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Commission adopts charter ordinance shifting final library levy authority to city commission amid public objections
Summary
The commission adopted a charter ordinance repealing Charter Ordinance No. 19 and substituting provisions related to library levy authority, moving final approval of the library mill levy from the library board to the elected governing body. The measure passed 4–1 after extensive public comment from library trustees, the director and residents.
The Arkansas City Commission on April 1 adopted a charter ordinance exempting the city from provisions of KSA 12-1220 and replacing Charter Ordinance No. 19, so that final authority to determine the annual library tax levy rests with the Arkansas City governing body rather than the library board.
Staff said the change clarifies which entity will have final say over the library mill levy and maintains a six-mill outside limit; budgets will continue to be prepared by the library trustees but the governing body will have the final vote on the maximum levy. The city attorney described the action as a legal clarification prompted by recent questions about levy authority in the revenue-neutral era.
The proposal drew extended public comment. Library Director Mindy (last name not provided in transcript) and library board members, including board president Shauna Allison and several citizens, asked for more communication and urged the commission to delay action until the library board and city staff had a chance to meet. They said the library routinely prepares a budget and has not historically received the full six mills requested in recent years; the board and director argued the change removes a layer of protection and requested a collaborative budgeting process.
Resident speakers Travis Pearman and Lloyd Colston supported the ordinance change, with Pearman praising fiscal oversight and Colston urging a 90-day delay and better legal drafting. Library officials described feeling blindsided by the timing of the ordinance and urged open, line-by-line discussions of the library budget before governance changes.
During debate, one commissioner said the change merely shifts the final determination to elected officials so all departments share in budget reductions when necessary; another commissioner said he would vote no and preferred tabling the measure. In the recorded roll-call vote, Commissioners Stillman (listed as "Stillman" in the record), Stover, Warren and Mayor Beeson voted "Yes." Commissioner Tweedy voted "No." The motion carried 4–1.
The charter ordinance repeals Charter Ordinance No. 19 and leaves the six-mill outside limit in place but transfers final levy determination to the city commission. Staff said the library board will still prepare budgets and participate in hearings; the commission now retains final legal authority over the levy limit.
