1) Financing Local Government in Tough Economic Times

The budget is finished.  Tough decisions have been made.  Now is the time to reflect on what changes need to be made to finance local governments in the future. 

The Kansas Advisory Council on Intergovernmental Relations (KACIR) is holding two public forums in September to give local government officials as well as the public an opportunity to discuss financing for local governments. 

Do we just cut more?  What happens to services to the public?

Do we need more or different revenue sources?

Hays:  September 9, 2010, Thursday, 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Sternberg Museum of Natural History, Lobby, Ft. Hays State University, 3000 Sternberg Drive, Hays KS
  
Overland Park:  September 30, 2010, Thursday, 4:00 to 6:00 pm
Matt Ross Community Center, Plaza Room, 8101 Marty, Overland Park KS

Please take this opportunity to come and talk with the members of the KACIR and other local officials about your cost savings ideas or “out of the box”  local government financing issues. 

This forum will allow discussion of these financing issues before the November elections and before the 2011 legislative session convenes in January.

Some topics to consider are:

• Many local governments utilize sales taxes.  Is your current level of sales tax authority sufficient to meet your needs?
• Would you favor changing the distribution formula for local option sales taxes imposed by a county?
• Many cities or counties have begun to identify the services that can be eliminated in order to reduce expenditures and free up revenue for essential services.  Has your local government identified or utilized cost savings measures?
• Is consolidation an answer?

If you haven't completed KACIR's survey, Funding of Local Governments, go to  - http://www.ksrevenue.org/kacir.htm. 

For more information, contact: lynn_robinson@kdor.state.ks.us.

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2) T-WORKS Workshops Begin Next Week

The TWORKS workshops that were announced last month will begin next week.

The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) will host four in-person workshops and one webinar to provide information about T-WORKS and to help communities and individuals get organized for the local consult meetings which will be held in each KDOT district this fall. Please click here for more information.

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3) There's Still Time to Register for the September MLA

September’s MLA, Sexual Harassment, will be in Scott City on September 10, Minneapolis on September 11, and Westwood on September 17. Cities should always commit to providing a workplace that is free of harassment and discrimination, but this can be a challenging objective without adequate training. This MLA
session will not only address the laws and expectations for the workplace, but it will provide an opportunity to address real life situations that arise in the workplace. Join the League to learn the reasonable steps to prevent harassment in the workplace. Click here for registration and more information.

Please note that the location for the Scott City class has changed - it will be at the Scott County Library.

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4) LKM Annual Conference Registration Open

Registration for the LKM 2010 Annual Conference, October 9-12 in Overland Park,  is now available online at www.lkm.org

This event is designed as the premier training event for city officials in Kansas.  This year’s schedule has been changed to allow for even more educational opportunities for both elected and appointed city officials.  See the registration brochure online for a complete listing of the workshops and roundtables that will be offered.

Also, we will be celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the League of Kansas Municipalities during the annual conference.  Don’t miss this unique opportunity to be a part of LKM history.

If you have any questions, contact us at (785) 354-9565 or kcooley@lkm.org

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5) 2010 STO and UPOCs Available

The 2010 STO and UPOC are now available. To order your copy of the 2010 STO and UPOC, click here.

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6) Now Taking Nominations for the LKM Governing Body

Now is your chance to submit your name or a name of another city official. Please click here for the nomination form and more information.

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7) Excellence in Local Government Nominations Sought

The E.A. Mosher Excellence in Local Government Award is presented annually to an elected city official who has not only demonstrated outstanding service to his or her own city, but has also shown an active commitment to strong local government and service to the League of Kansas Municipalities (LKM). Named in honor of E.A. Mosher, League Director from 1960 to 1991, this award is designed to honor excellence and leadership at the highest level.

Nominees for the E.A. Mosher Excellence in Local Government Award must meet the following qualifications:
- Must be an elected official from an LKM member city;
- Must have held elective office for a minimum of four years;
- Must have nomination in at the close of nominations on September 3, 2010;
- Must demonstrate contributions which have had a significant impact on the quality of life of the citizens of his or her city;
- Must demonstrate contributions in promoting positive intergovernmental relationships; and
- Must show involvement with LKM.

Guidelines for the selection of the 2010 award winner are as follows:
- Nominations will not be accepted after 5:00 p.m. on September 3, 2010;
- Nominations may be made by any elected or appointed official of an LKM city;
- The Awards Committee of the LKM Governing Body will select the award recipient;
- The decision of the Awards Committee will be final; and
- The winner’s name will be kept confidential until presentation at the LKM Annual Conference in Overland Park.

For a nomination form, click here. For more information, contact Kim Winn at (785) 354-9565 or kwinn@lkm.org.

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8) Interested in Serving on the NLC Board of Directors?

The LKM Awards Committee is charged with reviewing applicants who seek the endorsement of LKM with regard to a position on the National League of Cities Board of Directors. If you are interested in being considered for endorsement, please send a cover letter and resume to Kim Winn at kwinn@lkm.org or 300 SW 8th Ave., Topeka, KS  66603, (785) 354-9565 by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, September 3, 2010. The LKM Awards Committee will review all requests for endorsement and make a recommendation to the LKM Governing Body for final action.

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For a PDF Version of the League News, Click Here