Ken Grotewiel Questionnaire Response
1) The City of Lawrence, Douglas County and the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce have a long history of working together on the promotion of economic development. What actions would you take as a county commissioner to make this partnership more successful in the future?
As long as the partnership is productive and enhances our collective efforts to increase development opportunities and community prosperity, I think it should be continued. Any financial support of the Chamber’s role in promoting economic development needs to be evaluated regularly as should all programs supported by the city and the county. I would support development of a plan that defines the types of desired industry, a target for the number of
jobs, base salary goals, and the location for new development. Any proposed development or recruitment of new development would be evaluated using these criteria.
2) Do you support the use of tax abatements as a recruitment tool for new industry, or the expansion of existing industries, if the applicant can demonstrate that the remaining taxes paid by the industry are sufficient to cover the cost of local government services rendered to that industry?
I do believe that abatements can be a valid recruiting tool for attracting new business and existing businesses that want to expand, especially if the cost of local government services is covered by the industry receiving the abatement. This will be very difficult to do given the future exemption of new machinery and equipment from the property tax roles.
3) What would you do as a County Commissioner to ensure that all development rules are clear, consistently applied and provide an incentive rather than a deterrent for quality economic development?
During this campaign, I have heard the frustration of people across the development and preservation spectrum with the decision-making process regarding development. Having “clear” and “consistently” applied rules would go a long way to lower frustration with development decisions. To help that happen, it is important that decisions be made within the context of agreed upon development plans. It is the exceptions to the process that frustrate citizens and developers
alike. Let’s agree to a set of rules and stick to them.
4) Do you support the South Lawrence Trafficway 32B alignment as endorsed by the Federal Highway Administration and approved by KDOT?
The Trafficway has been an issue in this community for over 20 years, and we must find a way to move traffic around the southern end of Lawrence. Any solution should substantially solve transportation problems, and mitigate negative impact to Haskell University and the Baker Wetlands. Escalating budget and revenue concerns in Washington and Topeka will make attracting federal and state resources a much greater challenge. Lawrence and Douglas County’s only hope
of success is a well-organized and unified effort behind a single plan that is acceptable to the majority of residents.
5) Recently there were two annexation and rezoning requests (Farmer’s Turnpike and Airport) that dealt with transferring agriculture land to other uses. What are the key issues and priorities for you in deciding future land use of agricultural land? In addition, where in the County would support development of land for industrial development?
When looking at agricultural land for development, it is important to look at the quality of the soil. The more fertile it is, the less inclined I would be to support the use of agricultural land for other purposes. We should look at potential sites for development other than just agricultural land, such as the Farmland site. As indicated in the answers to earlier questions, it is important that location decisions for industrial development be
made within the context of agreed upon development plans.