew Windell and Valarie Veselick.
Also present from the City were Joshua Jordan – IT Director, Mary Volk – City Clerk, and Kent Brown – City Manager. Also present from the County was – Ashley Mannis – County Clerk.
Mayor Thompson led Pledge of Allegiance
DISCUSSION ITEMS
- Follow-up on Sales Tax: – Mayor Thompson stated, the City discussed the sales tax information. We were in agreement the tax remain at 1% instead of increasing tax rate. We may get less money but everyone has tighter budgets. We feel the best decision is to maintain current tax. As far as the split, the decision was not unanimous. We discussed both the split of 70% to Sherman County, 25% to City of Goodland and 5% to the City of Kanorado or the City of Goodland maintaining the 27.77% from last issue. County Commissioner Enfield asked, will 25% complete projects needed? Mayor Thompson stated, it is hard to say. It would complete main project. County Commissioner Enfield asked, is the City planning on a bond issue or pay as go? Mayor Thompson stated, we have not decided that yet; we have asked for information. Kent stated, if the City issues a bond for projects without the County, we can put sales tax toward bond payments but the tax cannot be dedicated unless all entities bond projects. It would be obligated, but not assigned to prevent the tax from being taken away in future. County Commission Chairman Evert stated, it would be the same way as money being dedicated in budget for street or general purpose. County Commissioner Enfield asked, how many years is the City planning? Kent stated, to do entire 8th Street project we need twenty years. County Commissioner Enfield stated, we just need to be in agreement with the time and rate to get question to pass. County Commission Chairman Evert stated, if we all agree with 1%, we will make it work. My concern is if we lose our food tax. Mike stated, we do not have a quorum so cannot make decision tonight, but I see both sides. I would lean toward rate of 1% over twenty years. We do not want to stall the process for the City of Goodland and Sherman County. County Commission Chairman Evert stated, it appears the general consensus is rate of 1%. Mike stated, we can hold meeting to get our council decision. County Commissioner Blake stated, we have to have 1% because we cannot risk vote not passing. We have to make the amount work. Mayor Thompson asked, what split does everyone agree on for the 1%? The City discussed two options but if we leave City rate at 27.77% it is difficult to squeeze in City of Kanorado. County Commissioner Blake asked, can the City handle 25%? Kent stated, it would be tight because there are a lot of assumptions. We can assume 25% will complete 8th Street and maybe a portion of another project. Expectations were the 1% sales tax would increase to $1,500,000 annually. Consensus is for the 1% rate be split 70% to Sherman County, 25% to City of Goodland and 5% to the City of Kanorado. County Commission Chairman Evert stated, that way we know what we have to work with. County Commissioner Blake asked, does everyone agree on twenty years? Mayor Thompson stated, the City agrees on twenty years. Commissioner Showalter stated, we will still need public education on the sales tax, projects and where money will go. County Commissioner Blake stated, agree, we need to ensure the public is aware it is a continuance of tax is in place with additional projects. County Commissioner Enfield stated, the public will understand these projects being completed with sales tax. Our other option is property tax which no one wants. Valarie asked, if the rate is twenty years what happens if communities grow or change, does the rate stay same or can we revisit? County Commission Chairman Evert stated, the rate remains for twenty years. Mayor Thompson stated, if communities grow, the tax would grows as community grows. County Commissioner Enfield stated, if down road the road you need to increase tax that is another question to take to the voters. Are there still CID’s in place? Mary stated, yes there are two defined districts, 24/7 and Holiday Inn Express, until their expenses are covered. Mayor Thompson stated, it appears we are in agreement on the main points for the sales tax. County Commission Chairman Evert stated, we both need to look at how we fund projects, whether bond issue or pay as go. Kent asked, what is County thinking of a bond issue for the project? County Commissioner Blake stated, we are not considering a bond issue the way our projects are going. We have priorities then will need to address other roads in future. County Commissioner Enfield stated, this way we can fix the priorities as needed and save interest. Mayor Thompson stated, it is a guessing game, you know everything is going up. Kent asked, does City and County Commission put together ballot question? Ashley stated, Kent and I will meet with Gilmore and Bell to put together question for ballot then present to commissions. Kent asked, when does current bond pay out? Ashley stated, July 2023, Department of Revenue needs one quarter to put tax on books.
ADJOURNMENT BY THE CITY COMMISSION WAS HAD ON A MOTION Commissioner Redlin seconded by Vice-Mayor Howard. Motion carried by unanimous VOTE, meeting Adjourned at 5:50 p.m.
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ATTEST: Aaron Thompson, Mayor
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Mary P. Volk, City Clerk