You wouldn’t know it from the Legislature, but Kansans are willing to pay for public services. ALL THESE results signify Kansans are willing to spend because they know it’s really more than that. Such votes are made as an investment, meaning returns will be coming down the pike. RENOVATIONS, updates, or entire new campuses such as in Chanute, show a commitment to future generations.
Voters signaled their willingness to open their pocketbooks with the passage of several bond issues in Tuesday’s elections.
In Reno County, voters approved a half-cent increase in county sales tax by a three-to-one margin to go toward a new jail and improvements for other county offices. The $28.9 million project will include building a 250-bed jail.
In Lawrence, voters overwhelmingly approved a $92.5 million bond issue for the city’s schools. Another three-to-one margin proved voters regarded upgrades and renovations to 14 elementary schools and two high schools critical not only to their students, but also to the community as a whole. This is on top of an $18 million bond issue approved in 2010 to build a new public library.
In Oswego, voters passed a $3.25 million school bond issue for district 504.
In Garnett, voters agreed to an increase in property taxes to build a $25 million hospital.
Already, the construction of the new Allen County Regional Hospital has meant higher occupancy rates at area hotels, more business at area restaurants and retailers — and this is before the darn thing has even opened.
Once in operation, the new hospital will attract more health care professionals eager to work in a state-of-the-art facility. The other shoe to drop will be a new medical office building where specialists from metropolitan areas will see patients.
Garnett’s new elementary school on its northern edge of town sends a message of a vibrant community that places education as a priority.
Same goes for Humboldt’s new sports complex currently in the works.
And no, don’t say what was good enough for me is good enough for today’s students, or patients, or clients. Because that’s simply not true.
Fifty-year-old buildings cannot be adapted to today’s technologies.
It’s heartening to see these communities embrace the future.
Hopefully, state leaders will take note.
— Susan Lynn
