Chanute train depot needs work
CHANUTE Several projects will be required to keep the old Chanute train depot in good shape, city and library leaders said, as reported in The Chanute Tribune. The building houses the library and the Martin and Osa Johnson Safari Museum. The capstone, gutters and exterior trim need an estimated $11,468 in repairs. Heating, ventilation and air conditioning work is expected to cost $250,000. Four restrooms need a facelift at an estimated cost between $25,000 to $30,000 for each restroom.
Wind farm could
benefit schools
ERIE School districts could benefit from proposed wind farms if counties agree to distribute money to them, The Parsons Sun reported. Wind farms are exempt from property taxes for the first 10 years of operation, but energy companies typically pay payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) to compensate counties for the lost taxes. Many counties designate part of the PILOT as a gift to school districts. Neosho Ridge Wind LLC has proposed paying $605,000 annually for 10 years, with a suggestion that 25 percent would go to county school districts. That would be about $151,250.
Sewer rehab work saves money
PARSONS A sewer rehabilitation project ended its third and final phase under budget, with the city returning money to the state, The Parsons Sun reported. The city will return $140,674.27 to the Kansas Department of Commerce after savings from a $500,000 Community Development Block Grant. The city repaired or replaced 16 manholes, relined 343 vertical feet of manholes, cleaned and inspected 18,658 linear feet of sewer lines and used cured-in-place lining material to repair another 15,000 feet or so of other pipes, among other work. The total cost was $1.25 million.
Fredonia looks at infrastructure
FREDONIA After celebrating Fredonias 150th birthday in August, city leaders turned their attention to aging infrastructure, The Wilson County citizen reported. Mayer Specialties has begun the process of cleaning and videoing all of Fredonias wastewater lines. Major problems will be repaired immediately. Funding for the project comes from a half-cent infrastructure sales tax and a one-cent General Obligation Bond tax approved by voters in 2013.
Commissioners at odds on expansion
GARNETT A city commissioner plans to circulate a petition to force a public vote on whether to expand the Garnett commission from three to five members, after she was the opposing vote in a 2-1 decision in favor of expansion, according to The Anderson County Review. The city asked voters in November 2018 if they favored the expansion, which passed by a 57-vote margin. The vote wasnt binding, the other commissioners said they would honor voters wishes.
Commissioner Jody Cole, though disagreed with the added costs and pledged to seek a new election with a binding decision.
