Commission fails tax payers?

[Mike B.]

Commission fails tax payers again?


By Mark Vierthaler
Dodge City Daily Globe

The Dodge City Commission approved doubling usage fees for Hoover Pavilion, citing increased demand in usage, increasing operation prices and large maintenance costs.

Paul Lewis, director of parks and recreation, said the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board had recommended the price increase after comparing prices with similar venues around the city.

Hoover Pavilion, which recently re-opened after a five-year renovation project, is often used for family gatherings such as reunions and weddings, as well as for-profit meetings involving businesses.

The new fees would raise the $150 charge for not-for-profit private gatherings to $300. The cost of commercial, for-profit gatherings would double from $250 to $500. Short-term meeting rates went from $20 to $40 an hour.

Lewis said some events held at the pavilion also required the city to provide security. Security services would increase to $15 an hour.

Dan Reichenborn, a former school teacher and president of the USD 443 Board of Education, said he was opposed to the prices being raised for family reunions.

"My family has been using Wright Park for family reunions since 1947," he said.

Reichenborn said he felt it was unfair that the city would implement larger fees on a building already funded through tax money. He said it was difficult to compare Hoover Pavilion to things such as the VFW, because the city isn't in it to make a profit.

City Commissioner Terry Lee was the one dissenting vote to not raise the fees, echoing Reichenborn's feelings that family reunions shouldn't face an increase. Lee said he felt it was allowable to double the business fees, as those who used it for such purposes stood to make a profit.

City Commissioner Jim Sherer, although he voted in favor of the increase in fees, also opposed the doubling of fees for private not-for-profits. Although he said he understood Hoover Pavilion to be the premier facility in Dodge City, he didn't want to see people stop using it because it cost too much.

He voted in favor of the fee, he said, because the advisory board did recommend the numbers. The advisory board consists of members of the public who volunteer to sit on the boards.

Mayor Kent Smoll, Vice-Mayor Rick Sowers and City Commissioner Jim Lembright all said they felt the prices were fair and would allow the city to compete with other hosting venues around the city.

Reach Mark Vierthaler at (620) 408-9932 or e-mail him at mark.vierthaler@dodgeglobe.com



Commissioners Smoll, Sowers and Limbright said they felt the prices were fair and would allow the city to compete with other hosting venues around the city. WHAT? How is raising the fee allowing the city to compete with other venues? Am I missing something here?

IMO... Commissioner Sherer made little sense in his reasoning as to why he supported the fee increase. Bottom line...the advisory board recommends something...he'll vote for it.

I agree with Commissioner Lee, again. He seems to be the only commissioner who takes the time to listen to the people and vote accordingly.

What do you think?

[Jolly Rancher]

You know, I have had my opinions about Terry Lee. BUT...I am impressed with his opinion on this matter.

[Tee]

DITTO THAT!

All the time, Terry seems to be the lone dissenting vote whenever it comes to more taxes or fees on the citizens.

It must be hard to withstand the pressure from the other tax and spend liberals in there. I respect him for that.

Regardless of the crap that happened up at the school, I like what Terry Lee stands for.

[old timer]

I don't know about the last few years, but at least until sometimes in the 1990s the Hoover Fund was listed as a seperate budget item in the City of Dodge City budget.

Mayor Hoover, when he died in circa 1913 or so, left what at the time was a large amount of money ($100,000) to the city, and the income was to be used for public benefit. Hoover Pavillion was one benefit. The DC Airport Land was also purchased from the fund.

That $100,000 would be a huge amount now -- guessing equal to at least
19,469,330 with interest over that time. Or

In 2006, $100,000.00 from 1913 is worth:
$2,100,000.00 using the Consumer Price Index $1,581,705.10 using the GDP deflator$8,926,256.98 using the unskilled wage $10,931,540.68 using the nominal GDP per capita $33,711,870.82 using the relative share of GDP

What is the status of that fund ? Why are the city fees now higher than any non-profit group I'm involved with will be able to pay?

Seems that the City Commission doesn't want anyone to use Hoover Pavillion. Seems like some money is just gone ? Anyone know ?

[lurker]

Originally Posted by old timer

I don't know about the last few years, but at least until sometimes in the 1990s the Hoover Fund was listed as a seperate budget item in the City of Dodge City budget.

Mayor Hoover, when he died in circa 1913 or so, left what at the time was a large amount of money ($100,000) to the city, and the income was to be used for public benefit. Hoover Pavillion was one benefit. The DC Airport Land was also purchased from the fund.

That $100,000 would be a huge amount now -- guessing equal to at least
19,469,330 with interest over that time. Or

In 2006, $100,000.00 from 1913 is worth:
$2,100,000.00 using the Consumer Price Index $1,581,705.10 using the GDP deflator$8,926,256.98 using the unskilled wage $10,931,540.68 using the nominal GDP per capita $33,711,870.82 using the relative share of GDP

What is the status of that fund ? Why are the city fees now higher than any non-profit group I'm involved with will be able to pay?

Seems that the City Commission doesn't want anyone to use Hoover Pavillion. Seems like some money is just gone ? Anyone know ?

More than likely, they wasted it....

[K C Muffin]

I agree. If this building is in as good shape as any of the other venues, then maybe the raise is called for. But the last time I saw it, they were discussing tearing it down it was in such sad shape. Apparently, they've decided otherwise?

[Made in the USA]

They just finished a several year remodeling and refurbishment on the Hoover Pavillion, Muffie. They re-did the roof beams, added air conditioning, and a complete overhaul. It is a very nice building again!

[K C Muffin]

Oh. Then forget what I said. Then the rental charges aren't out of line. But there ought to be a different charge for residents than for nonresidents. I know our OP Convention Center has a price for merchandising and a different price for community gatherings. So, if you wanted to use it for your family gathering, your charge would be lower than if John Deere wanted to use it to show off the new line of tractors.

[MissKitty]

The reason they had to raise the rates is that a couple of 15th birthday parties got out of hand and tore the place up--after it had recently been nicely remodeled. The damages exceeded the $300 deposit. It's too bad a few idiots ruin it for the rest of us.

[lurker]

15 year-olds tore the place up?

~what's so special about being 15 years old?~