Council Tables Tax Hike

The Kimball City Council discussed yet tabled a .5% increase in city sales tax at the Aug. 16 meeting. The discussion centered on the use of the added sales tax – either infrastructure such as streets or curbs or swimming pool and whether to place it on the Nov. 8 ballot or have a special election.

The sales tax issue may be addressed again at the budget session on Aug. 30, as of Tuesday, Aug. 23, the item had not been placed on the agenda, but it could be added.

A sales tax increase must be placed on the ballot for the voters to approve or reject. To be placed on the Nov. 8 ballot the decision must be made by Sept. 5. If a decision is not made by Sept. 5, the city council could hold a special election for a sales tax increase. Estimates for a special election were around $10,000.

In other business, the council considered and approved Resolution 2022-10, which is an intent to annex property adjacent and contiguous to the City of Kimball. The proposed annexation is the location of the Kimball Community Walking Trail and dog park. With the approval of the resolution, the annexation process will move forward. The planning board will address the issue at their next meeting.

Two public hearing were held with no comments on either, and both resolutions were approved by the council. The first public hearing was to consider an application for a conditional use permit for an In-Home Daycare in Hillcrest Addition at 1112 East 8th Street. Tina Carpenter submitted an application for a conditional use permit for the in-home daycare.

The second public hearing was an application for rezoning of Lots 1, 2 and 3 from R-1 Single-Family Residential to C-2 Light Commercial. The property is located at 905 E. 3rd Street. The applicant for the rezoning was Colby 2022 LLC – Shawn Cross from Leawood, Kansas. This is the proposed site for a Dollar General Marketplace, which is a new brand for Dollar General. Annette Brower, the city administrator, said she was under the impression that the established Dollar General would remain in its present location.

The City Council's current business continued with the council approving a human resource outsourcing agreement with Zelle. According to the Zelle website, they serve more than 1,000 clients, and their motto has always been the same: a Midwestern work ethic built on sound principles of commitment and loyalty. Zelle lowered their price by $1,000 and capped their mileage in order to win the business of the City of Kimball.

Resolution 2022-05 was considered, discussed, and ratified for Kimball Airport Authority Property Tax Request for the budget year 2022-23. According to “Resolution 2022-05, the Kimball Airport Authority will be asking for $41,277.50 of property tax to be used toward the payment of interest and principal on outstanding bonded indebtedness that is outside the current lid law, Whereas, the Kimball Airport Authority will be asking for $20,000 of property tax to be used toward the operation and capital projects of the Kimball Airport Authority.” Kimball Airport Authority has its own taxing authority.

And finally, as the sidewalks in the downtown area of Kimball continue to be discussed and upgraded, Jessica Rocha from the Village of Bushnell asked the council for the used bricks. According to Rocha's request, “The Village of Bushnell is planning to create a community plaza space, and part of the space will be a brick pathway from the street to the Veterans Memorial. We are doing an engraved brick fundraiser but will most likely need some filler bricks.”

The Kimball Volunteer Fire Department added Chico Fernandez to their membership.