CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
KU and City seek community input on future of transit in Lawrence
The University of Kansas and the City of Lawrence are holding two open houses to gather public input and ideas on the future of public transportation in Lawrence. The planning team working on a coordinated transit system is looking for input on six issues including route planning and scheduling, vehicle options, the mission of transit in the community, policies, service areas, and strengths and weaknesses of current transit systems. Participants are invited to come and go anytime during the meeting. Attendees will be asked to complete worksheets to provide input and will be able to talk with team members about the issues.
The first meeting will be from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 9 in the Big XII Room of the Kansas Union, fifth floor, 1301 Jayhawk Boulevard. The second meeting will be from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 11 at the Lawrence Public Library auditorium, 707 Vermont. Interested individuals can also view more information and sign up for email updates at www.getonthebuslawrence.org.
Staff studying library capital improvement needs
Last week, City staff met with Library Director Bruce Flanders to discuss current property tax projections and ramifications for the 2009 budget, including the potential affect on the library’s budget. During this discussion, library needs, particularly relating to the roof were identified. According to Library staff, the roof and rooftop mechanical units are in need of replacement. Three studies of the building shell and mechanical system units have been conducted this year. Cost estimates for this work range to more than $900,000. City staff is reviewing the studies as well as the current condition of the facility and will have an analysis to share with the City Commission in order to review along with other capital improvement priorities. Copies of the two studies the City has received (regarding the roof and mechanical and electrical systems) are attached.
November sales tax distributions
The City of Lawrence has recently received its November sales tax distribution. The distribution is the result of retail sales from mid-September to mid-October. The amount budgeted in 2008 for total city sales tax revenue (city, county, and use taxes) equals $22,675,298. Using a trend analysis of previous distributions, a projection of 2008 sales tax revenue was $22,602,146 or $73,152 less than the amount budgeted.
Actual distributions for the January through November period (reflecting mid-November through mid-October sales) total $21,037,239. Projections based on the trend analysis anticipated $20,675,053 for January through November collections. As a result, the actual distributions for the ten months are $362,186 more than the amount projected. A spreadsheet showing total monthly sales tax distributions since 2001 is attached.
The attached spreadsheet shows sales tax distributions on a cash basis. Under our basis of accounting, sales tax revenue must be accrued. The accrual of a revenue source can be recorded when the amount collected is known and the actual receipt is soon enough after the end of the year to be available to pay prior year expenses. For sales taxes, the January distribution is considered to be revenue for the prior year. When recording actual 2008 sales tax revenue, the January 2009 distribution is included and the January 2008 distribution is excluded. As a result, actual 2008 sales tax revenue will not be known until the end of January 2009.
The 2008 to date sales tax distributions represent an increase of 4.4% over the same period in 2007. The 2008 actual amount represents a 1.7% increase over the 2008 projection. Based upon the first eleven months results, it appears likely that our sales tax revenue will exceed the budgeted amount.
Solid Waste holiday collection dates announced
The Solid Waste Division has announced the followed important dates for waste collections around the holidays:
Stoneridge Tank bowl to be raised December 3
Pending favorable weather conditions, the bowl for the Stoneridge Tank water tower (located near 6th and Stoneridge) will be raised into position on Wednesday, December 3. The contractor typically starts final preparations the day of the lift by 8:00 a.m. and are ready to lift around 9:00 a.m. St. Margaret’s Church is agreeable to directing the public to their parking lot if they want to stop by the area and observe. The actual process of lifting the bowl will take 2–3 hours. Please see the attached photos of the bowl in place at the base of the tower.