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WEDNESDAY • MAY 28 • 2014
PAYING FOR A NEW POLICE HEADQUARTERS
Options heard by city commissioners on Tuesday included: Option 1: A 2.8-mill property tax increase, but no additional sales tax Option 2: A .25 percent sales tax over five years, plus a 1.8-mill property tax increase Option 3: A .3 percent sales tax over 10 years, but no property tax increase Option 4: The deluxe package* — a .2 percent sales tax over 20 years, plus a 3.7-mill jump in property tax Plan includes an estimated $30 million for the new police headquarters facility. * Deluxe package funds additional staffing and improvements over 20 years.
Jenkins files for re-election, jabs at Wakefield By Scott Rothschild Twitter: @ljwrothschild
Source: Lawrence City Manager’s Office Shutterstock Photo
Property, sales tax increases loom large in future police plans By Chad Lawhorn clawhorn@ljworld.com
Lawrence city commissioners still are interested in a November election to fund a new police headquarters building, although new questions have arisen over the project’s $30 million price tag and the possible tax increases to fund it. City commisCITY COMMISSION sioners on Tuesday were presented with a new funding scenario that includes both a 0.2 percent sales tax for 20 years and 3.7 mills of property taxes to pay for the project. That
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school resource officers and traf-
We don’t take the fic officers in order to increase approach that this needs to the size of the city’s patrol force. Some commissioners, though, be a Cadillac of a building.” already were balking at the size — James Estes, Wilson Estes Police Architects funding scenario is significantly larger than past projections because it includes funding not only for the building but also for 20 years worth of funding to grow the size of the police force. “The need for additional equipment and policing is still very much there,” said Police Chief Tarik Khatib, noting the department recently has cut
of the potential tax increase. Both Mayor Mike Amyx and Commissioner Bob Schumm said they want to focus on finding funding for the building. Both said they prefer to let future commissions decide on a year-by-year basis what increases may be needed for additional police personnel. Please see POLICE, page 6A
Twitter: @ljwrothschild
Topeka — Gov. Sam Brownback on Tuesday unveiled a $9.5 million plan that he said would increase mental health services in Kansas. “I remain committed to strengthening and expanding access to timely, quality
mental services and improving outcomes for all Kansans,” Brownback said at a news conference attended by mental health advocates and top administration officials. The funding is within currently available dollars, including $7 million in federal funds from a program called Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. The plan
also OK’d right-of-way permits for Lawrence Busker Fest in August. Page 6A
Business Classified Comics Crave
High: 85
was released following the completion of a task force review of mental health services in Kansas. Rick Cagan, executive director of the National Alliance on Mental IllnessKansas, said Brownback’s announcement represented a step forward.
Low: 66
Today’s forecast, page 8A
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Deaths Events listings Horoscope Opinion
l Jenkins recently voted to block using
defense funds to study climate change, arguing the Obama administration should instead bring up the issue directly with Congress. Page 2A
THE NEW MENTAL HEALTH PLAN FEATURES: l $7 million for programs aimed at helping families experiencing behavioral health issues l $1 million to Community Mental Health Centers to strengthen programs for the uninsured l $500,000 in community grants to help keep people with mental health problems out of jails, prisons and state hospitals
l $500,000 for treatment facilities for those with substance abuse disorders l $350,000 for a review of behavioral health care costs and how funding is allocated l $150,000 for 12 to 15 highrisk communities to develop and enhance community coalitions; areas have yet to be identified
Please see HEALTH, page 2A
INSIDE
Clouds, sun
Please see ELECTION, page 2A
l Tuesday, commissioners
Brownback: $9.5M for mental health By Scott Rothschild
Topeka — U.S. Rep. Lynn Jenkins on Tuesday filed to run for re-election, calling Democratic opponent Margie Wakefield a liberal who was better suited to represent San Francisco than eastern Kansas. Neither Jenkins, a Republican from Topeka, Jenkins nor Wakefield has drawn a primary opponent and the deadline to file for the primaries is Monday. The 2nd Congressional District they are vying to serve covers most of eastern Kansas including Lawrence and Topeka. Wakefield, an attorney Wakefield from Lawrence, issued a statement saying that now that both candidates have filed for office, they should debate “early and often.” “Lynn Jenkins’ path is to give huge tax cuts to billionaires on the backs of seniors, working families and students. I believe this is the wrong path. We should debate
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