School asks Goodland commission to let voters decide on sales-tax to fund new Career and Tech building

Bill Bierman, representing the Goodland school district, asked the City Commission on Oct. 21 to let voters decide whether to finance a new Career and Technical Education (CTE) building with a 10‑year quarter‑cent sales tax that would begin after the district’s current sales tax ends in 2029. "Would the city support putting the question on the ballot for a 10 year quarter cent sales tax for the funding of the new Career And Tech Ed Building?" Bierman asked.

Bierman described two primary options: remodel the district’s existing ag/CTE facility for about $2,700,000 or build a new facility for about $4,000,000. He said a state funding formula would cover about 25 percent of a new facility — roughly $1,000,000 on a $4 million project — narrowing the district’s share. The presentation noted the district previously completed a $15,000,000 bond program in 2013 and that the attached quarter‑cent sales tax had helped offset property taxes then.

Bierman walked commissioners through recent quarterly sales‑tax collections for the district’s quarter‑cent measure, saying annual receipts had ranged from about $275,000 to $363,000 and estimating a 10‑year continuation could generate roughly $3.5 million. He said the intent would not be to “stack” a new measure on top of the existing quarter‑cent; instead, any new quarter‑cent would begin after the district’s current sales tax expires when the bond is paid off.

The district also proposed changes to local traffic flow near the high school if the new building were located on the lot west of the high school, including converting Cherry Street to a one‑way to improve safety and circulation. Bierman emphasized the district was not asking the commission for an immediate vote but for permission to place the question on the ballot and for the city’s general support in planning.

Commissioners and staff pressed on funding alternatives, including raising the capital outlay mill levy. Bierman said a two‑mill increase would generate about $200,000 and a single mill roughly $100,000 annually and that the district has considered combining grants, mill levy changes and lease‑purchase financing if ballot support were lacking. Attendees and several commissioners emphasized safety benefits from traffic changes and said the planning commission and the police department should review any proposed street reconfiguration.

Bierman said the district would refine designs, coordinate with city staff and the planning commission, and return with more detailed proposals and timing if the commission is willing to let voters decide.

Next steps: the school district will continue planning and coordination; commissioners did not vote on placing a measure on the ballot at the meeting.