EMPORIA — A proposed merger between the Lyon County Extension office and the Frontier Extension District, which has combined offices in Franklin and Osage counties, will go before voters at the August primary. The question will be on both Republican and Democratic primary ballots, Lyon County Clerk Tammy Vopat said. Enough voters signed protest petitions to force a vote on the merger. In January, Lyon Lounty commissioners voted 2-1 for the merger. However, the merger has drawn protests because opponents say the merger would allow the enlarged Frontier District unlimited property tax powers, and they believe Lyon County taxpayers would end up paying most of the costs to operate the combined office. The Frontier District doesn’t have a cap on property taxes, they said. KVOE Radio of Rmporia reported that Lyon County commissioners recently refused a request that the county ask for an attorney general’s opinion on whether Extension districts can legally cap their mill levies.
KVOE said that since the matter is up for election, commissioners said they’ll wait until the election results are known.
Tuesday, May 22, 3 p.m.