The Arkansas City Public Library is hoping to generate more income by expanding its taxing boundaries from the city limits to the borders of the entire USD 470 District. Library Director Mendy Pfannenstiel said those outside of the city limits are able to make used of the library but don’t pay taxes to support it. While Ark City residents most recently paid 6 mills, those in rural areas currently pay 1.229 mills to the South-Central Kansas Library System in Hutchinson. The expanded boundaries would bring in an estimated $700,000 compared to the current $450,000 for library operations. That’s if voters approve it. A question on the ballot this Nov. 5 for voters in the USD 470 District will ask whether they agree to expand the library taxing boundaries. Most voters — those living in the city limits — would see a small reduction in their property tax levied by the library. The reduction to 5 mills would equal $57, about $12 less, on a $100,000 property. But those outside the city limits and within the school district boundaries would pay about $40 more on that same $100,000. “In other words, all patrons of USD 470 would pay the same to support the Arkansas City Library,” Pfannenstiel said. The extra $250,000 would be unused to improve services and extend the library’s outreach to disadvantaged and rural areas. They could provide programs such as the bookmobile, along with early childhood literacy and family support to those areas. Rural citizens would also be able to make use of services such as the Libby digital book service, which allows them to check out electronic books at no charge. The additional funds would also put the library in a better position to update the local facility and its outdated furnishings and technology, she added.
Source: Cowley CourierTraveler

The FBI and Homeland Security officials are in Arkansas City to investigate a cyberattack at the city’s water treatment facility that occurred Sunday morning. The city put out a statement Sunday assuring residents that the water supply remained safe and that service was not disrupted. The treatment facility has switched to manual operations while the situation is being resolved. “Residents can rest assured that their drinking water is safe, and the City is operating under full control during this period,” City Manager Randy Frazer said. On Monday Frazer provided more details. The cyberattack took out the water treatment’s control systems and included a ransom request. With the controls down, however, the attackers could not manipulate the system and no sensitive city or customer information was compromised. The identity of the attackers isn’t known, he added, and no ransom is being paid. The city might have to replace some computer equipment, though, to make sure it is free of any malware of virus. Frazer said the federal government has been warning cities for several years of the possibility of cyberattacks on water supplies, because of the potential for great harm to a vital utility. The press release states that enhanced security measures are in place to protect the water supply, and no changes to water quality or service are expected for residents.
Source: Cowley CourierTraveler