This page is the archive of questions submitted by citizens.

Junction City Commission Follow-up Questions, 05 February 2008

Q:Since you are not bringing the Market Place to a taxpayer vote, does that mean you have already made all the decisions without giving the taxpayer an opportunity for input? Or was the initial decision and plan put to a taxpayer vote? (Example: like the Hospital)

A:The Smoky Hill Marketplace will be reviewed and discussed in numerous City and County Commission meetings as the project moves forward. In addition, there will be a public hearing on the creation of a STAR bond and TIF district. Citizens can voice their opinion on potential projects any time they desire. There was no taxpayer vote and will not be any vote for the Smoky Hill marketplace project.

Q: Your reply indicated you are unsure what I am referring to in my question about $15 million in loans for MORE infrastructures. Let me refer you to FUTURE INDEBTEDNESS, page 17 of the documents signed by the Mayor, I quote: “The City has identified approximately $15 million of additional infrastructure and other capital improvement projects that they anticipate seeking financing for in the coming 12 month. Because they are close to their statutory general obligation debt capacity (see DEBT SUMMARY – “Legal Debt Limits”), the City is exploring alternative funding sources such as state grants, loans and lease purchase financing”. Is the recollection of the Mayor and Commissioners’ that short lived that they cannot or will not answer this question? Please go back to my original question 6 from 29 January 2008 and provide an answer.

A:Anytime the city is issuing debt as part of the official statement, the staff attempts to predict the future on other projects or borrowing that might occur. The $15 million that was included in the statement referred to numerous street projects and borrowing that could occur in the next 12 months from the Kansas Department of Transportation revolving loan fund. $3,000,000 was for annual street maintenance and $12,000,000 was for various new street projects.

Q: Your reply was, since the census appeal is a lengthy process, you proceeded based on the urgency voiced by the LT. Governor in 2004 for the need of housing in the Fort Riley region. Based on that you authorized and funded the building of infrastructure without regard of the cost to the taxpayer. How do you reconcile your GUESSTIMATE with the ACTUAL requirements and the fact that the taxpayer will have to foot the bills you incurred for all of us?

A:There is no indication that the taxpayers are going to have to foot any bills related to building infrastructure in subdivisions. The financing is being set up to collect special assessments to retire debt and to use instruments that do not place the burden of nonpayment on the at large taxpayers. The planning and development of the streets and public water and sewer improvements has been completed using budgetary planning to avoid property tax increases. The City’s mill levy has either been reduced or stayed the same over the past 10 years. It is the objective of the City Commission to continue that trend.

Q: Apparently you are willing to continue spending, considering the public notice of the Airport Expansion. What criteria are you using to justify a 4000ft long, 75ft wide runway to be build? How many planes are landing and taking off daily? How many of them are locally owned and stored at the Airport? How much revenue is received from the operation of the airport annually? Why is the Manhattan Airport, only 16 miles away, not sufficient to accommodate air traffic for Junction City?

A:The City developed a master plan for the airport that calls for eventual expansion of the runway through the use of Federal Aviation Administration grant funds. The expansion of the runway provides the necessary length for airplanes to land and be repaired at the Kansas Air Center maintenance facility. It also would provide the necessary length for corporate jets to land. We do not track the number of landing and take offs at Freeman Field. The revenue generated at the airport comes from farm income on the crops. The hangar rent collected goes to pay for the management of the airport by Kansas Air Center. We have budgeted $32,295 for operating expenses of the airport in the 2008 budget. We also are doing two lease purchase payments from the airport in the amount of $109,175 each year. $21,780 gets reimbursed by Kansas Air Center and the balance of the lease purchase is for land that was acquired several years ago.
The City is continuing to work with the Manhattan Airport to enhance it as a regional airport.

Q: Getting back to my original question of 15 Jan 2008 about the Kansas Open Meeting Act. I had a follow up comment to your reply to 24 Jan 2008 which you disregarded. Your response was “the executive session affords the commission an opportunity to discuss cost before making it public”. My opinion is, when you discuss cost you are beyond the PRELIMINARY stage and therefore are not complying with KOMA. When the land acquisition is thereafter approved in an open meeting the taxpayer has not had an opportunity for input. Basically it’s a done deal before the taxpayer really hears about it. Please respond to my comment on this.

A:There is no action taken in executive sessions. There is discussion. All action is taken in regular session with items listed on the agenda and the opportunity for citizens to comment prior to final decisions.

Q:How will you handle the current shortfall of $578,000 in delinquent property tax and special assessments that was reported in the Daily Union? Actually I believe it is higher, as the taxes that have been paid less than 50% by Dec 20, 2007, are now delinquent as well; which adds another $544,000 plus for a total of over $1.1 million, per public information received from Geary County Treasurer’s office.

A:There is no current shortfall of delinquent property tax. The Geary County Treasurer indicates that 54% of the abstract amount of property taxes has been paid thus far. She also indicated that this is comparable to every year, since property taxes are due in two payments. In addition, the taxing entities budget for annual delinquencies on property tax collections. The 2008 annual budget was prepared with a 3% delinquency factor. The City also took further precaution in budgeting as if 80% of special assessments will be collected and we used a $950,000 reserve in the bond and interest fund. The Geary County Treasurer will review the collections after the second payment date occurs in May.

Q: On the graph from Tuesday 22, 2008, that shows Temporary Notes,. When does the $64,225,000 become General Obligation Bonds or Permanent Bonds?

A: The temporary notes of the City are converted to permanent financing upon the recommendation of the City’s fiscal advisor, George K. Baum & Company. They evaluate a number of factors to determine the optimum time to enter the marketplace with bonds. Temporary notes may be used up to four years. The interest is included in the permanent financing.

Q: How much is the City’s debt ceiling for 2008?

A: The City’s debt limit calculation has not changed for 2008 based on the December 31, 2007 calculation. At December 31, 2007 the City’s debt capacity was $1,743,355. The calculation only changes when new debt is issued, debt is retired, or the valuation changes. George K Baum & Company recalculates the debt limit as required.

Q: Why doesn’t the graph from Tuesday 22, 2008 show all the interest being paid by the City for 2008?

A: The three graphs included in Commissioner Talley’s presentation showed the amount of general obligation debt, temporary notes and the net annual payment of principal and interest after other revenues were subtracted. The graph does include the interest paid on the City’s debt annually.

Q: On the graph from Tuesday 22, 2008, the total being represented on the graph adds up to approximately $46,000,000? If the G.O. Bonds for that 20 year period are $51,735,000, shouldn’t the total match what is owed regardless of where the money comes from? What about the interest owed? It is that there are $15,185,394 in special assessments, which accounts for $61,000,000. Why doesn’t the graph match the official statement provided to George K. Baum for a total debt repayment for G.O. Bonds of $77,197,185.00?

A: The bar graph is not related to the debt summary chart. The bar graph merely reflects net debt service required each year to pay principal and interest on the City’s outstanding debt for the time period indicated. The time period does not relate to the debt summary sheets. This net debt service is the impact to the bond and interest fund after all other sources of revenue are figured into the equation. The chart merely shows that the annual net debt payment remains fairly constant each year. It was not intended to relate to general obligation bond debt summary sheet.

Q: According to the City’s Official Statement to George K. Baum, what is the total debt repayment for the City in 2008?

A: The City’s bond and interest fund’s budget for 2008 is $1,470,000 in principal and $2,425,758 in interest. This is for the City’s general obligation debt payments for 2008 only.

Q: According to the City’s Official Statement our Total Assessed Valuation is $156,943,432. If that is true what was our debt ceiling for 2007? How can you not include temporary bonds, are they not still debt in waiting?

A: The City’s debt limit calculation as of December 31, 2007 was $1,743,355 remaining statutory debt capacity. All of the City’s debt that is applicable is included in the calculation of the City’s debt limit calculation. This includes bonds and temporary notes. Whether something is included depends on the purpose for which the bonds or notes were issued.

Q: How much is the interest for the G.O.Bonds of $51,735,000 for 20 years?

A: The total principal and interest payments for the following outstanding bond series DH, DI, DK, DL, DN, DD and DP for the years 2008-2027 total $77,584,070. Each bond issue carries a different interest rate. The total interest on the City’s outstanding debt of $51,735,000 is $25,849,070.

Q: Doesn’t the City owe interest on Special Assessments while they are being repaid?

A: The City does not owe interest on special assessments. Bonds are sold when projects are completed and interest is owed on the bonds. The interest rate obtained at the time the bonds are sold determines the interest rate that is used to calculate special assessments. The interest rate is applied to the principal amount of special assessment and that is collected from the property owner annually to assist with the debt repayment of the City.

Q: Doesn’t the City owe interest on the temporary notes that are waiting to become permanent G.O. bonds?

A: The City owes interest on temporary notes that ultimately gets included with special assessments or permanently financed with bond dollars.

Q: On your graph “Your Property Tax Dollar”. Isn’t the mill levy about 47.736 mills. Wouldn’t that make your graph $.47? Since you get a dollar for every thousand of valuation? If not what causes the difference?

A: No, it does not make .47 cents of every dollar going to the City. There are four entities that levy property taxes for the total mill levy amount. In order to convert that to a comparison with one dollar, you need to divide the overall mill levy by each entity mill levy and then use the percentages to calculate how much of one dollar goes for each service.

Q: Do Special Assessments still count toward the debt level?

A: The components of the City’s debt level depend on the purpose of the improvements. For instance, water, sewer and storm sewer improvements do not count toward the City’s debt level and each of these can be special assessments. Street improvements do count towards the City’s debt level and can also be special assessments.

Q: If the City owes a total of $115,960,000 plus interest shouldn’t the graphs show that?

A: It has not been determined by the City’s fiscal advisor, George K. Baum how the temporary note financing will be handled. It is possible that much of this debt will not become general obligation debt of the City of Junction City. The graphs were intended to show how much net debt service occurs each year through 2027. The bar chart shows the annual payment of principal and interest on debt after other revenue is subtracted. The revenue includes water and sewer revenues, and special assessments. In addition, the bond and interest fund receives motor vehicle tax, delinquent tax, recreational vehicle tax and any other source of revenue each year. The net property tax impact is calculated after all of the sources are identified.

Q: Exactly WHEN did you vote to approve the $350,000 that was donated to the Opera House project for the taxpayers of Junction City?

A: The City assumed ownership of the Opera House in 1987. Over the next 10 years, a local foundation worked at providing a solution to restoring the building. In 2000, the City Commission formed a task force made up of representatives from the Opera House Foundation, Little Theatre and the City to develop a plan for restoration. The City Commission paid for a feasibility study to determine the condition of the building and agreed to fund the cost of an architect for the development of the existing project. Brent Bowman and Associates was chosen through a request for proposals. The funds were paid from the City’s capital improvement fund, a budget fund that is annually appropriated. The City Commissioners in office at that time were Kay Blanken, David Bossemeyer, Bill Levinson, Richard Pinaire and Mick Wunder.

Q: After the Smoky Hill development sports complex is finished, does the City plan on consolidating all recreation programs; (i.e. baseball/soccer/softball)?

A: The sports fields will be multi purpose and available to all programs. There has not been any discussion among the City, School District or YMCA regarding consolidation of any programs. It is anticipated that partnerships will develop as the programs are developed.

Q. Is it possible to get a copy of the charts?

A: The charts are available online at jcks.com. They are also attached.

Q: How is it possible to reduce the overall debt limit already imposed?

A: The City’s fiscal advisor, George K Baum and Company is working on ways to issue debt that is not the obligation of the taxpayers of Junction City, but rather the responsibility of specific subdivisions or projects. An example is the bonds for the improvements at the Bluffs. The City will issue Rural Housing Incentive District Bonds that are secured by the taxes raised from the Bluffs. Another example is bonds that were issued for the improvements to the Southwest Wastewater Treatment Plant. The bonds were issued as general obligation bonds of the taxpayers, but are being paid with revenues from the water and sewer customers. It is the goal of the City Commission to keep the annual debt service payments constant versus requiring a property tax increase.

Q: What does the County do with the large tax load they receive?

A: The County Commission would be the responsible party for answering this question. They use their property taxes to pay for various departments within the County. In addition, the City and County operate a number of joint departments.

Q: Why the need for 14 soccer fields and 4 baseball fields? Who will be responsible for taxes on it and who will be responsible for maintenance and the cost thereof? Why do the taxpayers of Junction City never get to vote on the need for this stuff? It’s our hard earned money and we should always have a voice in anything that involves our taxes. A cap should be put on taxes for people 65 and over.

A: The Smoky Hill Marketplace project includes numerous components, including a regional multipurpose sports complex, a museum, theatres, restaurants, hotel/water park, and 600,000 square feet of retail space. One of the ways the City can access state dollars to help fund the project is to use STAR bond financing. The STAR bond financing captures the 5.3% of sales tax paid to the state to be used to finance public improvements within the development. A requirement of the STAR bond financing is that the project has to include a regional attraction to draw people to the community. The sports complex meets that criteria. Once the fields are completed, it is anticipated that the revenue generated from the operation will cover the annual cost of maintenance.

The taxpayers of Junction City elect five City Commissioners to set the policies for the community. There is no requirement for a citizen election on issues such as developments or budget development. The City Commission has not raised the mill levy for providing city services for the past 10 years. Unfortunately, the property valuation has risen and caused homeowners to pay additional taxes. The City is one of four entities that levy property taxes. The other three are Geary County, U.S.D. #475 School District and the State of Kansas. Citizens have the opportunity to voice their concerns at all public meetings where the budget is discussed. These include neighborhood meetings, City Commission meetings and public budget hearings. This year, the staff will be out in the neighborhoods getting input from citizens on the budget for 2009. Please watch for times and location.

Finally, the State legislature is always looking at ways to cap the amount of property tax for people 65 and over. Please discuss this issue with Representative Barbara Craft and Senator Reitz.

Q: Is the mentality of all this building and recreation becoming a field of dreams? If you build it, they will come. The population of JC does not warrant all this recreation and building. When will it stop? When will there be a cap put on taxes for senior citizens? When are we going to get decent stores?

A: Prior to construction of any recreation fields as part of the Smoky Hill Marketplace, a feasibility study was conducted by a company called Conventions, Sports & Leisure International from Wayzata, Minnesota. The study indicated that the region can support the multi-purpose fields and not an arena as part of the project. The City Commission has eliminated the arena from the project. The City Commission attempts to provide quality of life improvements for the community as warranted by the citizens.

The City Commission has not raised the mill levy for property tax for the past ten years. The City is only one of four entities that use property tax. The other three are Geary County, U.S.D. #475 School District and the State of Kansas. In addition, the State Legislature continues to look at ways to help senior citizens with tax breaks. Please talk to Representative Craft or Senator Reitz about this issue.

The Junction City/Geary County Economic Development Commission is continually working on bringing new retail stores to our community. They currently are working with a company to identify specific stores that would look at locating in our community. In addition, the Smoky Hill Marketplace project will include over 600,000 square feet of retail space.

Q: A young family or single parent cannot afford a $150,000 or more due to increased taxes. How do we hope to reduce this?

A: The City is looking at reducing property taxes through increased valuation as a result of new investment in the community and through increased sales taxes. The property tax mill levy for the City of Junction City in 1997 was 52 mills. Today it is 47 mills. It is the goal of the City Commission to continue reducing the mill levy through innovative ways of delivering services to the citizens. The City is only one of four entities that levy property taxes. The other three are Geary County, U.S.D. #475 School District and the State of Kansas.

Q: Commissioner Talley stated that the valuation is set by the State. If so, what does the City provide the State for them to assess property. i.e. details, permits, cost, revenue.

A: Valuation is mandated by the State of Kansas. The process of determining the valuation is handled by the Geary County Appraiser’s office. They use numerous methods of valuing property.

Questions submitted at the Jan 15, 2008 City Commission meeting

Q: Will the Market Place be put to a citizen’s vote; and how soon?

A: No, there is nothing being done with the development of Smoky Hill Marketplace that requires a vote of the people.

Q: Does anyone sitting on the City Commission have a relative that is a realtor? Have they ever been involved, in any capacity, on any real estate matter for the City or County? Which ones and how so?

A: The Mayor has a sister that works for the Schoenrock Realty Company and Commissioner Jack Taylor is a realtor with the Coldwell Banker Realty Company. The Schoenrock Realty Company represented property owners in property that was purchased by the City at 10th & Washington. The agent in charge was Patty Maycroft.

Q: The City is glad to share specific bidding information. Will you present that information to the taxpayer, and how soon?

A: The bidding records are available as open records upon request.

Q: The 2006 Annual Report figures don’t always add up; who is responsible; The positions of City Planner and CFO are reviewed annually. Those positions are not filled, what is there to review? Who currently makes the decision that normally would be made by a CFO? Will you hire a CFO?

A: The 2006 Annual Report figures add up and are audited and reviewed by the City’s outside auditing firm, Varney & Associates. The City Manager is responsible for the presentation of the report and the numbers along with input from the City Treasurer and other City staff. The City has a qualified staff that makes the decisions for financial review along with the policy development by the City Commission. In addition, the City uses George K Baum and Company as their fiscal advisor. The position of Finance Director was eliminated in budget reductions in 2000 and is reviewed each year during annual budget preparation. The position has not been funded per the decision of the City Commission.

Q: Who is the Ethic’s Officer for the City?

A: The City staff is governed by the policy guidelines included in the personnel handbook. The City Commission is governed by the State. There is no full time ethic’s officer on staff.

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Questions submitted at January 29, 2008, City Commission Meeting:

Q: When will the minutes for 2003 and prior years be posted to the Junction City website?

A: The staff is working on securing records for placement on electronic media. Not all records are available in that format.

Q: Are the minutes for 2003 accessible now for review by the taxpayer, and where?

A: All minutes and ordinances of the City are available for inspection at any time in the City Clerk’s office.

Q: Who is the financial advisor that recommended the General Obligation Notes signed by current Mayor, dated 01 October 2007? What information was the advice based on?

A: The City’s financial advisor is George K Baum and Company of Kansas City, Missouri. They review and prepare the City’s official statement for all debt issues. The Company prepares all of the information based on records from the City, County and School District.

4. Are Special Assessments (actual MONEY RECEIVED) for the new housing infrastructure sufficient to pay for them or will you invoke your unlimited ability to raise tax levies to pay for them?

A: The Bond and Interest fund of the City is used to retire numerous debt issues of the City. There are a number of revenue sources that are used to balance the fund annually. One of the sources is special assessments, advalorem tax, motor vehicle tax, delinquent tax, cash balance forward. The Bond & Interest Fund is one of eight funds the City has that is uses advalorem tax to balance. There is no indication that taxes are being raised as the result of delinquent special assessments for 2008.

Q: Since the City is approaching the statutory debt limit; how much more in bonds and notes will you commit the City for in the next 12-24 months, as stated in the document the Mayor signed?

A: The City will be turning temporary note financing into bonds over the next several years as the City’s fiscal advisor deems it appropriate.

Q: How will the $15 million sought for more new infrastructure and capital expenditures be paid for? Is that also covered by you unlimited ability to raise tax levies?

A: I’m unsure what you are referring to in this question. The City continues to develop a number of projects that have various funding sources including grants, loans and annual appropriation. The City Commission prepares an annual budget that covers expenditures and debt retirement. That process starts in May, 2008 and will be completed by August 25, 2008.

Q: Per the referenced document, the Annual Report for 2006 was submitted late. We need a responsible CFO, will the City hire one?

A: There were a number of reasons that played into why the Annual report was completed in August versus July. One of these was the implementation of new software to prepare the report. The City Commission reviews the positions included in the budget during their annual budget preparation. The 2009 budget will be adopted by August 25, 2008.

Q: Why did you not wait for the outcome of your population growth appeal before committing the City to build the infrastructure for the new housing areas?

A: The appeal of the census estimate is a lengthy process and will be on going year after year until the 2010 census is completed. The need for housing became apparent in 2004 when former Lt. Governor Moore’s task force identified developing housing for the region as a priority

Q: Why the executive meeting on land acquisition during an Open Public meeting? What is kept from the public? Are you complying with the Kansas Open Meetings act pertaining to Preliminary Discussion for land acquisition?

A: The City holds all of its public meetings in compliance with the Kansas Open Meetings act. One of the purposes allowed for Executive session under the act is discussions prior to acquisition of real estate. This affords the opportunity for the City Commission to discuss acquisition costs prior to being made public.

Q: Why are City employees not knowledgeable on the subjects they are to discuss in front of the commission, i.e. the City Engineer? And why are the issues still passed although not all information is available. Why are those issues not tabled for future consideration?

A: The City Commission receives packets of information on all agenda items the Friday prior to a City Commission meeting on Tuesday. Detailed staff reports and pertinent information on the item appearing on the agenda is included in the packet. In addition, Commissioners frequently call staff to get additional questions answered prior to the City Commission meeting. The City Commission many times tables items for future discussion if they do not feel they have all of their answers during or before the meeting.

Q: Why do we need the market place, soccer fields and hockey arena? These were failures elsewhere. Are you relying on input from the developers to make those decisions? Are you willing to put this to a taxpayer vote? According to the 2000 Census, 47.2% of Junction City residents are 35 and older; another 8.7% are under the age of 5. Why do we need 14 soccer fields?

A: The City commissioned a feasibility study to determine whether fields and an arena would work in the Smoky Hill Marketplace. The study is in draft form. The preliminary indication is that an arena is not feasible. The City Commission will determine if they want to go any further on that portion of the project. The fields are multipurpose and will be used for all kinds of sports activities including soccer. The feasibility study also evaluates the cost effectiveness of building these fields. The company was hired by the City and the cost of the study will be paid through the STAR bond proceeds. The development of the marketplace is a partnership between the City, County, State of Kansas and the developer. There are a number of milestones to reach as the project develops.

Q: What criteria are used to determine infrastructure requirements? Why does the JC Commission deviate from commonly established practices for approving construction contracts; i.e. security bonds to ensure developer/contractor compliance; limiting the initial infrastructure related debts? Taxpayer funds to be expanded only when taxes are received from those properties? It appears the available criteria do not support the commission’s decisions. Only one of the commissioners appeared at the Town Hall meeting January 5, 2008, to my knowledge no one has so far provided statistics to rebut the Town Hall presentation. According to published U.S. Census Bureau Statistics from April 1, 2000, to July 1, 2006, Junction City population has declined 14.85% or 2,809 residents, with a steady decline in population since 1990. Please show the taxpayer what criteria was used in your decision making process. Have you relied too heavily on the input from developers/contractors? By comparison since 2000 the City of Manhattan has increased by 11.16% or 5, 097 residents and is steadily increasing since 1990. One can see that most military personnel are buying in Manhattan rather than Junction City. I can only say, “You can build it, but will they come?”

A: The City uses security and performance bonds on a regular basis for various infrastructure projects. The City used presentations made by the various agencies that participated in the Lt. Governor’s Task Force on Growth. Some of the estimates for housing were from the military and from surrounding cities. The City of Manhattan has appealed their census estimate for each of the past 3 years and have been successful at raising the final number. The City of Junction City is in the process of appealing its annual estimates.

Q: Why tax abatement under Neighborhood Revitalization for commercial buildings in a commercial area?

A: The Neighborhood Revitalization Plan is formulated by the Junction City/Geary County Economic Development Commission and approved by the Geary County Commission, U.S.D. #475 School Board and the City of Junction City Commission. It has been modified and changed over the years and has different benefits for areas within the City and different benefits for residential versus commercial.

Q: What are the professional certification requirements for the City Commission members, City Engineers and City contracting officials, so an ethical and proficient standard is maintained?

A: The City Engineer must be a licensed professional engineer through the State of Kansas Board of Technical Profession. Contracting officials are required to have the applicable license for general contracting, plumbing, heating, mechanical work completed in the City. State law regulates the qualifications for City Commission.

Q: Is there a sanctioned/preferred realtor for the City? Why are the same people involved in the approval process on different committees for the same projects? i.e., EDC and City Commission. Why are the listings of EDC members not up to date on the website?

A: There are no sanctioned/preferred realtors for the City. The City works with numerous realtors through out the year and does not have a preferred realtor. The City Commission members are appointed to various boards and commissions as representatives of the City. For example, The City Commissioners serve on the Junction City/Geary County Health Department, Junction City/Geary County Economic Development Commission, Junction City/Geary County Animal Shelter Board, ex officio member to the Geary County Convention & Tourism Board, etc. The board and commission information is updated periodically.

Q: Are the taxpayers paying for contractors to keep the Highway hot? Contractors are traveling to and from Wichita daily, which must have been factored into the bid. Were these contracts awarded to the lowest bidders? Are you willing to present this information to the public?

A: The City awards bids for various infrastructure projects to the low bidder. We have contractors working in the community that are from numerous locations in the State and region. The City is glad to share specific information about bidding to the public.

Q: Why are websites pertaining to JC not updated regularly? Who actually builds the website? How much was paid for it? Who actually got paid? Who is actually responsible for updating the website? Since the commission meeting agenda is on the City website, why can the resulting vote not be published as well by close of the following business day? Preferably by who voted yea and who voted nay; as a means of informing the public? Where is a record of the minutes kept for the public to review? Are you will to commit to ensure this is done from today on?

A: HK Associates built the website and was paid a fee for web design in the amount of $1,825 to complete the website in 2002. A team of City staff works on the website on a regular basis to update the information. The official record of the City Commission meetings is the minutes. They are not approved for a current meeting until the next preceding City Commission meeting. The minutes are being posted on the City website and they outline the vote by agenda item. 2007 and 2008 minutes are posted and can be viewed.

Q: What are your plans on posting, interviewing and filling positions for City Planner and CFO? We need them, in lieu of Public Relations person. One person holding multiple positions (i.e., City Manager); where are the checks and balances? How are fraud, waste and abuse prevented? When can we expect the 2007 Budget Report? The report for 2006 took 8 + months to be accomplished.

A: The planner and finance director positions are reviewed in the annual budget process each year. In 2008, the City Commission elected to not fill the planner position in the budget process. There are a number of checks and balances in place through out the organization including audits by the State of Kansas, and an independent auditor each year. The City does not present annual budget reports. We present an annual report each year and we complete a comprehensive annual financial report each year in conjunction with the audit. It is normally completed within six months of the end of the fiscal year. The 2007 report should be completed by June 30, 2008.

Q: Do you seriously believe JC will become a destination city? Wichita, the largest city in the State, 375K+ residents and growing population, could not achieve that; example: the bankrupt Wild West Amusement Park.

A: Junction City continues to develop as a regional destination for the area population. An indication of this is the pull factor that the State of Kansas evaluates annually. The City’s current 2006 pull factor is 1.35. That means that for every dollar generated within the community, 35 cents is coming from outside the community.

Q: What is the City’s Vision and Core values? Does the City have a Mission Statement? Is there a Fraud, Waste and Abuse Program in place? Who is the Ethic’s Officer?

A: The City’s mission statement is “The City is committed to Delivering Excellence in service to the citizens of Junction City through innovation, technology and value.” The goals are to Provide quality customer service to the citizens of the community; communicate, listen and value individual citizen diversity; insure that every employee within the City organization is sufficiently trained to carry out the responsibilities of the organization; and to foster growth, expansion and profitability of existing business and industry through an organized and dedicated city/county effort. The City’s personnel policies and guidelines covers fraud, waste and abuse. In addition, it contains the City’s code of ethics.

Q: The Spruce street water tower is rusting away and as of today nothing has been done. Why?

A: The Spruce Street water tower painting is included in the 2008 Water and Sewer Capital budget. The project will be bid and completed during 2008.

Q: What is the criteria for resurfacing streets?

A: The City uses an index to measure deterioration on streets. Factors include cracks, subgrade failure, drainage issues, age and overall condition. We have a number of streets planned on the 2008 annual Street Maintenance. We will examine both of the streets you recommend for inclusion.

Q: Who inspects the quality of work done on our streets?

A: The City uses engineers to inspect the work done on our streets. Some of the inspection is completed by inhouse engineering staff and some by contract services. The Ash & Eisenhower intersection is under redesign using concrete apron approaches at the intersection.

Q: The signage on Chestnut Street from Washington to the top of the hill is inconsistent. Lets put stop signs at all the intersections instead of stop, yield and no stop.

A: The City Engineer is completing a traffic study of this street and will make recommendations to the City Commission for signage in the near future.

Q: With all the new construction, has the engineer professional services been bid properly? Are we getting the best deal on those services? It seems to me that we have been stuck with Kaw Valley who is paid more than the average for their services. If this is not a true statement can you all show me proof that they are not getting more than the average for their services.

A: The City requests proposals for engineering services based on the State of Kansas criteria for selection using various factors including experience, qualifications of staff and availability of services. The price is negotiated once the most qualified firm is selected. Examples of this are the traffic signals at Highway 77 and Ash, Transsytems is the engineer; Highway 77 Corridor Management Study, HNTB is the engineer; Rucker Road improvements, B&G Consultants is the engineer; airport management projects has HWS as the engineer. All of these were selected through a bid process. All subdivision work in the community by private developers is completed through the developers selection of an engineer. The City bid a construction inspection contract approximately 18 months ago for making sure the engineer complete the work properly. That contract was awarded to Kaw Valley Engineering. It will be up for bid this fall.

Q: Question about EDC doing better on job recruitment.

A: The City Commission recruits companies for the community based on a number of factors. They have not specified a wage rate that must be paid. UPU Industries has struggled to fill their positions and the City has worked with them to accommodate their needs.

Q: Do you really think that you are going to be able to keep baby boomers and senior citizens in this town?

Yes, the City Commission is working hard to insure our community has all of the necessary amenities for citizens. This includes a first rate hospital, recreational opportunities, jobs, inviting retail and infrastructure. Junction City is a great place to live and raise a family.