City of Humboldt, Kansas - Community Projects

The Humboldt City Council has approved a special election for local registered voters to vote on a ¼ cent sales tax increase to fund improvements and maintenance of the City swimming pool complex. A mail ballot election will be done, with ballots to be sent out to all registered voters in May and must be returned by June 3rd. The question on the ballot:

“Shall a retailer’s sales tax in the amount of one-fourth of one percent (.25%) (in addition to the city’s current sales tax of one percent (1%) for a total of one and one-fourth percent (1.25%), be levied in the City of Humboldt, Kansas for the purpose of funding improvements and maintenance of the city swimming pool, such tax to take effect on the 1st day of October 2008?”

The proposed swimming pool improvements consist of the following:
• ADA accessible bathroom and shower
• Replacement of existing pump and circulation equipment
• Zero depth entry level pool addition
• Additional pool decking
• New water features.

The estimated cost to complete the improvements will be $437,650. The project is to be funded by grants, donations and an increase in the City sales tax.

A ¼ local sales tax increase will raise about $35,000 per year. This would allow the City to pay off general obligation bonds over the next 15 years plus provide money to continue swimming pool maintenance.

A ¼ cent increase in local sales tax would cost an average household less than 7 cents per day. Also, those living outside of Humboldt would help pay the sales tax as they make retail purchases in the City.

Park improvements are also a part of the project including picnic tables, playground equipment and a sand volleyball court south of the existing pool.

Construction on the project would start after the current pool season is over in September. The new improvements would be completed and ready for the 2009 pool season.

If you have any questions regarding the project, please contact City Hall at (620) 473-3232.

To encourage housing and building improvements in Humboldt, the City has adopted a Neighborhood Revitalization Plan. The Plan provides for tax refunds to any property owner who makes at least $3,000 in improvements to residential housing, or at least $5,000 in improvements to commercial or industrial buildings, which are located in the designated eligible areas of the City.

How Does the Plan Work?
Any eligible property owner who wishes to make improvements must first obtain an approved building permit from City Hall. When the improvements have been completed, the building permit is submitted to the County Appraiser for appraisal of the improvements made. If the appraisal of the improvements is at least $3,000 (residential) or $5,000 (commercial/industrial), the County will set aside money to refund future taxes paid by the property owner on the value of the new improvements.

How Long Will The Property Tax Refunds Last?
The Plan provides for a 100% tax refund if the additional tax paid on the value of the new improvements during the first six years and a limited refund for the next four years. The amount of the refund will be determined by how many other taxing districts in addition to the city agree to participate in the plan (i.e. USD 258, Allen County and Allen County Community College.)

What Areas of Humboldt Have Been Designated for Improvements?
To be eligible for the tax refund, the improved property must be located either in the Central Business District defined as between Neosho and Cherokee streets and between 6th and 10th treets (highlighted in blue), or located South of Bridge Street to the City limits (highlighted in green). See map below.

When Can I Expect My Tax refund?
For improvements that are completed before January 1, 2009, the County will issue refunds beginning in December, 2009, or 30 days after the 2008 property taxes are paid. For any improvements completed after January 1, 2009, the refunds will be issued similarly in 2010.

How Can I Find Out More Information?
If you would like more information about the Neighborhood Revitalization Plan, please contact City Hall at (620) 473-3232, or write:
City of Humboldt
P O Box 228
Humboldt KS 66748

Topeka, KS - Kansas Housing Resources Corporation, the state housing agency, has awarded nearly $2 million in Homeowner Rehabilitation (HR) Assistance Awards to 11 Kansas communities. Humboldt will receive $222,222 in the grant. The grants, funded through the federal HOME Investment Partnerships Program, are distributed to cities and counties to facilitate the renovation, accessibility and weatherization of substandard housing within their communities.

“Unfortunately, many Kansans are still living in homes that are unsafe," said Tricia McAllister, Homeowner Rehabilitation Program Manager. "The grants awarded today will help provide a comfortable and safe environment for 100 families who otherwise can’t afford basic repairs to their homes."

Local municipalities distribute the HR assistance in the form of a deferred loan, allowing homeowners to make repairs, bring their home up to code and eliminate other health and safety hazards. Home improvements may include:

· Repair or replacement of major housing systems and structural components
· Essential energy related repairs or improvements
· Accessibility modifications to allow use by persons with disabilities
· Reduction of lead paint hazards
· Repairs necessary to meet housing quality standards and local building codes

Individuals eligible for HR assistance are those who reside in the home as their principal residence and whose household income is no more than 80 percent of the area median gross annual income. Interested homeowners may apply directly to the local communities receiving HR funding.

A complete list of communities receiving homeowner rehab awards may be found online at http://www.kshousingcorp.org/display/files/HR/HR_2007_Alloc.pdf. Priority is given to communities that target elderly homeowners, persons with disabilities, and families with school-age children. For more information about the Homeowner Rehabilitation program, please contact Tricia McAllister of KHRC at 785-296-6836. Certain restrictions apply. Applicants should consult KHRC’s website for details.

Homeowner Rehabilitation grants advance KHRC’s primary goal of enhancing Kansas communities with housing opportunities using a variety of strategies and approaches, including increasing homeownership opportunities, promoting energy efficiency improvements for owner-occupied and rental housing and providing affordable housing through rent assistance to low-income families and senior citizens.

"Start and support new things." "Grow by building on our assets." "Engage non-involved citizens - especially young adults." "Build future opportunities for youth to return."

These were some of the hopes shared by members of Humboldt's newly formed Public Square Steering Committee at their first meeting last Thursday. Present were Kay Bolt, Melissa Hunber, Paul Finney, Jeremy Weilert, Pam Maloney, Walter Wulf, Jr., Mayor Robert Sharp and Cole Herder. Also joining the discussion were Vada Aikens and Janice McCullough who reported on the recent Kansas Communities Conference in Salina. "Leaders of 13 other communities were there, and some of them are starting from the bottom - like Greensburg. It was inspiring to feel their excitement, and it made me appreciate how much we already have going for us," Aikens told the group.

Kansas Communities LLC, represented by Terry Woodbury and Rick Behrens, will facilitate the Public Square process which will begin interviewing over 70 citizens in January. Woodbury, President of Kansas Communities LLC, said his mission is to "rebuild the Public Square in Kansas, one community at a time." The Public Square refers to building cooperation among all four sectors -- Business, Education, Health & Human Service, and Government.

After the interviews, a Community Conversation will generate a wide range of improvement ideas for the Humboldt area encompassing the school district. Then, a Vision Retreat of some 40 leaders will produce goals and set Action Teams in motion to work on those goals.

"It's all about citizens working together for the common good," Woodbury said, "and staying focused on taking what's already working, then making it better." Woodbury urged people to go on his website, www.kscomm.net, and see what other communities are accomplishing.

The Steering Committee is raising $3,500 of seed money to get the process started. The City and School District have pledged $1,500 and Steering Committee members are inviting businesses, organizations and individuals to match the city and school district to raise the remaining $2,000 to get started. "It's important for the seed money to come from all sectors," explained Woodbury. "This involves the entire community: healthcare, schools, churches, businesses - everybody."

Contact any member of the Steering Committee or City Hall at 473-3232 to make a contribution and to learn more about this exciting new venture.