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Minutes for HB2176 - Committee on Taxation
Short Title
Creating the Arkansas city area public library district act, requiring an election for the creation of such district and authorizing unified school district No. 470 to levy a tax on behalf of the library district.
Minutes Content for Tue, Feb 7, 2023
Chairperson Smith opened the hearing for HB2176.
Adam Siebers, Assistant Revisor, provided an overview for HB2176 to create the Arkansas City Area Public Library District Act. The bill would authorize the Board of Trustees of the Arkansas City Public Library to adopt a resolution to create a library district and propose a tax levy amount for the library district. (Attachment 1) Mr. Siebers stood for questions from Committee members.
In response to a question, Mike Heim, Assistant Revisor, stated the election is to create the district and set the levy. He noted it is a new separate government district and the district would be responsible for their employees. The district may enter into an agreement with the school district to provide some help but it is independent from the school district. A tax levy would be levied on behalf of the library district by the school district.
Kathleen Smith, Kansas Department of Revenue, provided an overview on the fiscal note for HB2176 indicating the bill would have minimal fiscal impact on the Department of Revenue's operation and currently its an undetermined fiscal impact because there is not enough information to be able to determine the fiscal impact.
Proponents:
Mendy Pfannenstiel, Arkansas City Public Library, testified as a proponent for HB2176 which will allow residents the opportunity to decide on how they wish to receive and support library services. The bill improves equity in financing library services and allows the opportunity for increases in future revenue. Ms. Pfannenstiel stood for questions from Committee members. (Attachment 2)
Lindsay Wilke, Early Literacy Coordinator USD 470, testified as a proponent for HB2176 stating services of the Arkansas City Public Library are crucial to fighting the illiteracy epidemic in the community. Ms. Wilke stood for questions from Committee members. (Attachment 3)
Written testimony was submitted by the following as proponents for HB2176:
Elrea M. Mullen, Citizen Arkansas City, (Attachment 4)
Rinny Lozano, Citizen Arkansas City, (Attachment 5)
Katy Richerson, Youth Service Librarian, Ark City Public Library, (Attachment 6)
Randy Frazer, City Manager, Arkansas City, Kansas, (Attachment 7)
Lloyd Colston, Citizen Arkansas City and Kansas Taxpayer, (Attachment 8)
Emily Sitsler, Employee Arkansas City Public Library, (Attachment 9)
Neutral:
Paul Hawkins, on behalf of South Central Kansas Library System Board & Executive Committee, (Attachment 10)
Ray C. Walling, State Librarian, (Attachment 11)
Chairperson Smith closed the hearing on HB2176.
