City of Liberal

Aluminum Overcast

City of Liberal

Demographics

City Of Liberal Government:

Council/Manager

Incorporated as a town in 1888.

Population - City of Liberal:

20,074 (Estimate 2008)

Population - Seward County:

23,016 (Estimate 2008)

Liberal Cost Of Living Index:

79.3 (U.S. is 100)

Climate: (2010)

Totals and averages (2010)

Annual average high temperature	69.9 °F
Annual average low temperature	41.6 °F
Average temperature	55.8 °F
Average annual precipitation	19.8 in.

City overview (2010)

State:	Kansas	Timezone:	-6
Altitude:	2844 ft	Sunrise:	07:55
Longitude:	-100.92	Sunset:	17:50
Latitude:	37.04
City Location Map

Property Information:

Estimated median house or condo value in 2009:

$80,186 (it was $65,400 in 2000)

Economics & Business:

Liberal MSA Business:

Number of Businesses:

Labor Force:

2006 Unemployment Rate:

5.2%

Total Retail Sales:

$2,848,257,766 (2005)

Liberal Incentives:

The city of Liberal, KS offers incentives to support its businesses, old and new. Contact us to discuss the needs of your business.

For expanding local businesses and businesses new to Liberal, the city works in conjunction with state and federal agencies to develop custom incentive packages. Incentive packages are based primarily on job creation, wages and overall investment in the community. To be eligible, a business must be engaged in one or more of the following: Manufacturing, Service, Research & Development, Warehousing & Distribution, Corporate Headquarters, Transportation, Tourism or Medical Services.

Local Incentives for New and Expanding Businesses

Industrial Revenue Bonds
IRB’s are securities issued by the City to provide funds for credit-worthy companies to purchase land and pay the cost to construct and equip new facilities.

Property Tax Abatements
The City may abate ad velorem taxes on all or any portion of the appraised value of a property used by a qualifying business.

Infrastructure Improvements
For qualifying businesses, the City may provide certain infrastructure improvements within the City’s Industrial Parks.

State Incentives for New and Expanding Businesses
For more information, visit the Kansas Department of Commerce website.

Enterprise Zone Incentives
Provides potential Kansas sales tax exemption and Kansas income/privilege tax credits to businesses creating net new jobs in Kansas through major capital investment projects.

High Performance Incentive Program
Offers a 10% income tax credit for eligible capital investment that exceeds $50,000 at a company’s qualified business facility, with a carry-forward that can be used in any of the next 10 years in which the qualified business facility re-qualifies for HPIP.

Kansas Economic Opportunity Initiative Fund
Used to secure economic benefits and to avoid or remedy economic losses. Forgivable loans are available by application only and are dependent on the size of the project and level of local commitment.

Workforce Training
The Kansas Industrial Training (KIT), Kansas Industrial Retraining (KIR), and Investments in Major Products and Comprehensive Training (IMPACT) programs can pay for the cost of training new employees or retraining existing workers. Instructors may come from your supervisory staff community colleges, area technical schools, consultants, vendors or other sources.

For businesses already located in Liberal, the following grants are available:

Façade

Façade grants are available to offset the cost of permanent exterior and site improvements. Grants reimburse 50% of total project cost up to $5,000. Eligible properties face Pancake Ave or Kansas Ave from 11th St to Birch St. Properties facing side streets of Kansas Ave between Lincoln and Washington streets from 6th St to Trail St are also eligible. Residential, government and church properties are excluded. Mixed-use buildings are eligible if the first floor is commercial.

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Building Conversion

Building conversion grants are available to offset the cost of converting the usage of a building (example: retail to office use or vice versa). Eligible expenditures include interior demolition or preparation as well as permanent interior improvements such as flooring, walls, lighting, plumbing, wiring, heating and air conditioning. Grants reimburse 50% of total cost up to $5,000. Eligible properties face Kansas Ave from 6th St to Trail St, excluding residential, government and church properties. Mixed-use buildings are eligible if the first floor is commercial.

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Mixed-Use Conversion

Mixed-use conversion grants are available to offset the cost of conversion of second floor space into residential usage. Eligible expenditures include interior demolition or preparation as well as permanent interior improvements such as flooring, walls, lighting, plumbing, wiring, heating and air conditioning. Grants reimburse 50% of total cost up to $5,000. Eligible properties face Kansas Ave from 6th St to Trail St, excluding residential, government and church properties. Mixed-use buildings are eligible if the first floor is commercial.

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Office Relocation

Office relocation grants are available to offset the costs of businesses relocating to a space facing Kansas Ave from 6th St to Trail St. Grants reimburse 50% of total cost up to $1,500 after a business has been operating in its new location for one year.

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Beautification

Beautification grants are available to offset landscaping costs. Grants reimburse 20% of total project cost up to $4,000. Eligible properties face Pancake Ave or Kansas Ave from 11th St to Birch St. Properties facing side streets of Kansas Ave between Lincoln and Washington streets are also eligible. Residential, government and church properties are excluded. Mixed-use buildings are eligible if the first floor is commercial.

Read more

Targeted Development Areas:

Liberal Industrial Park:

150 acres (municipal, full service)

Airport Industrial Park:

500 acres (municipal, full service) Airport Industrial Park.pdf

Mid-America Development:

125 acres (privately owned)

Lowery Addition

27 acres (privately owned)

Tax Assessment:

All Taxing Entities

2.84 total per $100 valuation

Liberal

.6997

Seward County

.4519

Liberal ISD

1.5641

Seward County Community College

.1211

Public Improvement District #1

.10 per $100 valuation

Transportation (Liberal MSA):

Airports

Liberal Mid-America Regional Airport
Airline: Great Lakes Airlines
Fixed Base Operator: Lyddon Aero Center provides aircraft maintenance, aviation fuel, charter service, civilian aircraft flight instruction and hangar rental.

Major Highways

2 (US HWY #54, US HWY #83

Rail

1 Industrial (Union Pacific)

Public Safety

Fire Department

21 full-time employees and 13 volunteers
2 stations operating 24 hours a day (1 unstaffed)
11 pieces of motorized equipment.

Police Department

46 certified staff and 15 civilian staff
1 station
20 pieces of motorized equipment.

Sheriff’s Department

23 corrections personnel
15 officers, 10 reserve officers, 7 clerical workers

Higher Education:

Higher Education Institutions

Seward County Community College (SCCC)

Higher Education Total Employees

Number of students enrolled in higher education

Need Help?

Questions and/or Complaints
Frequently Asked Questions
City of Liberal Staff Directory

Public Services

Fire Department

The Liberal Fire Department was established on June 5th 1906, and incorporated Liberal's first fire chief and thirteen volunteer firefighters. Liberal's first fire department apparatus was a newly bought American LaFrance fire truck, this apparatus was purchased at a price of $3000.

Municipal Court

The Municipal Court, presided over by the Municipal Judge serving on a full-time basis, hears misdemeanor criminal and traffic cases occurring within city limits. Types of cases include domestic violence, theft, disorderly conduct, DUI, animal control and city code violations. Court policies and procedures follow the Kansas Code of Municipal Courts K.S.A. 12-4101, et seq., The Municipal Court Supervisor oversees 6 full-time municipal court employees. The Municipal Court is located at 325 N. Washington, Liberal, Kansas.

Police Department

With an authorized strength of 42 sworn officers and 15 non-sworn personnel, we are committed to working with our community to keep all of our citizens safe and secure. Our principles of Professionalism, Accountability, Commitment, and Teamwork are more than just words; they are exercised in the daily work ethic of our employees. Our employees are well-trained, well-equipped, and eager to serve our diverse community. Our primary goals are to reduce crime and the fear of crime in Liberal.

Recycling

Liberal Recycling Program

In order to help contribute to a better environment, the City of Liberal is involved in a recycling program. Containers are located at the Recycle Center, 1931 Airpark Avenue, which is adjacent to the Mid-America Air Museum in the Airport Industrial Park. The containers are clearly marked to assist you in depositing your items.

Solid Waste

PICKUP SCHEDULES:
1. Polycarts curbside pickup two (2) times a week. Have out by curb by 7:00 AM.
2. Residential 3-yard dumpster pickup is one (1) time a week.
3. Commercial 3-yard dumpster pickup from one (1) to six (6) times a week.
4. All trash needs to be bagged and tied except for larger boxes.
5. Please call (620) 626-0136 for exact scheduled pickup day.

Water / Sewer

Located at City Hall, 324 North Kansas Avenue (620) 626-2230

In order to start service, please bring two (2) forms of identification, one of which must be a picture I.D. Examples are: Valid driver's license, social security card, student ID, Kansas ID or work ID. All services are billed monthly on one invoice.