On Tuesday, Democratic voters and those registered as independents in the county’s 1st District will choose between two candidates in the Democratic primary for the Leavenworth County Commission seat in the 1st District. Candidates Tim Goetz, 44 of rural Leavenworth and Lisa Weakley, 52, of Leavenworth took time to answer a few questions about their plans for the county, if elected.
1. What are the major issues you see facing the county in the future?
Goetz: Business growth and road improvements. We can never let up on attracting businesses to our county. To hold the mill levy low without businesses makes it extremely difficult. We need to do everything possible to promote and keep our existing businesses too. With urban growth expanding outside the city limits our existing gravel roads can’t handle the traffic count. We need to start looking at doing more hard surface roads.
Weakley: A sound balanced budget while providing necessary services to all county citizens.
Restructuring of the county administrator position to ensure there is sound management of the county resources, operations remain within budget, waste is eliminated and transparency exists. Commissioners who are accessible and responsive to citizens inquiries.
Job creation and economic development.
2. What do you think are the best ways to stimulate economic growth in Leavenworth County and what role do you think the county commission plays in the process?
Goetz: We need to look at all existing businesses and reassure them we are here to help them grow and be prosperous. Offer incentives to new businesses, but don’t make it unfair to existing businesses. The role the BOCC would play in this process is to take the information that is needed to attract business and make it happen. If the needs require mill levy increases, than the voters should have a say too.
Weakley: Along the County Road 1 corridor, the commission should continue to work with Tonganoxie on a phased land-use study. The marketing study for the 237-acre industrial site should be used to provide insight into how the remainder of the corridor should develop, reaching an agreement before the interlocal agreement expires.
The county should support the capital improvement projects submitted to the state’s 10-year Comprehensive Transportation Program and the MARC Outlook 2040 Transportation Plan, providing greater access to the Kansas City metro area, with the K-92 bridge project as a priority.
3. Do you support the construction of a regional airport for the county? Why? Why not?
Goetz: No. It is to my understanding the payback on our tax dollar would take too long. If the voters vote yes to a regional airport in the 2010 general election, I would vote yes. I would not go against the voters support.
Weakley: Currently financial support for Sherman Army Airfield is solely provided by the city of Leavenworth with an annual cost of $84,000. Leasing seven acres with a 5,900-foot runway, fuel service, hangers and 32 general aviation type planes. I support the county and its city partners continuing further studies with the FAA to determine possible locations, overall costs and economic benefits of this project coupled with a business park.
4. The County Commission recently allocated money to its Planning and Zoning Department budget to fund the establishment of a Codes Court and Code Enforcement Officer. Do you support this action, why or why not?
Goetz: No. It is to my understanding codes court could not generate enough revenue to be self supporting. I believe some of the issues with codes can be handled differently without the code court.
Weakley: Before serving on the City Commission I played a key role in developing the property maintenance code for the city. During my term on the city commission code enforcement has become an increasingly important issue for citizens in the desire to maintain their property values and improve the overall appearance of the community. I would support this action with further study on the costs of the program, how the code court would function and if there are adequate resources for the program.
5. In three difficult fiscal years the commission has had to make cuts to some of its departments and operations. Looking forward, do you have any ideas on how you would balance the county's budget?
Goetz: It is to my understanding the cuts made in the last three years to some of its departments and operations have only been a temporary fix. The cuts appear not to stimulate business growth or tax revenue. Tax payers expect a certain amount of County services to be provided and we need to uphold those services. We have to stimulate Leavenworth County’s economy to get tax revenue back up, or the mill levy will have to increase to provide those services.
Weakley: Leavenworth County is not unique to this challenge. Looking forward next year appears it will be equally challenging. Sound management requires constant monitoring to ensure all areas operate within respective budgets, waste is eliminated, transparency exists, reserves are available and long range planning takes place. For a budget of this size there are no fully dedicated resources overseeing the most important county asset, tax dollars. With the inclusion of an administrator position progress has been made, savings of tax dollars has been realized, but there is a long way to go. Further improvements to the count's financial policies and practices and restructuring of the administrator position is needed.
On Aug. 3 the registered Republican voters in the 1st District, which includes the rural northern portion of the county and part of the city of Leavenworth, will choose between two candidates — Robert Holland, 59, and Robert Koppen, 62, both of rural Leavenworth County.
1. What are the major issues you see facing the county in the future?
Holland: Without question, reduced revenue is the county’s biggest ongoing problem. Leavenworth County has experienced reduced revenue for a number of reasons, including the loss of state funding and grants and low interest rates, as well as a decrease in revenues from the recording of deed filings and mortgage registrations due to diminished home sales.
Koppen: Providing good road and bridge maintenance will help to keep our taxpayers satisfied.
Economic development will help increase the tax base and create jobs.
Assisting the volunteer fire departments with obtaining grants for digital radios.
Keeping a rein on the county budget and living within our means to avoid any tax increases.
2. What do you think are the best ways to stimulate economic growth in Leavenworth County and what role do you think the county commissioners play in that process?
Holland: In order to attract businesses, incentives such as tax abatements would have to be considered on a case-by-case basis. To do so, the commission must work closely with the Leavenworth County Development Corporation to identify and draw new businesses to the area. The commission must also encourage a cooperative working relationship with all of the city governments, the Leavenworth County Development Corporation and the Mid-America Regional Council.
Koppen: The 2011 county budget for the Leavenworth Area Development Corporation and for the Leavenworth County Port Authority has been increased. These two organizations exist for the promotion of Leavenworth County in retaining existing businesses and attracting new businesses. At this time there is very little nationwide business expansion; these two organizations should be sufficient at this time.
3. Do you support the construction of a regional airport for the county? Why or why not?
Holland: No, given the current economy, I don’t think a regional airport makes sense at this time.
Koppen: The county has spent $100,000 for a feasibility study that I am anxiously waiting to research. Most people within the 1st District feel the demand is not present to support an airport. The city of Leavenworth is currently funding Sherman Army Airfield on a limited expense.
4. The county commission recently allocated money to its planning and zoning department's budget to fund the establishment of a codes court and a code enforcement officer. Do you support this action? Why or why not?
Holland: At this time I don’t have enough information to say one way or the other. I would want to know, among other things, how much it would cost, if and when it would begin to pay for itself and whether it has worked in other counties.
Koppen: No. Code enforcement will never be accepted in the 1st District because part of the area is already under the city of Leavenworth's existing ordinance and the remaining low density areas like less government, not more.
5. In three difficult fiscal years, the commission has had to make cuts to some of its departments and operations. Looking forward, do you have any ideas on how you would balance the county's budget?
Holland: I would start by allowing department heads to manage their own departments and offer solutions appropriate for their divisions, such as furloughs instead of RIFs. I would also spend a lot of time on strategic planning. Many employees were laid off in 2008 and 2010 even though salaries were increased in 2008-2010 because of a lack of strategic planning.
Koppen: I don't have access to the depth of information needed to fully answer the question but the fourth question is a place to start. The level of service discussed carries a cost; therefore, I suggest we stay about the same while striving to be more efficient and economical in the work prepared and accomplished.
