OTTAWA — Franklin County commissioners will make a road trip to Wichita today for a statewide county commissioner conference. Commission Chair Ed Taylor said he’s not worried that the state will take more money from counties because with the exception of a special highway fund, there’s nothing left for the state to take from the counties. Because that highway fund is funded by local fuel taxes, Taylor said it’s unlikely that the state would take that from the counties. The biggest change facing county commissions – and which will be discussed at Wichita — is a proposed major change in the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System, Commissioner Don Stottlemire said. After years of legislators short-changing payments to KPERS, the state is facing a huge gap between KPERS and the number of potential retirees and as a result, the state’s bond rating has been downgraded. Stottlemire said legislators could change KPERS to a 401-K system for new state, county, school and local employees. However, financial experts say the switch to a 401-K system wouldn’t do anything to deal with the present financial hole.
Tuesday, May 3, 7 a.m.
