GUESTS: Mimi Meredith, Mary Grace Clements and John Deardoff, our guest speakers. Colby and Cayden, guests of dad Ward Davis.
FINES: Troy Thode with help from John Knipp were our Sergeants. They kept it short and those not wearing a tie were fined a $1.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Board Meeting 6:15 AM Next Friday!
PROGRAM: Darren Wicks introduced Mimi Meredith, Mary Grace Clements and John Deardoff who were here to promote the Vote Yes Quarter-Cent Sales Tax Renewal campaign. The vote will be held November 7th for registered voters within the city to either continue the quarter-cent special sales tax that we currently have. The tax will currently expire March 30, 2019 if not renewed. John Deardoff, City Manger, began by explaining some of the history of the quarter-cent special sales tax that began in 1994 following a vote in 1993 with the city receiving 50% of the revenue for street improvement and the Cosmosphere receiving 50%. The quarter-cent sales tax has been continuously renewed by voters with the percentages, term and those benefiting varying slightly. John explained the citys street improvement benefit portion. Based on 2016 revenue the city received $1,055,715 for city street improvements and maintenance from the sales tax. The city currently maintains 275 miles of streets within the city. He also explained that $336,930 was directed toward property tax relief which meant one less mill was assessed for every resident who pays property tax in Hutchinson. Mimi Meredith, Vice President of Development and Marketing for the Cosmosphere explained they received $741,247 which represents 16% of the Cosmospheres operating budget. The Cosmosphere attracts 100,000 visitors a year and 86% come from outside Hutchinson resulting in an estimated economic impact of $13.4 million. Mary Grace Clements, Executive Director of Strataca and the Reno County Museum explained that Strataca received $112,310 which represents 15.6% of Stratacas budget. Strataca Kansas Underground Salt Museum attracts 50,000 visitors annually with 94% coming from outside Hutchinson with an estimated economic impact of $4.7 million. If you want to keep the street improvements at the pace they have been and you want to keep the property tax relief that we have had and you want to keep the Cosmosphere and Strataca operating as they have since 1994 then you need to vote YES to continue the quarter-cent sales tax!! For more information visit www.hutchgov.com/quartercent or e-mail salestaxinfo@hutchgov.com. They will also be at Stage 9 on Third Thursday the 19th to answer questions.
Lucky Ace Drawing: Terry Brigman drew the 9 of Clubs for $5. The pot is $349
Newsletter Drawing: Not held due to missing question (cyber glitch).
Newsletter Question: For $30What four areas benefit from the quarter-cent sales tax?
Calendar: Invite or better yet, bring a guest to breakfast to find out.
Editor: Steve Conard