Geary County commissioners debate feasibility study for sports complex and possible hotel-tax increase

Geary County commissioners on Monday discussed paying for a feasibility study to determine whether the county can support a new sports complex and whether to raise the countytransient guest tax to pay for facilities and related tourism promotion.

The discussion opened with a commissioner noting the county has about $816,000 in an identified fund and asking why the commission had not spent a small portion to test whether an investor-backed sports project would be feasible. "What are you gonna do with that 800,000? You're just sat on it. Nothing's happening," said Commissioner 2 during the discussion.

Commissioners and other speakers described a two-phase approach used by private consultants: an initial assessment (previously priced at about $18,500 in 2021, likely nearer $20,000 now) to determine whether a sports facility is feasible, and then a second phase of recommendations for improvements or a larger complex if the first phase shows a path forward. The discussion referenced a prior study that participants said dated to 1999 and earlier commission conversations in 2014.

Why it matters: supporters said modest investment in planning would show whether the county could attract events that fill hotel rooms and increase tourism, while opponents urged not to commit county funds or staff time until the commission decides whether to increase the transient guest tax. "By increasing the transient tax and improving the actual sports facilities that we have now ... I think that I don't think we should spend any money until we decide whether we're gonna increase the TGT or not," Commissioner 4 said.

Details and positions - Cost and scope: Commissioners quoted prior consultant pricing for a Phase 1 feasibility review (about $18,500 in 2021, estimated $20,000 now) and a frequently cited estimate that a small sports complex would cost in the tens of millions ("upwards of 20 to 30,000,000" was mentioned by a speaker). - Funding options discussed: raising the transient guest tax (TGT) by about $1 per room night was raised as a possible revenue source; one commissioner referenced a staff estimate that increasing the TGT would add roughly "a dollar to a night." Another option mentioned was allocating a portion of existing TGT revenue (for example, using 2 percentage points for sports facility support while letting the Convention/Visitor entity operate on 4 percent). - Stakeholder process: several commissioners said any study or planning should include hoteliers, the county's convention/tourism board and school or park district representatives so "everybody should be at the table" before committing money to facilities.

Formal action attempted - Motion: Commissioner 2 made a motion to direct county staff (identified in discussion as Raquel) to "look into this further and look at what companies are available to put out RFPs." That motion was not seconded and therefore did not proceed to a vote; commissioners then agreed to continue discussion next week and to bring additional information on the TGT before taking further steps.

Next steps Commissioners agreed to continue the TGT and sports-facility discussion at the commission's next meeting, asking staff to compile options and cost estimates and to involve tourism and other community stakeholders if the commission decides to pursue a tax increase or a paid feasibility study.

Ending: The commission left the item on the agenda for further discussion next week; no contract or study was authorized during this meeting.