Wynn was born in Bad Homburg Germany. Wynn attended Pennsylvania Military College and the University of Richmond, graduating in 1973 with a degree in history and a commission as a 2nd Lt. (Infantry) United States Army. Wynn earned a master's degree in education from Kansas State University in 1980. He served on active duty as an Infantry and Logistics Officer from 1973 to 1997, with assignments in Germany, Korea, Fort Leavenworth, Fort Benning, Fort Riley, Africa, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. He served with the 1st Infantry Division during Operation Desert Shield/Storm and spent three years as an assistant professor of military science (Army ROTC) at Kansas State University.
Wynn retired from the Army in 1997 and began a second career as an administrator and faculty member at Barton County Community College Fort Riley Campus. Wynn has served as an Associate Dean of the Fort Riley Campus and as Executive Director of Distance Learning — bartonline.org. He retired from Barton Community College in August of 2017.
Wynn Butler was first elected to the Manhattan City Commission in April 2011. He is currently serving as Mayor and served as Mayor in 2014-2015.
Why should I vote for you?
I champion lean management and budget restraint. Affordability starts with spending habits and tax policy. The city needs to live within its means. We have adequate revenue streams, if properly managed, to maintain and improve city infrastructure and quality of life. Prioritization of spending is the answer. During my time on the commission, I have not supported or voted for a mill levy increase.
What is your biggest budget priority and why?
Focusing efforts on increasing sales tax receipts. City budget must be driven by sales tax and other revenue streams, not property tax.
How would you draw more economic development and investment to Manhattan?
I championed the 2012 economic development sales tax as well as the recently approved voter 2023 Economic Recovery and Relief Sales Tax. Those funds have and will be used to improve infrastructure, drive down city debt, incentivize and attract business to Manhattan and provide for work force housing. Attracting more business to Manhattan starts with tax policy, lower taxes attract business. Next, we must sustain and maintain our excellent fire and police force. A safe city is where entrepreneurs want to conduct business. City infrastructure from roads to storm water are also important, we must sustain and improve the city infrastructure. Quality of Life is the final ingredient to attraction of business – the city must provide affordable amenities to families locating to our area. Working closely with the Chamber of Commerce to attract new business to the city is also a vital agreement. The recently passed ordinance creating a Speculative Industrial Building and IRB Program is a prime example of working with the Chamber to increase economic development. Another key point to Economic Development and Investment is to reduce government regulation. The revised MDC – Manhattan Development Code is the right step in that direction.
What does Manhattan do well? How should that be maintained/expanded?
Manhattan does an excellent job on core city functions. We have an excellent Fire Department in MFD and a first-class police force in RCPD. The city water department and quality of the water is one of the best in the nation. Our city parks network and recreation facilities are some of the best in the state. We can continue to maintain our core functions through careful prioritization of our revenue streams. Most important is to fence the utility funds – water, sewer, storm water – so that those funds are not diverted from there intended purpose.
What future improvements/additions/changes should be prioritized?
The most important issue is to upgrade the storm water system. We have a backlog of projects. Total cost to fix everything in a single year would be close to 40 million dollars. We need to ensure that all the revenue collected in storm water fees is spent on improving the system. The recent levee project is a big step forward in flood control. We need to continue our mitigation efforts and ensure that no further building is allowed in the flood plain areas.
In what ways, if any, does Manhattan need to adapt for the mass influx of families for NBAF and Afghan resettlement?
I think the term mass influx of families may be a bit misleading. The jobs at NBAF are well paying jobs and families relocating to Manhattan should not experience any problems. Refugees from Afghanistan were projected to be around 50 families. That is not a mass influx. Depending upon their financial status, refugees could overburden our social services network. Many jobs are available so employment should not be a serious problem. Immediate need is to find affordable housing and possibly establish the ability to help with language training. The key to resettlement is to integrate quickly into the community by finding jobs, housing, and elimination of language barriers.
What ways, if any, should the concepts of diversity, equity, and inclusion be included in professional development or other training for City employees?
City training on various OSHA rules and city policies should be conducted on a regular basis. It is important for all the employees to be aware of various federal, state, and local laws, policies and ordinances. The city has specific EO policies from the city managers office and a city-wide ordinance. Those are the starting point for any training in terms of DEI.
What is your top, specific issue in running for this office and why?
My top issue has always been tax policy. Increased property tax increases rents and drives people out of town. That is why surrounding areas grow and Manhattan stays stagnant. During my time on the commission, I have devoted efforts to decrease spending while maintaining core city functions. I have never voted for a mill levy increase. I have supported targeted sales taxes and championed the current eco devo tax and the 2023 replacement Economic Recovery sales tax. We have many revenue streams. The city needs to stop increasing property tax and prioritize spending from the other sources.
Editor’s Note: All candidates were provided identical questions. All candidates were given identical time limits for response submissions. Responses were limited to 300 words per question. Candidate responses are published as written, up to 300 words. Only candidates choosing to respond will be profiled.