So, what you're saying is that our tax dollars have been used to buy rights to land usage, when the city has previously stated that we would not be spending ANY money on the new hospital?
It sounds like someone from the Traveler needs to do some checking into this and let it's readers know that we are being lied to.
"...when the city has previously stated that we would not be spending ANY money on the new hospital?"
"bobdylan" wrote...
i dont recall that the city ever said that. They said they would be putting in water lines, and paying for that, as I recall?
It was a QUESTION! I was trying to clarify the position taken by the original poster, NOT making a statement of fact. That's why there is a question mark at the end of the sentence. A question mark (?) means I'm asking a question!!!!! (btw, those are exclamation points!... THEY means that I'm trying to get a point across.) Can you or someone else clarify what the city actually said, and possibly provide a reference?
As I recall they were going to donate sevices to the best of my knowlege. I am not sure the citizens knew how much public funds would be used for this donation. When I read the city would donate sevices, I assumed is would be time and materials. Who knew? I don't think that water lines would have been that expensive as rural water lines are already in the area. There would be no need for land rights to be bought. Unless they were going to run sewage lines to that area. I would have thought that a lagoon system would have been a lot cheaper to keep expenses down. Although I don't know what county code would be for that type of business.
Hazzard Co. you should look at all the fines and money your silly city courts take in, could some money be going in the Boss Hogs pockets. Maybe you all pay too much for the judge-city atty and staff. Better get Roscoe to look into the funds flowing away instead of something useful like a hospital. Maybe the Duke boys would be better then your local Roscoe.
Below is the article that was placed in the Traveler in regard to the sewage and water lines being put in by the city. According to this, the city would pick up the bill for about $450,000 for placing the sewer and water in this area. I was misinformed on the city's intentions on spending for this project. Look for the taxes to go up!
January 16,2006
Hospital deal appears ready for approval By FOSS FARRAR Traveler Staff Writer A plan by local doctors to build a replacement hospital for Arkansas City is headed for approval, which is expected to come at a special meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall. City Commissioners say a part of an agreement that will cost the city $500,000 should not get in the way.As part of the deal, the city will assume the current hospital's debt. Extending water and sewer service, at a cost of $950,000 is also included.The hospital's debt is for a heating and air conditioning system that will remain in the current hospital building, which the city will still own."The feeling is that we need a new hospital," City Commissioner Wayne Short said. "It is the hope that those (costs the city would assume) wouldn't raise taxes. Our taxes are high enough."The $500,000 debt is the only debt on the current hospital building at Birch Avenue and First Street. It stems from the revamping of the hospital's heating and air-conditioning system, a project started in 2000, city and hospital officials said.A provision states that the city would take responsibility for the reuse of the existing hospital facility. It would pay the remaining bond debt for the heating and air-conditioning project, known as the Johnson Controls HVAC system."That's part of our existing agreement to lease the current hospital to the board of trustees," City Manager Curt Freeland said. "That agreement has been in place since the 1970s."South Central Kansas Regional Medical Center has been making annual payments on the bond issued by the city for the HVAC system, said Clayton Pappan, SCKRMC marketing director. The payments were rolled into the hospital's annual lease payments, he said.The city owns the SCKRMC facility, built in the late 1940s and early 1950s, Freeland said.Mayor Joel Hockenbury said the city would try to recover the cost of the debt for the HVAC work from the next tenant of the building."Hopefully, another tenant would buy it," he said. "That half million dollars' worth of renovated building is really the only debt on the (current) hospital. We would try to recover that cost."Hockenbury said the city was getting ready to put a panel together to find a new use for the hospital.The nearly $1 million cost of extending water and sewer lines to the new hospital, which would be built two miles north of the city, west of U.S. 77, had already been approved by the city for the Department of Housing and Urban Development project, Hockenbury said.That $25 million project to build a new Ark City hospital was turned down by HUD last year in a disagreement over what type of hospital would be built. SCKRMC wanted a full-service hospital, but HUD said the hospital should be a critical access hospital with restrictions on the type of care provided."The engineering work on (extending the water and sewer lines) already is done and paid off," he said.Short said he anticipates that the extended water and sewer lines would be used not only by the new hospital, but later by other commercial facilities built near the hospital. They might include doctors' offices, clinics, dentists' offices, pharmacies and perhaps a restaurant."That could be very feasible," Short said. "If this (new hospital) does bring other things to that area, that's more income to the city without the mill levy going up."
In regards to the city running water and sewer to the proposed hospital site: Yes, the city did say they would fund the expense of running water and sewer to the proposed hospital site. However, it would not be just for the hospital. The area around the proposed site for the hospital has development potential for additional business, and the area would be annexed into the city (with proper approval), which would require the city to provide water and sewer. This would serve the citizens of Ark City by providing a substantial tax revenue for the city, which ultimately would reduce each individual citizen's tax burden.
I know the new hospital is on hold for now, but I know that the city plans of putting it there sooner or later. Although it is not known exactly when by the public, I do know that the city is working on getting the rights to properties now. I know for a fact, they have paid out thousands of dollars to property owners in a direct line to the hospital ground on US 77 for rights to put utilities on the landowners property between town and the hospital land to supply the hospital when it is built. The checks have been cut and have been cashed. From the article in the newpaper I thought the city was not going to bare any of the expense of this new hospital. Since they have spent so much money already on it, I am almost certain they will say it is grant money from somewhere given to the city. Too bad the average citizen can't find grant money to make their needs a bit easier. With the federal tax we pay and the state tax too, the of course we pay the county taxes. Not to mention sales tax every time we want to buy a gallon of milk or a tank of gas. They even tax toilet paper! I know that there will be those who say that there are countries much worse off than we, but I say, there is no need for us to be taxed as we are. No need except greed. The government is supplying these grants and giving money away on a daily basis. Big spending, bad managment of the spending. If we as citizens all managed our finances like governement, we would all be on welfare. Spend, AC spend, just ask for more money for fire service from us to cover it!
Depakote, Thank you for shedding some light on this issue. I take it you have first hand knowledge of this project? I was under the impression that when the city annexed this hospital property, that was the only property they were interested in annexing. Am I right? I know they are talking Dr's offices and lots of businesses on that property given to the hospital. As far as annexing properties in between the city and the hospital I believe no one wishes to be part of that little endeavor. We all already have sewer and water out here that is much cheaper and more effective than what the city can offer us. My own personal opinion is to develope the down town area first before looking north. Without a healthy downtown Arkcity is nothing. Lets not get the cart before the horse.
