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1. What is Emporia Recreation Commission's relationship to the Emporia School District and the City of Emporia?

The Emporia Recreation Commission was formed by Emporia voters as a joint recreation commission in 1953 to provide local recreation programs for the youth of Emporia under the auspices of the Emporia School Board. The ERC is, however, a separate entity, although the Emporia Board of Education has authority over the ERC budget.

A five-member Commission, comprised of community members and elected officials are appointed by the Board of Education and the City Commission, sets policy for the ERC. One citizen is appointed from each governing body, and one is at-large. All members serve four year terms, without compensation.

USD 253 Appointments

• 1 USD School Board Member (4 Year Term)
• 1 USD Citizen Appointee (4 Year Term)

City of Emporia Appointments

• 1 City Commission Member (4 Year Term)
• 1 City Citizen Appointee (4 Year Term)

Emporia Recreation Commission Appointments

• 1 At-Large Appointee (4 Year Term)

2. How is the Emporia Recreation Commission funded?

ERC is funded through a variety of sources which include: 

• Property taxes
• Donations
• Sponsorships
• User fees

In 2010, the USD 253 School Board approved ERC to increase its mill levy up to 4 additional mills to be used for:

• Care and upkeep of the Lee Beran Recreation Center facility (i.e. Emporia Recreation Center) and the city-owned athletic facilities managed by the ERC
• Maintaining and improving recreation programs
• Funding improvements for recreational facilities

From 2012 thru 2015, the Emporia Recreation Commission levied only 2.5 additional mills out of the 4 mill increase. In 2016, the ERC levied the remaining 1.5 mills to continue maintaining and improving the city-owned ball fields and facilities managed and programmed by the Lee Beran Recreation Center. 

The FY 2021 / 2022 Budget identifies that 62% of the budget is derived from taxes and 39% from self-sustaining funds. Tax revenues pay for facility-related expenses only while adult recreation programs are supported by user fees and non-tax revenues, youth programs are supported by user fees and non-tax revenues, and in some instances are partially subsidized by tax revenues from our Youth Fee Scholarship Program.

3. Of my total property tax bill, what portion goes to ERC?

Approximately 4.8% of your property tax bill goes to the Emporia Recreation Commission.