24 March 2006

Sebelius signs bill to help Junction City meet needs of growing Ft. Riley
Junction City will be able to expand infrastructure to handle new population

As part of continuing efforts to help communities around Ft. Riley get ready to handle the expected influx of soldiers, civilians and their families, Governor Kathleen Sebelius late yesterday signed a bill giving Junction City the ability to expand its infrastructure.

The Junction City area is expected to see an increase in population of more than 30,000 people in the next five years. HB 2759 gives the city the ability to issue more bonds to pay for needed infrastructure improvements such as roads and water and sewer lines.

“The growth of Ft. Riley is a boon for the area and for the entire state. We want to help local communities get ready for the influx of new families and businesses that will be coming to the area as the base expands,” said Sebelius.

The bill raises the city bonded debt limit for Junction City from 30% of assessed valuation as follows: bonded indebtedness shall not exceed 40% of the assessed valuation until June 30, 2011; after July 1, 2011, bonded indebtedness shall not exceed 37% of the assessed valuation until June 20, 2013; on and after July 1, 2013, the bonded indebtedness shall not exceed 34% of the assessed valuation until June 30, 2015, at which time the bonded debt limit shall return to 30% of assessed valuation.

The increased bonded debt limit is needed to help meet infrastructure demands as the city rapidly expands. This bill will take effect after publication in the Kansas register.

In addition, today Governor Sebelius signed into law two bills that will designate memorial highways.

Designates Vietnam War Veterans Memorial Highway

HB 2705 designates Interstate 135 from the northern boundary of McPherson County to the southern boundary of Harvey County as the Vietnam War Veterans Memorial Highway. The Secretary of Transportation will place signs at the entrance to I-135 in McPherson and Harvey Counties identifying it as such. This will take effect upon publication in the statute book.

Designates World War I Veterans Memorial Highway and United States Submarine Veterans Memorial Highway

HB 2951 designates a portion of U.S. Highway 36 from the eastern boundary of Smith County then west to the western boundary of Smith County as the World War I Veterans Memorial Highway. The bill also designates Interstate 335 from the junction of Interstate 335 with Interstate 470 to the junction of Interstate 335 with Interstate 35 as the United States Submarine Veterans Memorial Highway. The Secretary of Transportation will place signs along the highways’ right-of-way to indicate the designation.

Governor Sebelius has now signed 41 bills and vetoed 2 during the 2006 Legislative Session.