WE Blog

Wellington, with the huge population areas of ……….Oxford,Harper etc. to draw from or Mulvane, with Belle Plaine, Udall and OHHHHHHHHHH UH, Wichita?

I guess we will find out how smart the state of Kansas really is!!

The county isn’t running over Mulvane. Mulvane’s citizens were apparently vehemently OPPOSED to a casino at their town. So commission did what they thought was best to please everyone. When Mulvane realized a casino was going in in county anyway, they decided they wanted a piece of that pie.

There’s a link to all the proposals at the Sumner County Web Site —- the 2 proposals for Mulvane are pretty incredible and grander in scale than the Wellington sites. —- I think the Mirage proposal is even grander than Harrahs’s.

I wonder how ugly it will get between the 2 towns when Mulvane is selected? Can there be a compromise and build it between the towns off 81?

If the casino is as successful as they project, there will be a huge host of other businesses. I don’t know how “deeply” divided Mulvane is — I know it’s all a buzz —-

I hope the state can see the casino as the impetus to spur “clean” development along the southern I 35 corridor — it can create a lot of win - win for the area —-

“Mulvane’s citizens were apparently vehemently OPPOSED to a casino at their town.”

Some, not a majority, of citizens vehemently opposed the casino — the pro casino folks in town were just late coming to the dance — there was an original petition to get the city to not support a casino there — and requesting a vote. If I remember correctly that petition had about 650 signatures —- the city sent it to the AG for a legal opinion regarding the petition, vote and annexation — AG said it was not an appropriate action (the petition) because any annexation was not a votable action. At the meeting Wednesday, the mayor stated that the city never approached the casino’s to submit a proposal to consider for endorsement. All the propositions went directly to Sumner County. Based on the Sedgwick County denial of a casino and the 650 person petition the county logically (in the absence of any endorsement by Mulvane) selected Wellington. Not sure why the casnos didn’t ask for a Mulvane endorsement initially. That brought the pro casino folks out and organized and came up with a petition of 1400 signatures in favor of a casino — coincidentally Harrahs came to the city asking for an endorsement — I understand the other Casino developers may be asking for an endorsement.

The mayor and a presenter wednesday made the point that the city never asked for proposals, the city could not deny them a hearing, thus the Harrahs presentation on Wednesday to the community at large …. Harrah’s came to them, and they the city wouldn’t favorably consider any proposal that included any enticements — I think he meant some thing to the effect of don’t offer to pave our streets, build a fountain (as well as no individual enticements) the proposal has to stand on its own merits.

It will be a sweet deal for Mulvane.

Let’s not be too quick to “sell the farm” in making an agreement for 1% of revenue from local casino’s. We will lock ourselves into something that might not provide us the “going rate” in share of revenue for the city and county.

Missouri’s tax rate has stayed the same since it was first imposed more than 11 years ago. The state collects an 18 percent tax on casinos’ adjusted gross revenues and a local tax of 2 percent on AGR that is distributed to the city or county in which the casino is located. In addition, the state has a $2 admission fee per patron per two-hour gaming session. That money is split between the state and local city or county.

City/state share in revenue in Missouri:

http://www.auditor.mo.gov/notes/03-02.pdf

Gross Receipts:

http://research.stlouisfed.org/conferences/moconf/papers/phares.pdf

Tribal casino: “The tribe last year negotiated a revenue-sharing accord with the Unified Government of Wyandotte County that earmarks 3.5 percent of the first $10 million in casino revenues for the city, then 1 percent from the next $10 million and 0.3 percent from the third $10 million. The Unified Government gets nothing from revenues in excess of $30 million.”
Among those states with Native American casinos, seven have revenue sharing arrangements: Arizona, California, Connecticut, Michigan, New Mexico, New York, and Wisconsin. These revenue sharing arrangements provide from eight to 25 percent of slot machine revenues to state and local governments. One of the most publicized compacts is that of Connecticut, where in 1992 the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe, which owns the Foxwoods Casino Resort, agreed to share 25 percent of its slot machine net income with the State of Connecticut and the City of Hartford. California compacts with tribes similarly provide for a state share of gaming revenues–up to 25 percent in some cases. At the low end, New Mexico tribal casinos have agreed to pay eight percent of their slot machine net income to the state.

http://www.entrepreneur.com/tradejournals/article/134172157.html

All states cut on casino revenue:
http://www.ncsl.org/programs/econ/casinotaxes.htm

Mulvane is ansering to the call of one thing, money. They suddenly realized they might miss out on some, because they took the moral stand, Hey, maybe WIchita could do the same?

“They suddenly realized they might miss out on some, because they took the moral stand,”

What? Most people in Mulvane, along with the city council, are in favor of a casino and always have been.

Let’s not be too quick to “sell the farm” in making an agreement for 1% of revenue from local casino’s. We will lock ourselves into something that might not provide us the “going rate” in share of revenue for the city and county.
Missouri’s tax rate has stayed the same since it was first imposed more than 11 years ago. The state collects an 18 percent tax on casinos’ adjusted gross revenues and a local tax of 2 percent on AGR that is distributed to the city or county in which the casino is located. In addition, the state has a $2 admission fee per patron per two-hour gaming session. That money is split between the state and local city or county.

Tribal casino: “The tribe last year negotiated a revenue-sharing accord with the Unified Government of Wyandotte County that earmarks 3.5 percent of the first $10 million in casino revenues for the city, then 1 percent from the next $10 million and 0.3 percent from the third $10 million. The Unified Government gets nothing from revenues in excess of $30 million.”
Among those states with Native American casinos, seven have revenue sharing arrangements: Arizona, California, Connecticut, Michigan, New Mexico, New York, and Wisconsin. These revenue sharing arrangements provide from eight to 25 percent of slot machine revenues to state and local governments. One of the most publicized compacts is that of Connecticut, where in 1992 the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe, which owns the Foxwoods Casino Resort, agreed to share 25 percent of its slot machine net income with the State of Connecticut and the City of Hartford. California compacts with tribes similarly provide for a state share of gaming revenues–up to 25 percent in some cases. At the low end, New Mexico tribal casinos have agreed to pay eight percent of their slot machine net income to the state.

All states cut on casino revenue:
http://www.ncsl.org/programs/econ/casinotaxes.htm

Take a look at the proposals. They are not stand alone double wides for a casino as just over the border. They are large resorts / spas / golf courses (the ones proposed for Mulvane significantly larger with more amenites - Harrahs includes a 5000 seat ampitheater, a upscale retail mall, a Topy Keith steakhouse, and a large showroom. Harrahs also was quite adament in that it will not be a glaring neon eyesore ala the Vegas Strip — no volcanoes etc …. have only taken a quick look at the other proposal but it seems as all inclusive as Harrah’s. Harrahs seems to have a very good reputation witihin in the industry, ranked best place to work by a trade magazine. One of the questioners asked something to the Harrahs to the effect of paraphrasing “… if your so successful why are your Vegas operations going under ?”

I wouldn’t be too surprised if one of the groups takes legal action to try and block a casino. The Supreme court still hasn’t ruled on the legality of the state casino law —- that may be the next fly on the oatmeal ….

Because a question is asked does not make it a fact. i.e. if your(you’re)so successful why are your Vegas operations going under ?”

Do you still beat your wife? would be another example.

27% is not bad. 73% for the Lottery Casino Operator is not too bad either. I have heard that about 73% going to the “Big Bosses” like it was something so bad but when you compare that to the arena….The casino people are going to invest 500 million dollars to harvest 73% of the profit. The arena people are going to invest zero dollars and in fact get paid 1.5 million dollars to come to work and are going to harvest 50% and they get the first half up to a point before they start sharing with SG county. I do hope the 5000 seat casino arena does not compete too much with the SG county arena.

Out of that 73% also must come minor details like salaries, upkeep, debt service …

hmmm … build it into an interchange …

The key seems to be to have enough land for the entire complex.

I wonder how many Sedgwick/Mulvane voters voted “NO” so they could get the casino in their city for the revenues? (1% to each County and 1% to Mulvane) After all, the clear indication was that if it went into Sedgwick County it would be downtown Wichita.

ken - yep. Gee, we haven’t heard from Downtown Mrage yet. I voted NO-YES because I didn’t want it downtown but supported the Racino on the freeway.

Mulvane can be a speed trap, on K15 as well as along HW 53 (119th St. South). When you come I35 and take 119th into town, you have to really pay attention to the speed limit. It drops fast.

Wichita should have asked for a share of the speeding ticket revenue.

I am sure that Sedgwick County and Sumner County will get their share of the traffic tickets, as well.

“Why didnt you liberals insist that any Casino would be “carbon neutral”?”

You must be a real blast at parties, Paul.

WS
I have said before that I have mixed feelings, on the casino issue.

Still, we are going to have one, that has been decided.

The energy use, of said casino, was never debated, to my knowledge. These things use an awful lot of electricity.

Also, how about all the gasoline burned, to get to and from the casino?

I am just asking you to be consistent. If we are going to be hard on energy producers, why are we giving an energy USER a pass?

I am guessing that Rock Road will be developed, soon, from McConnell through Derby all the way to Mulvane, if the Mulvane casino plan wins.

Paul - I have seen a number of ideas looked at for environmental issues at the Mulvane site - including but not limited too wind, self-contained sewage, water reuse, etc.

Well excuse me, once you get further North, the Turnpike entrances off of 96 and off of Kellogg start to look attractive.
Still, I think Rock is a shorter route.

http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result.php?q1=Mulvane+KS

(lets see if link works, click on “5″ on the right.)

testing testing, it is the 19th

My guess is that there were still some relevant comments - and not the crazy spam we have seen show up on other old threads.

Actually taking Rock Road through Derby and Mulvane to get to the casino from SE Wichita is a mistake. Using Google Maps I compared back-tracking to the east Wichita KTA entrance from Harry and Rock to going straight down Rock Road from Harry and Rock and I found that taking the turnpike saves you over 10 minutes.

Did Mulvane ever consider the people who choose to live in the country away from the city, the traffic and lights? We like it out here where we can sit outside in the evening and see the stars without the glare of lights. There are many housing communities right where Harrah’s want their casino. Did they once consider our way of a quiet peaceful life here? Will Harrah’s buy my home and anyone else’s who do not wish to live by their little city and the lights, traffic, noise and pollution so we can relocate to the peace and tranquility of the country? My family and I, along with others here in Sumner County within 3 miles of the Mulvane Turnpike Exchange, say NO to Harrah’s and Mulvane. Mulvane is all about the money because they have nothing to offer anyone to go there (5 miles)and shop besides a Dollar General, used clothing/misc. store, small hardware store, and a couple of restuarants. What a thrill! At least Wellington has a downtown (2 miles) with lots of retail shops. Mulvane was never mentioned when all the talk started about a Sumner County casino. Sedgwick County needs to get the #@&! out of Sumner County’s business because they DIDN’T want the casino in the beginning. Go Wellingon! You wanted it, you should get it. As for me, I can do without it.