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Hometown Halls
Welcome to the De Soto Hometown Hall page, where you can stay updated on key discussions between residents and city leaders. This page features summaries of past events and information about upcoming ones, ensuring you’re informed and involved in shaping De Soto’s future.
Recap of the October 24th Hometown Hall: Updates, Insights, and What's Next!
The October 24th, 2024, Hometown Hall in the Senior Center brought together City leaders, residents, and representatives from Panasonic to discuss De Soto’s growth, infrastructure plans, and community safety.
Presentation Slides
Here are the key topics covered:
- Economic and Infrastructure Investments:
- Over $400 million in combined infrastructure, educational, and community benefits expected over the next 20 years.
- Breakdown of local investments: $54.5M for the water treatment facility, $7.7M for a new water tower, $40M for a wastewater treatment facility, $43.3M for sewer system expansions, $84M for local road construction, $17.2M for a new fire station, and $1.8M for a new fire truck.
- Funding Sources: Contributions include...
- $166.5M from Panasonic
- $15M from Johnson County
- $65M from KDOT
- $2M from De Soto.
- Capital Improvements:
- Ongoing local projects, such as a 4-lane roadway with curbs, sidewalks, and enhanced safety features.
- Completion timelines for the water treatment facility and water tower set for Spring 2025.
- Community Engagement Initiatives:
- Emphasis on various engagement tools, including e-newsletters, open houses, and the quarterly publication.
- A focus on increased retail sales linked to Panasonic’s on-site workers.
- Tax and Revenue Updates:
- A historic decrease in property taxes from 19.8 to 13.78 mills, saving the average resident about $180 despite a 7.3% increase in property values.
- Diversified revenue streams with $3.9M in investment gains, $77.2M from the electric franchise tax, $34.9M in state school funding, and $14M in local school funding.
- Future Projects and Studies: Overview of projects like the...
- 83rd & Lexington Corridor Study
- Riverfest Park Master Plan
- Strategic Plan
- Community Center Feasibility Study
- Southwest Area Growth Plan.
Community Questions
What are the plans for expanded highway access? (Widening 83rd? Additional exit ramps? Widening K-10?)
De Soto currently has excellent highway access. But, in addition, KDOT is currently looking at expansions that include interchange enhancements.
For example, KDOT is conducting a corridor study on K-10, from County Line Road to I-435. The study, currently in draft form, includes preferred alternative reconfigurations for interchanges at Lexington, Evening Star and Edgerton. More details are available on the project website. In addition, there’s an open house Wednesday, Nov. 13, from 4:30 to 6:30 at De Soto High School in the Student Union. The website has additional information about the event.
Regarding 83rd Street, at the November 7th City Council meeting, Council approved an 83rd and Lexington Corridor Plan which assesses capacity and safety improvements along the route. The results will support the pursuit of federal and state funding for future enhancements.
Will there be a traffic light added at Lexington and 95th?
The Southwest Growth Area Plan, which we recently launched, includes a component to evaluate transportation corridors, including 95th Street. It appears some traffic management will likely be needed at that intersection in the future, however we don’t have any additional information on that now.
Is Corliss expected to become an exit/entrance on K-10?
No.
What lessons were learned from the recent water quality issue that led to a boil order for four days?
Boil orders are, fortunately, rare occurrences. The situation that led to the boil order was out of our control. But we did learn that strong partnerships with private contractors and the Kansas Department of Health help tremendously when facing a potential crisis. We’re hopeful this will not be a regular occurrence.
Is the fire station an addition to or a replacement for the downtown station?
Any decisions about fire coverage, including the status of the downtown station, are handled by the Northwest Consolidated Fire District. They’re the best source for details on this topic!
What steps are being taken to prevent De Soto from becoming overrun by large commercial companies, like nearby cities?
Excellent question! Our City Council, EDC and City staff are committed to smart, strategic growth. That’s the primary reason we annexed the former Sunflower Ammunition Plant. By making that area part of De Soto, we are able to exercise control over the volume and pace of development – while reaping the economic benefits.
It’s not our intention to be overrun by large commercial companies. It IS our intention to attract select companies committed to offering well-paying jobs.
Attracting companies to our area will only strengthen our community by allowing us to add services and amenities and diversify our revenue streams.
What is being pitched around Lexington, and what is the development timeline?
We see the area west of Lexington and south of K-10 as a prime opportunity for near-term development. We have initiated a detailed area plan that will engage stakeholders in that area, and we look forward to collaborating with the community on it. The study is underway and will be done by May.
What is De Soto doing to attract builders that will construct starter single-family homes (1,100-1,500 sq ft, $200-300K range) for first-time buyers and seniors looking to downsize?
The City has a limited role in the economic factors that impact housing prices. The cost is market-driven. However, we do have an economic incentive policy aimed at builders interested in lowering overall housing costs in general.
Five-year projection on property tax impact? Is the 2025 reduction a one time hit?
When we formulate a budget, we always look at the five-year projections. We’re confident we can maintain the lower mill levy throughout the five-year projection.
Downtown De Soto was rated very low in city surveys by area residents. What are the City’s plans to enhance downtown?
While the individual downtown stores are privately owned, which limits the City’s direct involvement, the recent growth in the number of businesses downtown and the overall resurgence of De Soto make it a great time to revisit the idea of a downtown improvement initiative.
What part of the battery manufacturing process is taking place at the Panasonic plant?
The entire process happens inside the facility. Raw materials will enter on one side of the building and move through the production process throughout the facility, finishing up in packing and shipping.
Does Panasonic pay sales tax on their batteries?
In Kansas, equipment that is made in the production process isn’t taxed until the final product is sold. This is true for any product manufactured anywhere in Kansas. It is not unique to Panasonic. For example, when Panasonic sells a battery to a manufacturer, no sales tax is paid. When that manufacturer sells the car, sales tax is collected. In other words, the sales tax is paid at the retail point of sale and not wholesale.