Advertisement
Your tax dollars help support Topeka's two airports. A 49 News investigation found hundreds of thousands of dollars are being budgeted for economic development each year, but only a few thousand are being spent.
"It's not extra money, it is money that it takes to operate," said Michael Humberd, Metropolitan Topeka Airport Authority president. "It's like a checking account, you have to have money in your checking account in order to pay your household bills."
Humberd said the money is necessary to pay big bills and other unbudgeted expenses the airports encounter.
Sam Carkhuff, Metropolitan Topeka Airport Authority board chairman, said it was a tough decision for the board to raise a portion of your property taxes 30 percent to fund the cash reserve. He said he doesn't regret it; taxes haven't gone up in eight years.
The county also holds back money for unbudgeted expenses, but they account for the money under a miscellaneous account. Shawnee County financial administrator Marti Leisinger said county commissioners could opt to lower the amount of extra cash they keep on hand when they're faced with raising taxes.
Reader poll
Should Shawnee County taxpayers have to support two airports that most of them don't use?
- Yes, they must be maintained to attract a big airline 25% 55 votes
- No, those who use the airports should pay for the cost of upkeep 71% 152 votes
- No opinion 2% 5 votes
212 total votes.
More like this
- Secret meetings held before airport director resigned January 14, 2008
- MTAA resignation raises questions 2 comments / January 11, 2008
- Generosity may have caused former airport president to resign 3 comments / February 17, 2008
- MTAA board meets for the first time since Humberd's resignation January 15, 2008
- Taxes rise 30 percent to support Topeka airports 2 comments / December 4, 2007
Neighbors say Denison boy was accidentally shot and killed by his friend March 20, 2010
Snowy weather making travel dangerous March 19, 2010
Two days after rally, republican lawmakers present budget with more education cuts March 19, 2010
County says road complaints are up in Auburn Twp. March 19, 2010
Riley Co. launches new Web site March 19, 2010
Comments
melonguy (anonymous) says...
I agree with most of this. The part that raises the hair on the back of my neck is the statement from politician that, "Taxes haven't gone up in eight years".
I am retired, on a fixed income, and also have a budget to contend with. I understand the political correctness to a statement like that and I understand property valuation. Each year I pay my taxes and each year my check for taxes is larger than the year before. If it looks like a duck and walks like a duck...... Maybe a different phrase would be better suited when trying to spend other peoples money. Amen
December 20, 2007 at 3:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bobgick (anonymous) says...
Why don't the voters/taxpayers have any say in the matter. I get $910. a month and am making house payments, 'Don't need no stinkin airport'.
December 20, 2007 at 7:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Airportupdates (anonymous) says...
Should not the funds be used for the development of the infrastructure, busineses who lease facilities from MTAA? I personally know of a business who could use a facelift. In Salina Ks the MTAA CHAMBER AND BUSINESS OWNERS come together and are expanding. There is actually more expansion in Salina Ks. Airport than Topeka KS. It appears Topeka MTAA would prefer to draw interest off of Tax Payers dollars, than to invest in there Infrastucture. I would say they are "slum lords" who need to step up and do the right thing. Thanks for keeping us informed KTKA NEWS
January 16, 2008 at 10:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )