Some fifty local residents were in attendance for a town hall meeting Monday in Marysville. City Manager Austin St. John began by outlining capital outlay projects planned for this year, including a $1.7 million replacement of the U.S. Highways 36 & 77 intersection, and improvements to U.S. Highway 77 south. Other major projects approved will include resurfacing 7th Street from Elm to Walnut, and the 7th Street crossing on Broadway. Water line replacement on North Street and Jenkins, as well as sewer line updates are underway and will continue, as well as several ADA ramp projects, and miscellaneous other smaller items. Total costs, including grant funding this year will top $2.8 million.
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Mayor Carla Grund opened comments indicating that cash carryover has consistently remained at or above that of comparable size communities, while maintaining a stable mill levy, with no new debt issued the past six years. She addressed a comprehensive plan coordinated with Marysville Chamber of Commerce through Kansas State University that will study housing, downtown revitalization, economic development potential, and more. This will update the last plan completed in 2005 and will then be reviewed by council annually. The mayor informally polled attendees’ preference on options for repair or replacing Broadway from 5th to 6th Streets, with options of doing nothing, replacing existing brick surface at an estimated cost of $836,000 or refinish with colored concrete at one third the cost. Majority favored concrete.
With over $2 million in the sales tax fund collected for construction of the swimming pool, the mayor advised that early payments could begin in 2020. Until such time, she asked if the community would be willing to spend a portion of the proceeds toward other projects, as opposed to borrowing funds at a higher interest rate. The suggestion met some resistance from the audience who asked what specific projects would be in mind. There appeared to be some willingness to consider using a portion of the money for other recreational projects.
The session concluded with identifying community strengths, areas where the city might redirect tax dollars more efficiently, and those areas which Marysville should focus on going forward.
