Liberal City Commission Meets, Increases Housing Incentives

The Liberal City Commission met Tuesday evening at 6:30pm for their regular meeting. Starting off the meeting, Al Shank of Al Shank Insurance, on behalf of Employers Mutual Company, presented the City of Liberal with a dividend check in the amount of $46, 238.01. Over the last several years the City has received dividends from EMC totalling over $500,000.00. The Commission conveyed a parcel of property back to Park Properties Inc. which had been deeded to the City several years ago. The property was a gift to the City,and the City had no plans of developing the parcel of land, so it was given back to the original owner. Commissioners voted unanimously to allow the Mid America Air Museum Foundation to park a donated 727 Fed Ex jet on the Air Museum property, which will be converted to classrooms and become Liberal Learning Jet, The Foundation will pay for the renovtions and and will be available for Science, Math, and Technology classes.The jet will also be available for special events as well. B & H Paving received the bid for the Citys street sealing project with the amount not to exceed $320,000.00,and the Commission appointed Stan Lehnert to the Memorial Library Board. The Liberal City Commission also changed the incentives for Housing construction. On a unanimous vote, the Commission voted to raise the amount offered for new construction of Multi-Family Housing. Anyone who constructs Multi-Unit style housing will now receive $3000.00 per unit upon completion of the project. The incentive was capped at $300,000.00 per year or 100 units, and will be in place for 3 years, with the possibility of an extension.Also regarding single family dwellings,the commission voted to raise the incentive to $5000.00 per home,to be paid to the home owner upon occupancy. Incentive programs like these cannot be found anywhere in the state, and the City hopes this will attract developers,and contractors to help fill the housing needs of the City.