The Chanute City Commission again moved to change the language of the proposed CRDA sales tax ballot question during Monday’s meeting. City Attorney David Brake said this tax is the smallest sales tax the commission has considered.
The change comes from stipulations in Kansas law, which dictate that municipalities can only have a sales tax in .05 increments. So the City Commission had to decide if they would put forth a .10% or a .15% sales tax for the community to vote on.
Commissioners voted to approve setting the sales tax officially at .15%, which is roughly one-eighth of a cent.
The current proposed ballot question is as follows: “Shall the following be adopted? Shall the City of Chanute, Kansas, be authorized to collect a city-wide retailers’ sales tax in the amount of 0.15% within the City of Chanute, Kansas with the full proceeds to be distributed to the Chanute Regional Development Authority, whose mission is to support economic recruitment programming and other economic and community development activities, for a period of five years? The collection of such sales tax to commence on April 1, 2026 and shall terminate five years after its commencement in accordance with the provisions of K.S.A. 12-187 et seq., and amendments thereto?”
The projected annual sales tax revenue is $382,575.32. Brake said that for every $10 spent, this tax would give a penny toward the sales tax, or a dime for every $100 spent in Chanute.
The 2024 Audit was presented by Neil Phillips, a representative of Jarred, Gilmore, and Phillips.
Phillips said he was issuing an “unmodified opinion,” verifying that the records submitted were accurate and in compliance with Kansas’ cash-basis law. Phillips noted that the commission came in $391,000 under the published budget and that no property tax was levied by the city in 2024.
Commissioners voted to accept the audit as presented.
In other business, a lease agreement for the Stone Creek Golf Course with Amy Callahan, who owns Outsiders Bar and Grill. Callahan submitted an offer last week. She said no renovation work will be required prior to her taking over. In the agreement, it is stated that the first year of rent costs will be reduced.
She said she hopes to be open there by Artist Alley on Sept. 27.
The 2026 Budget hearing was set for the Aug. 11 meeting. The current proposed estimated tax rate and revenue neutral rate is 7.572 mills.
“Hats off to every member of city staff,” Vice Mayor Tim Fairchild said.
Tommy Rodriguez was appointed to the Tourism and Convention Committee.
“He brings a great deal of knowledge on entertainment and event management.” Chanute Area Chamber of Commerce Director Amy Jensen said.
A resolution to allow alcohol to be consumed on city property was approved for the Class of 1985 Reunion. This will take place at the Fiesta Grounds, Friday, Sept. 26, and Saturday, Sept. 27, from 5 p.m. through midnight each night.
The commission declared seven properties in violation of Chanute municipal code.
During the City Manager’s Report, Todd Newman highlighted that all 7,000 trashcarts should be distributed by the end of the year, with Wednesday trash routes to receive new carts next week.
The next Chanute City Commission meeting will be held on Monday, Aug. 11, at 6:30 p.m. in the City Commission Room at the Memorial Building. Meetings can also be viewed live on Facebook or watched afterwards from the city website at https://www.chanute. org.
