Early in March, our daughter Brynn went on a missions trip sponsored by the university she attends in Ohio - Cedarville University. She went with about 30 other students to Puebla, Mexico to work a camp for elementary and junior high kids.
On one of the last days the group was there, one of the young men was injured and broke the C2 vertebrae. Long story short is that it was a severe and life threatening injury.
Because I am a Christian and I do not believe in coincidences, I believe God put a number of people on that site that day with equipment that normally wouldn't be there. The people who helped keep him alive were incredible. One fellow "bagged" the young man for 1.5 hours. That meant he pumped air into and out of his lungs for that time. You can read about those situations in the Blog.
Listening (actually reading them) to the stories makes one really appreciate the level of medical care we are able to provide. What they had to do to get him back to the USA was incredible.
Which leads me to tell you about the new Blog my family reads. www.checkinondan.blogspot.com
The young man's name is Dan Knudsen. He is a junior at Cedarville University. Today he is paralyzed from his ears down and getting all sorts of therapy to get him back breathing on his own.
I encourage you to read his family's Blog about what is going on. Take time to read the comments, which are many, and get the perspective of how precious life really is. Start at the beginning and get current. Get a box of Kleenex, you will need it. When you are finished you will see life as it really is and how positive you can be.
This is a challenge I hope you will take. It has reminded me of situations Susan and I have been through and the sustaining power Christ gives to us each day. LP
Friday, March 30, 2007
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Sales Tax Continues
I wrote earlier about the attention I pay to Sale Tax receipts the city receives. It is a barometer for me to see how business is doing.
Today the March distribution was forwarded to us. We will see it in the bank probably Thursday. The nice thing to report is that March revenue out paced the year to date mount from 2006.
The total received last year was $366,645. Received so far is $386,049. This amount puts us 5% more than 2006. I don't have a feel for the sales tax growth in other rural markets beyond a comment I heard from Secretary of Revenue Joan Wagmon in January 07 when she said that most of Kansas has flat or less sales tax growth.
Remember that next Tuesday is the election. As they say in Chicago "vote early, vote often."
Today the March distribution was forwarded to us. We will see it in the bank probably Thursday. The nice thing to report is that March revenue out paced the year to date mount from 2006.
The total received last year was $366,645. Received so far is $386,049. This amount puts us 5% more than 2006. I don't have a feel for the sales tax growth in other rural markets beyond a comment I heard from Secretary of Revenue Joan Wagmon in January 07 when she said that most of Kansas has flat or less sales tax growth.
Remember that next Tuesday is the election. As they say in Chicago "vote early, vote often."
Monday, February 26, 2007
Sale Tax Report
The news continues to be good on the sales tax front. Concordia's receipts for February (January transactions) was $139,948.66. We received $130,776.14 in January 2006. The collections year to date are $17,526.51 more in 2007 than in 2006.
Yes, business is good in Concordia! Thank you for supporting our local businesses.
Also, Tuesday is primary election day for the City Commission and the Community College. Remember to vote.
Yes, business is good in Concordia! Thank you for supporting our local businesses.
Also, Tuesday is primary election day for the City Commission and the Community College. Remember to vote.
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Elections
Tuesday is the primary election for both the City Commission (two seats) and Cloud County Community College (three seats).
The City primary election will rduce the candidates from six to four. The Community College primary will reduce their field down to six.
Voting is an important right that we as American's are not regarding as important any more. As a student of the political process, I was impressed by Iraqi voters braving personal danger to vote.
How would you justify not voting to an Iraqi voter?
The City primary election will rduce the candidates from six to four. The Community College primary will reduce their field down to six.
Voting is an important right that we as American's are not regarding as important any more. As a student of the political process, I was impressed by Iraqi voters braving personal danger to vote.
How would you justify not voting to an Iraqi voter?
Friday, February 09, 2007
Character Counts!
Mayor Joe Strecker gave this to me last week. I comes from the River Valley District Extension Newsletter. The newsletter says that this is the first of 6 articles. I hope to get the others and post them here too.
Have you heard of the Six Pillars of Character? If not, let's introduce those to you. This is going to be the first article in a series covering the Six Pillars of Character. Please feel free to use this information in your daily lives and in your communities as we all strive to be better citizens.
The Six Pillars of Character are: Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, and Citizenship. This month we are looking at the broad overview of these Characteristics, in the months to follow there will be specific information about each pillar as well as activities to use at home, at work, at meetings, and other places.
Trustworthiness Be honest
· Don't deceive, cheat or steal
· Be reliable
Respect
· Treat others with respect; follow the Golden Rule Use good manners, not bad language
· Be considerate of the feelings of others
Responsibility
· Do what you are supposed to do Always do your best
· Think before you act - consider the consequences
Fairness
· Play by the rules
· Be open-minded; listen to others Don't take advantage of others
Caring
· Be kind
· Express gratitude Forgive others
Citizenship
· Do your share to make your school and community better
· Get involved in community affairs
· Obey laws and rules
(Amanda Lott, District 4-H and Youth Development)
Have you heard of the Six Pillars of Character? If not, let's introduce those to you. This is going to be the first article in a series covering the Six Pillars of Character. Please feel free to use this information in your daily lives and in your communities as we all strive to be better citizens.
The Six Pillars of Character are: Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, and Citizenship. This month we are looking at the broad overview of these Characteristics, in the months to follow there will be specific information about each pillar as well as activities to use at home, at work, at meetings, and other places.
Trustworthiness Be honest
· Don't deceive, cheat or steal
· Be reliable
Respect
· Treat others with respect; follow the Golden Rule Use good manners, not bad language
· Be considerate of the feelings of others
Responsibility
· Do what you are supposed to do Always do your best
· Think before you act - consider the consequences
Fairness
· Play by the rules
· Be open-minded; listen to others Don't take advantage of others
Caring
· Be kind
· Express gratitude Forgive others
Citizenship
· Do your share to make your school and community better
· Get involved in community affairs
· Obey laws and rules
(Amanda Lott, District 4-H and Youth Development)
Thursday, January 25, 2007
City Hall Day at the Legislature
Today, Commissioners Joe Jindra and Darrel Hosie and I ventured up to Topeka for the League of Kansas Municipalities’ City Hall Day at the Legislature event. It usually requires that we leave when it is dark. (I don’t like getting up that early.) I enjoyed the drive because it reminded me of winter in the San Joaquin Valley where I grew up. From Clay Center to past Manhattan fog covered the road. It was also an opportunity to get quality time with two members of the Commission.
The event brings elected and appointed officials to Topeka to hear about what the legislature is doing from the House and Senate leadership and to get updates from LKM staff. Today we learned that there is a new constitutional amendment proposed that will freeze property tax values for those over 65 years of age.
We also heard about the SB 323 approved last year. It is the Eminent Domain bill. Legislation is being proposed to address the use of eminent domain in the areas where blight is involved. A new definition of blight is being proposed – although we did not hear what it was.
The resumption of Local Ad Valorem Tax Reduction revenue (LAVTR) was discussed. LAVTR was created in 1965 to help communities lower their ad valorem tax (property tax). During the Graves administration, the State of Kansas decided that they needed those funds to balance the State budget forcing local entities to come up with local funds to off set the loss of LAVTR. The impact to Concordia was in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. I was working in Baldwin City at the time and the loss of those funds was $200-$300 thousand. That was a considerable hit on the ability to fund the budget. If that happened today, it would be 8.7 Mills that would be made up by both new tax revenue and reductions in spending.
We heard about the changes in FCC Cable Rules that are affecting municipalities across the nation. In budget comments the past several years, I have pointed out that franchise fees for Cable, Telephone, Gas, and Electric are at risk from the US Congress. We are projecting $533,000 in 2007 revenue that could disappear by congressional action. Franchise fees are our third highest source behind Sales Tax ($1.5 million) and Property Tax ($619,000).
SM 20 is a bill requiring all units of government to be a member of Kansas One Call. One Call is a private organization that coordinates location of underground utilities so contractors can carefully excavate without disturbing a buried water, sewer, gas, electric, or cable line. The problem with this bill is that it is mandatory. The City is a member of One Call but there are 222 communities with populations less than 500 that cannot afford to participate. Many times, we have one employee spend the entire day marking locations for contractors. This bill would also put the oversight of local utilities under the jurisdiction of the KCC. From our point of view, oversight is better left in the hands of the City Commission – at the local level.
One of the most interesting speakers was House Utilities Chairman Carl Holmes (R-125). He spoke of the many things that were happening in the Utility area. One key point I picked up on was the development of transmission lines so wind energy projects can be developed. Capacity on transmission lines is one of the problems of expanding renewable wind energy in Kansas. This is something I need to watch.
The highlight of our day was spending time with new Representative Elaine Bowers. It was fun to see the enthusiasm she expressed toward the work she is now doing. Those who know Elaine are not surprised by this. During our conversations, she took us on the house floor where she introduced us to several new legislators and also the Speaker of the House. We are looking forward to working with Representative Bowers in her new role. Even as a 3 week freshman legislator, she seems very comfortable in this role.
Note to Jim: I am writing at 8:48 PM at the dining room table. Blogging is a part of communicating what is happening in and around the City. I enjoy it, people enjoy it from all over the world (right, I said world), the Commissions likes that I am doing it, therefore, don’t be surprised that I continue to write.
The event brings elected and appointed officials to Topeka to hear about what the legislature is doing from the House and Senate leadership and to get updates from LKM staff. Today we learned that there is a new constitutional amendment proposed that will freeze property tax values for those over 65 years of age.
We also heard about the SB 323 approved last year. It is the Eminent Domain bill. Legislation is being proposed to address the use of eminent domain in the areas where blight is involved. A new definition of blight is being proposed – although we did not hear what it was.
The resumption of Local Ad Valorem Tax Reduction revenue (LAVTR) was discussed. LAVTR was created in 1965 to help communities lower their ad valorem tax (property tax). During the Graves administration, the State of Kansas decided that they needed those funds to balance the State budget forcing local entities to come up with local funds to off set the loss of LAVTR. The impact to Concordia was in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. I was working in Baldwin City at the time and the loss of those funds was $200-$300 thousand. That was a considerable hit on the ability to fund the budget. If that happened today, it would be 8.7 Mills that would be made up by both new tax revenue and reductions in spending.
We heard about the changes in FCC Cable Rules that are affecting municipalities across the nation. In budget comments the past several years, I have pointed out that franchise fees for Cable, Telephone, Gas, and Electric are at risk from the US Congress. We are projecting $533,000 in 2007 revenue that could disappear by congressional action. Franchise fees are our third highest source behind Sales Tax ($1.5 million) and Property Tax ($619,000).
SM 20 is a bill requiring all units of government to be a member of Kansas One Call. One Call is a private organization that coordinates location of underground utilities so contractors can carefully excavate without disturbing a buried water, sewer, gas, electric, or cable line. The problem with this bill is that it is mandatory. The City is a member of One Call but there are 222 communities with populations less than 500 that cannot afford to participate. Many times, we have one employee spend the entire day marking locations for contractors. This bill would also put the oversight of local utilities under the jurisdiction of the KCC. From our point of view, oversight is better left in the hands of the City Commission – at the local level.
One of the most interesting speakers was House Utilities Chairman Carl Holmes (R-125). He spoke of the many things that were happening in the Utility area. One key point I picked up on was the development of transmission lines so wind energy projects can be developed. Capacity on transmission lines is one of the problems of expanding renewable wind energy in Kansas. This is something I need to watch.
The highlight of our day was spending time with new Representative Elaine Bowers. It was fun to see the enthusiasm she expressed toward the work she is now doing. Those who know Elaine are not surprised by this. During our conversations, she took us on the house floor where she introduced us to several new legislators and also the Speaker of the House. We are looking forward to working with Representative Bowers in her new role. Even as a 3 week freshman legislator, she seems very comfortable in this role.
Note to Jim: I am writing at 8:48 PM at the dining room table. Blogging is a part of communicating what is happening in and around the City. I enjoy it, people enjoy it from all over the world (right, I said world), the Commissions likes that I am doing it, therefore, don’t be surprised that I continue to write.
City Sales Tax Increases for January 2007
Today, we received notice of the Sales Tax distribution from the State Treasurer. Collections paid to the City amounted to $131,021.97. January receipts from 2006 were $122,667.98.
It looks like Concordia businesses had an exceptional Christmas season. The growth in the tax receipts from the previous January were 6.8%. Congratulations Concordia businesses.
It looks like Concordia businesses had an exceptional Christmas season. The growth in the tax receipts from the previous January were 6.8%. Congratulations Concordia businesses.
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Monday, January 15, 2007
Chamber Dinner
A number of you were able to brave the snow and ice to attend the Annual Chamber Dinner Sunday night. For the out of town readers, for the past several years, the Chamber speaker has been the "community" (now there is a grammar challenge for you).
The format is that 15 community leaders get three minutes to give an update on their organization. Sure, it is short but you can say a lot in three minutes
Several people I talked with after the dinner mentioned the same thing. The City, County, School District, Community College and Hospital were repeat speakers. What was very interesting to see and it spoke volumes about what Concordia is now becoming.
Most of the other speakers were saying thank you for being one of my customers. Thank you for encouraging me with my business. The comments were very positive. It seems to me that a business cannot survive without the folks behind it being positive. It helps customers WANT to come back.
Some of the speakers were several of the new businesses that opened in 2006. They are getting involved in the Chamber right from the beginning. Way to go Roberta (Lowrey) for getting these folks connected.
You can read the story in the Blade-Empire http://www.bladeempire.com/web/isite.dll?1168888641703.
The format is that 15 community leaders get three minutes to give an update on their organization. Sure, it is short but you can say a lot in three minutes
Several people I talked with after the dinner mentioned the same thing. The City, County, School District, Community College and Hospital were repeat speakers. What was very interesting to see and it spoke volumes about what Concordia is now becoming.
Most of the other speakers were saying thank you for being one of my customers. Thank you for encouraging me with my business. The comments were very positive. It seems to me that a business cannot survive without the folks behind it being positive. It helps customers WANT to come back.
Some of the speakers were several of the new businesses that opened in 2006. They are getting involved in the Chamber right from the beginning. Way to go Roberta (Lowrey) for getting these folks connected.
You can read the story in the Blade-Empire http://www.bladeempire.com/web/isite.dll?1168888641703.
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Continuous Improvement
In the context of my posting about working on the Baldrige Award, I found this little quote to have both a powerful message and also to say that improvement is incremental. If we get better than where we were when we started, then success can be identified.
Continuous improvement is the goal.
Let’s not make the perfect the enemy of the good.
Good, Better, Best.
Never Let Me Rest.
Until My Good Is Better.
And My Better Best.
Army Ranger Slogan
Continuous improvement is the goal.
Let’s not make the perfect the enemy of the good.
Good, Better, Best.
Never Let Me Rest.
Until My Good Is Better.
And My Better Best.
Army Ranger Slogan
Saturday, December 30, 2006
Shoot for the Stars
Today, I was reading one of the several Blogs I check. While reading, I thought of the context of this piece. We always think at the end of the year about what we accomplished and what is planned for the New Year.
I reviewed a list of the objectives I had for our department heads and key staff. Most of the items were addressed, although some were not achieved in the manner I expected them to be completed. Still, we had a pretty impressive list.
2007 will be a year that will mark some significant change for us. As I shared with the staff Wednesday, I have been thinking about quality for some time. When I met with the City Commission for my job interview in December 2002, I stated that one of my personal objectives for the time I am City Manager is for the organization to be recognized as the best managed small city in America.
Now I am not talking about City Manager management but management of the City of Concordia. To accomplish that objective, the key metric is to be “recognized.”
Here is the objective for 2007- we are going to start work to win one of the Malcolm Baldrige Awards. For those who want to check it out, go to this web site: http://www.baldrige.nist.gov/.
As I type, I can hear the mocking going on down at the coffee shop, which is probably the right place for it. Everybody knows that “no work is done at the coffee shop.”
Every teacher we had, every coach we played for, every boss we ever worked for told us that we needed to stretch our daily performance to excel and to succeed. Every day we get up for school or go to work is a battle to keep from being beaten down. I remember my parents telling me to “reach for the stars. You may not get it but you will be a darn site further than the one who doesn’t try.”
The Baldrige is the “star objective” for me. We may not achieve that goal but we will be recognized as a leader in municipal governance because we are trying.
I reviewed a list of the objectives I had for our department heads and key staff. Most of the items were addressed, although some were not achieved in the manner I expected them to be completed. Still, we had a pretty impressive list.
2007 will be a year that will mark some significant change for us. As I shared with the staff Wednesday, I have been thinking about quality for some time. When I met with the City Commission for my job interview in December 2002, I stated that one of my personal objectives for the time I am City Manager is for the organization to be recognized as the best managed small city in America.
Now I am not talking about City Manager management but management of the City of Concordia. To accomplish that objective, the key metric is to be “recognized.”
Here is the objective for 2007- we are going to start work to win one of the Malcolm Baldrige Awards. For those who want to check it out, go to this web site: http://www.baldrige.nist.gov/.
As I type, I can hear the mocking going on down at the coffee shop, which is probably the right place for it. Everybody knows that “no work is done at the coffee shop.”
Every teacher we had, every coach we played for, every boss we ever worked for told us that we needed to stretch our daily performance to excel and to succeed. Every day we get up for school or go to work is a battle to keep from being beaten down. I remember my parents telling me to “reach for the stars. You may not get it but you will be a darn site further than the one who doesn’t try.”
The Baldrige is the “star objective” for me. We may not achieve that goal but we will be recognized as a leader in municipal governance because we are trying.
Monday, December 18, 2006
Ethanol Water Study
A couple of weeks ago, I did a presentation to the City Commission regarding the upcoming Ethanol Plant to be located here in Concordia. The chief aim of the presentation was to address some of the misinformation circulating about the community. What I intend to do here is reflect on what I see happening.
For those who are outside of Concordia reading, Everton Energy LLC announced they plan to construct a 110 million gallon ethanol production facility on the east side of Concordia. Land options have been signed while the company does its water investigation.
Water is a key element in the success of this proposed project. As a result, we asked Everton to hire one of the state’s premier water geologists to assist them in locating additional water resources for the project. Everton hired Bob Vincent, owner of Ground Water Associates of Wichita, Kansas. At the present time (12/18/06) they are drilling test wells along Plum Road, south and east of Concordia. These test drillings will generate information about the water formations around Concordia and will be provided back to the City, County, Division of Water Resources (DWR) and the Kansas Geodetic Survey.
The plant will have a requirement for three utility services from the City.
The potable water is for the product processing, clean-up, and domestic use in the office and the plant. The non-potable water will be used for boiler circulation. The daily requirement will be 900,000 GPD (Gallons Per Day) and as engineering proceeds, the manufacture expects to design around a smaller consumptive amount. So, how much smaller? I can truly say, I don’t know.
Everton will be more concerned about that than the City will be. Everton’s objective is to find and provide the water they need above and beyond the current City resources. Those water resources will be given over to the City to manage and sell back to Everton.
Those familiar with Concordia recognize one of our water resources is the Republican River. The City has water rights in the Republican River basin and due to drought conditions the Division of Water Resources has restricted our water consumption from the Republican River basin. Fortunately, we have water resources in two other water formations. They are the Oak Creek Alluvium and the Dakota Aquifer.
Everton is spending their efforts in finding resources in the Dakota Aquifer. This is very good since DWR is not allowing any new uses from the Republican River basin. What DWR is particularly happy about is the effect of water production and discharge will be a net gain from what we currently draw and what we will be returning to the Republican River.
Lest we get excited about the quality of the water going to the river, it will be the same water we are discharging now. What I know of the water use plan is this. The potable water used in processing is a closed loop. Process water is totally used in the production of ethanol and not discharged. When the corn is introduced to the cooking process it is added to a brew. Water is added to get the mixture at a certain moisture level and cooked. Water loss comes from two points in the process. It evaporates as steam and it goes out the plant as Dried Distillers Grain (DDG). The drying process brings back water to the process side and is reused. The biology of the return solution is important because it contains the materials that help break down the corn for the next process. So, there is no discharge of process water.
Effluent water from the City’s waste water treatment plant will be used for operating the boiler and the cooling system. These sources will be discharged from the plant back to Oak Creek and the Republican River so they can replenish those aquifers. Water from the Dakota formation will end up in the Republican River in greater quantities than the City currently draws. There is a Win-Win.
The other Win-Win for Everton and the City is, as I mentioned above, the water rights. Once Everton finds and perfects the water resources, they will give the water rights to the City of Concordia. Another DWR point of concern is that they prefer that a unit of local government be the water provider to the plant. With Everton providing the water rights to the City, they will not be in the water business. This gives DWR another point of comfort.
The last point to cover today is what the City gets from this relationship. I have urged the Commission and CloudCorp to consider when we provide either water or sewer service outside the city limits, we would have as part of our development agreement provisions for annexation. Our agreements thus far include willingness to annex the project in exchange for providing utility service to the plant. This is significant to the future of City tax policy. The current property will be added as commercial value and not as agriculture as it currently is valued. I haven’t tried doing a cost/benefit study yet but I see a general picture looking positive. Again, Everton finding and supplying the water resources to the City, the City selling that water (and effluent water) to Everton and property tax gains on the project’s Assessed Value.
As we wait for the results of the water investigation, we see the possibility of benefits to both Everton and the City of Concordia.
For those who are outside of Concordia reading, Everton Energy LLC announced they plan to construct a 110 million gallon ethanol production facility on the east side of Concordia. Land options have been signed while the company does its water investigation.
Water is a key element in the success of this proposed project. As a result, we asked Everton to hire one of the state’s premier water geologists to assist them in locating additional water resources for the project. Everton hired Bob Vincent, owner of Ground Water Associates of Wichita, Kansas. At the present time (12/18/06) they are drilling test wells along Plum Road, south and east of Concordia. These test drillings will generate information about the water formations around Concordia and will be provided back to the City, County, Division of Water Resources (DWR) and the Kansas Geodetic Survey.
The plant will have a requirement for three utility services from the City.
- Potable water
- Waste water effluent
- Sanitary Sewer
The potable water is for the product processing, clean-up, and domestic use in the office and the plant. The non-potable water will be used for boiler circulation. The daily requirement will be 900,000 GPD (Gallons Per Day) and as engineering proceeds, the manufacture expects to design around a smaller consumptive amount. So, how much smaller? I can truly say, I don’t know.
Everton will be more concerned about that than the City will be. Everton’s objective is to find and provide the water they need above and beyond the current City resources. Those water resources will be given over to the City to manage and sell back to Everton.
Those familiar with Concordia recognize one of our water resources is the Republican River. The City has water rights in the Republican River basin and due to drought conditions the Division of Water Resources has restricted our water consumption from the Republican River basin. Fortunately, we have water resources in two other water formations. They are the Oak Creek Alluvium and the Dakota Aquifer.
Everton is spending their efforts in finding resources in the Dakota Aquifer. This is very good since DWR is not allowing any new uses from the Republican River basin. What DWR is particularly happy about is the effect of water production and discharge will be a net gain from what we currently draw and what we will be returning to the Republican River.
Lest we get excited about the quality of the water going to the river, it will be the same water we are discharging now. What I know of the water use plan is this. The potable water used in processing is a closed loop. Process water is totally used in the production of ethanol and not discharged. When the corn is introduced to the cooking process it is added to a brew. Water is added to get the mixture at a certain moisture level and cooked. Water loss comes from two points in the process. It evaporates as steam and it goes out the plant as Dried Distillers Grain (DDG). The drying process brings back water to the process side and is reused. The biology of the return solution is important because it contains the materials that help break down the corn for the next process. So, there is no discharge of process water.
Effluent water from the City’s waste water treatment plant will be used for operating the boiler and the cooling system. These sources will be discharged from the plant back to Oak Creek and the Republican River so they can replenish those aquifers. Water from the Dakota formation will end up in the Republican River in greater quantities than the City currently draws. There is a Win-Win.
The other Win-Win for Everton and the City is, as I mentioned above, the water rights. Once Everton finds and perfects the water resources, they will give the water rights to the City of Concordia. Another DWR point of concern is that they prefer that a unit of local government be the water provider to the plant. With Everton providing the water rights to the City, they will not be in the water business. This gives DWR another point of comfort.
The last point to cover today is what the City gets from this relationship. I have urged the Commission and CloudCorp to consider when we provide either water or sewer service outside the city limits, we would have as part of our development agreement provisions for annexation. Our agreements thus far include willingness to annex the project in exchange for providing utility service to the plant. This is significant to the future of City tax policy. The current property will be added as commercial value and not as agriculture as it currently is valued. I haven’t tried doing a cost/benefit study yet but I see a general picture looking positive. Again, Everton finding and supplying the water resources to the City, the City selling that water (and effluent water) to Everton and property tax gains on the project’s Assessed Value.
As we wait for the results of the water investigation, we see the possibility of benefits to both Everton and the City of Concordia.
Sunday, December 17, 2006
What's that have to do with the price of tea in China?
Several weeks ago, I attended an Economic Development Conference sponsored by the Kansas Bankers Association. The noon speaker was the President of Kansas State University. He spoke of the awards students were winning. They were not sports awards – Academic Awards. He was reporting on the most recent award winner. She was a Kansas native that won one of the six most prestigious academic awards in the United States. He went on to tell that K-State leads the nation in Public University awards of these six. Private universities have more but K-State leads everyone else.
The week before, I was listening to Concordia High School Counselor Larry Laas, speak about the academic success of students in Concordia. I asked him to look up the records they had at school. Here is his email:
“I looked in my files and found that records began to be kept in 1966. Since that time, Concordia has been fortunate to have 31 National Merit finalists and 45 National Merit Commended Students. In just the last 12 years, we have had 12 National Merit Finalist and 11 National Merit Commended Students. Very impressive for a school our size!”
As my mother used to say, “What does that have to do with the price of tea in China?”
Well, as we recruit businesses to Concordia, as we are now, being able to point to the success of students in the classroom is a key point of interest to owners and families of folks who will come with those businesses.
We are doing something right in our schools. Academics is the primary mission of schools. We should take our hats off to the work our USD 333 staff is doing.
The week before, I was listening to Concordia High School Counselor Larry Laas, speak about the academic success of students in Concordia. I asked him to look up the records they had at school. Here is his email:
“I looked in my files and found that records began to be kept in 1966. Since that time, Concordia has been fortunate to have 31 National Merit finalists and 45 National Merit Commended Students. In just the last 12 years, we have had 12 National Merit Finalist and 11 National Merit Commended Students. Very impressive for a school our size!”
As my mother used to say, “What does that have to do with the price of tea in China?”
Well, as we recruit businesses to Concordia, as we are now, being able to point to the success of students in the classroom is a key point of interest to owners and families of folks who will come with those businesses.
We are doing something right in our schools. Academics is the primary mission of schools. We should take our hats off to the work our USD 333 staff is doing.
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Great Day
Today, I had a great day. I joined Kirk Lowell, John Forshee, Phil Gilliland and Deb Peters (Four Rivers Development Corp, Beloit) at the Kansas Bankers Association Economic Summit.
The Keynote Speaker was Boomtown USA author Jack Schultz. Many of us read his Blog http://boomtownusa.blogspot.com/ regularly. It was good to see him give his presentation live about “The 7 ½ Keys to Big Success in Small Towns.” His message was POWERFUL! It was fun to watch the delivery too. There was energy and commitment in every breath. Wow.
Before the meting started, I introduced myself. As a subscriber of this Blog, he chided me for not writing as frequently as I have in the past. Chiding is noted and I will write more frequently.
Let me give you a summary of the 7 ½ steps
The Keynote Speaker was Boomtown USA author Jack Schultz. Many of us read his Blog http://boomtownusa.blogspot.com/ regularly. It was good to see him give his presentation live about “The 7 ½ Keys to Big Success in Small Towns.” His message was POWERFUL! It was fun to watch the delivery too. There was energy and commitment in every breath. Wow.
Before the meting started, I introduced myself. As a subscriber of this Blog, he chided me for not writing as frequently as I have in the past. Chiding is noted and I will write more frequently.
Let me give you a summary of the 7 ½ steps
- Adopt a “can do” attitude
- Shape your vision
- Leverage your Resources
- Raise up Strong Leaders
- Encourage an Entrepreneurial Approach
- Maintain Local Control
- Build Your Brand
7 1/2 Embrace the Teeter-Totter Factor
This is a teaser. Read the book. There are several in the Community. All the Commissioners got one two years ago. Once you read it, you will see that Concordia is moving in the absolute right direction.
Sunday, October 29, 2006
Whole Wall Project
Last weekend, we were taking our daughter Brynn back to the airport in Omaha so she could fly back to college in Ohio. Having spent several “fast” trips to Omaha this summer due to Susan’s transplant we were able to stop in Lincoln for a change. Susan’s main reason was to find a Scooter’s coffee shop. We fell in love with their smoothies. It is no wonder since they use ice cream mix as their base ingredient.
While searching, we found Hay Market Square. It is around the train depot. As we got out of the car to look around, Susan found a brick mural that reminded me of the Whole Wall Project here in Concordia. Just this last week, the Cloud County Historical Society had their annual banquet and they were showing copies of the artwork that will some day soon decorate the wall of the “old Everett Hardware Store.”
The mural in Lincoln was a reminder of how much the project will beautify one of Concordia’s entrance points. As folks are driving up and down Highway 81, the finished product will cause folks to stop and look.
I am not involved in the fund raising but I am sure that a financial gift would be appreciated.
While searching, we found Hay Market Square. It is around the train depot. As we got out of the car to look around, Susan found a brick mural that reminded me of the Whole Wall Project here in Concordia. Just this last week, the Cloud County Historical Society had their annual banquet and they were showing copies of the artwork that will some day soon decorate the wall of the “old Everett Hardware Store.”
The mural in Lincoln was a reminder of how much the project will beautify one of Concordia’s entrance points. As folks are driving up and down Highway 81, the finished product will cause folks to stop and look.
I am not involved in the fund raising but I am sure that a financial gift would be appreciated.
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Ethanol
I prepared a memorandum to our employees last week which was put in their pay envelopes. Here are my comments.
Given the amount of discussion on the Ethanol Plant, I thought I should give you an update of what I know about of the plans to build an Ethanol Plant in Concordia.
It was publicly announced September 8th that developers have acquired options to purchase a site identified east of Concordia and just south of the fairgrounds for the purpose of building the plant. Their plans depend upon availability of water.
In regard to the City’s involvement in the project, we have been asked to provide effluent from the Waste Water Treatment Plant. We may be involved with the supply of potable water to the plant but that will be using water resources that the developer is securing. The following paragraph was cited in the public announcement:
Everton Energy has retained Kansas’ leading ground water hydrologist and a Kansas water rights attorney. This project team will work closely with the City of Concordia in determining and securing appropriate and ample sources of water while maintaining or increasing the City’s current water rights cushion for its citizens and businesses. If the City can cost effectively provide the needed water to the ethanol plant, Everton Energy will request annexation of its ethanol plant property into the City limits of Concordia.
Those in the water department may recognize the ground water hydrologist as someone we have worked with for several years – Bob Vincent. Bob is a native Concordian and has state wide credentials and is well known for work done in Concordia in the past.
The other point in the announcement that needs reaffirmation is the intent of the developer to secure additional water capacity (which means above and beyond what we currently have) to meet the production requirements of the plant. Comments the developer has made in meetings here in Concordia indicate he intends to make sure the existing water situation is improved for the City.
I sat in a meeting last Friday with Bob Vincent and Keith Stewart, (Assistant Water Commissioner, DWR, Stockton office) where we talked about the ethanol developer looking for and securing water rights for his project. Several issues came up that were pertinent to the water issue
New water rights will be sought in the “Dakota formation.” It is the body of underground water outside the influence of the Republican River Basin. We heard from Vincent and DWR that NO MORE water can be pulled from the Republican River Basin
One of the more interesting facts I learned was that the Republican River is NOT contributing to the volume of water in the Republican River Basin, it is actually extracting it. Recharge come from flooding or high water flows following a rain storm.
Vincent said the water level in the Dakota formation is not falling. Contrary to what is happening in Western Kansas, water levels are staying fairly stable. The practice of taking water in Western Kansas is called “mining” or taking more than is being recharged. In Central and Eastern Kansas the practice is “harvesting” or taking what is being added back to the aquifer.
Once the additional water rights are secured and the plant is constructed, the City will annex the 160 acre property. It has been interesting hearing that the City’s intent is to annex a five mile radius around the town. This claim is so far fetched! The chief reason is that state statute requires that a utility plan be provided for a proposed annexation area if utilities are not already present. By the time annexation occurs, water, sewer and effluent systems will be in place. The rumor about the five mile radius is unreasonable because we cannot possibly afford to provide utility service nor has there been a feasibility study to determine whether any area has practical affordability.
The next step in our process to nail down this opportunity is to draft and have approved a development agreement with Everton Energy. The development agreement will outline the things the City will do or provide as well as what the developer will do or provide. Examples of things that could be included are water services and at what rate they will be paid, where we are in the fire protection process, a statement regarding annexation as well as other points.
This plant will have a positive impact on Concordia. I hope that in the process of seeing it develop, you will feel free to ask any question about the development. I will do my best in answering the questions.
Given the amount of discussion on the Ethanol Plant, I thought I should give you an update of what I know about of the plans to build an Ethanol Plant in Concordia.
It was publicly announced September 8th that developers have acquired options to purchase a site identified east of Concordia and just south of the fairgrounds for the purpose of building the plant. Their plans depend upon availability of water.
In regard to the City’s involvement in the project, we have been asked to provide effluent from the Waste Water Treatment Plant. We may be involved with the supply of potable water to the plant but that will be using water resources that the developer is securing. The following paragraph was cited in the public announcement:
Everton Energy has retained Kansas’ leading ground water hydrologist and a Kansas water rights attorney. This project team will work closely with the City of Concordia in determining and securing appropriate and ample sources of water while maintaining or increasing the City’s current water rights cushion for its citizens and businesses. If the City can cost effectively provide the needed water to the ethanol plant, Everton Energy will request annexation of its ethanol plant property into the City limits of Concordia.
Those in the water department may recognize the ground water hydrologist as someone we have worked with for several years – Bob Vincent. Bob is a native Concordian and has state wide credentials and is well known for work done in Concordia in the past.
The other point in the announcement that needs reaffirmation is the intent of the developer to secure additional water capacity (which means above and beyond what we currently have) to meet the production requirements of the plant. Comments the developer has made in meetings here in Concordia indicate he intends to make sure the existing water situation is improved for the City.
I sat in a meeting last Friday with Bob Vincent and Keith Stewart, (Assistant Water Commissioner, DWR, Stockton office) where we talked about the ethanol developer looking for and securing water rights for his project. Several issues came up that were pertinent to the water issue
New water rights will be sought in the “Dakota formation.” It is the body of underground water outside the influence of the Republican River Basin. We heard from Vincent and DWR that NO MORE water can be pulled from the Republican River Basin
One of the more interesting facts I learned was that the Republican River is NOT contributing to the volume of water in the Republican River Basin, it is actually extracting it. Recharge come from flooding or high water flows following a rain storm.
Vincent said the water level in the Dakota formation is not falling. Contrary to what is happening in Western Kansas, water levels are staying fairly stable. The practice of taking water in Western Kansas is called “mining” or taking more than is being recharged. In Central and Eastern Kansas the practice is “harvesting” or taking what is being added back to the aquifer.
Once the additional water rights are secured and the plant is constructed, the City will annex the 160 acre property. It has been interesting hearing that the City’s intent is to annex a five mile radius around the town. This claim is so far fetched! The chief reason is that state statute requires that a utility plan be provided for a proposed annexation area if utilities are not already present. By the time annexation occurs, water, sewer and effluent systems will be in place. The rumor about the five mile radius is unreasonable because we cannot possibly afford to provide utility service nor has there been a feasibility study to determine whether any area has practical affordability.
The next step in our process to nail down this opportunity is to draft and have approved a development agreement with Everton Energy. The development agreement will outline the things the City will do or provide as well as what the developer will do or provide. Examples of things that could be included are water services and at what rate they will be paid, where we are in the fire protection process, a statement regarding annexation as well as other points.
This plant will have a positive impact on Concordia. I hope that in the process of seeing it develop, you will feel free to ask any question about the development. I will do my best in answering the questions.
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
City Hall Corner Photo
Along with all the other experimenting I have been doing, I found a way to put a photo of City Hall on the Blog. It is obviously the Northwest corner of City Hall for those readers here in town. We have readers literially all over the world - Yes I know who your are. Thanks for keeping in touch!
DiscoverConcordia.com
Over the weekend, we lanched a new website to highlight things going on in Concordia. The site - www.DiscoverConcordia.com is basically called a portal or entry point to other Concordia websites and inormation.
The purpose is to introduce people to Concordia and have an interactive experience. We want a place where we can highlight business needs and where we can keep a community calendar (you can make your own entries but it will be monitored). It is an infant now so the site needs some attention like any newborn will. It is not a site for the City or any other entitity but will allow links to them.
Look at it and send me your comments.
The purpose is to introduce people to Concordia and have an interactive experience. We want a place where we can highlight business needs and where we can keep a community calendar (you can make your own entries but it will be monitored). It is an infant now so the site needs some attention like any newborn will. It is not a site for the City or any other entitity but will allow links to them.
Look at it and send me your comments.
New email addressing
I am trying to get a new email addressing system built into the blog. The service I had on the site ended up being some fellows hobby and not his business. Taking a lead from a fellow blogger, I am using FeedBlitz. It will take a few days of experimenting since I don't do HTML very well.
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