CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
Sales Tax Distributions
The City of Lawrence has recently received its April sales tax distribution. The distribution is the result of retail sales from mid-February to mid-March. The distribution of $1,648,058 represents an increase of $116,230 from the prior year distribution for the same month. Because of variations in monthly distributions, primarily due to late filings by vendors, it is advisable to not read too much into disparities between months. However, to date 2009 sales tax distributions are approximately equal to the same period of 2008.
A spreadsheet showing total monthly sales tax distributions since 2001 is attached. Distributions from the voter-approved transit and infrastructure sales taxes are not anticipated to occur until June.
Tax abatement comparative analysis performed
Staff has completed an analysis of the use of tax abatements in Northeast Kansas. The report looks at both constitutional tax abatements as well as tax abatements issued in conjunction with Industrial Revenue Bonds. The analysis found that the use of abatements has been increasing over time. In particular, Johnson, Shawnee, and Wyandotte Counties have generally been using tax abatements more frequently. The report also found that Douglas County is the only county in northeast Kansas that has been consistently decreasing its use of tax abatements.
Rental registration renewals get online option
The Code Enforcement Division will be sending out rental registration renewal notices in May with a note about an additional option for payment through the city’s website. Property owners receive a statement by mail when time to renew, which includes the license number and the address of the property to be licensed. By visiting http://www.lawrenceks.org/pds/rental_license_renewal, property owners can enter the number and address, then pay $25 with debit or credit card. PayPal, the payment gateway for the service, also is available as a payment option.
The online service is not available for first-time rental license payments. Those licenses must be paid in person at Development Services, 1 Riverfront Plaza, Suite 110 or by mail. More information about the city's Rental Registration program including downloadable forms for first-time license payments is available at http://lawrenceks.org/pds/registered_rentals. Brian Jimenez, Code Enforcement Manager, and Eric Gruber, eGov Coordinator worked on the project.
Electronic Recycling Event results in 22.87 tons recycled
On Saturday, April 25, 2009, the City’s Waste Reduction and Recycling Division hosted an Electronic Recycling Event. The event was held from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Free State High School parking lot. Participants dropped off a total of 45,740 pounds (22.87 tons) of electronic equipment for recycling. Electronic recycling was provided by Extreme Recycling, a permitted e-waste recycling and reclamation facility in the State of Kansas. Please see the attached report and participant survey results for more details.
Public Works Department prepares annual report
The attached annual report gives an overview of the Public Works Department operations in 2008. The report is also available on the department website at http://www.lawrenceks.org/public_works/administration.
Solid Waste employees teach kids how waste is handled
A Lawrence resident’s sons and their friends were always mesmerized by the trash trucks and solid waste crews every week moving through their neighborhoods picking up trash and waving at kids as they would come out to watch, so she thought she would see if she could come down for a tour of the facility. Joined by her family and by several of her friends with kids they toured the Division and were given an informational program about the Rearloader Unit; how it operates, compacts and ejects the waste that is collected by the crews. Several of the Solid Waste Division employees were on hand to answer questions and assist the kids as they looked at the unit. See attached photos.