Hey, wabash909, what percentage of these airport renovations were funded by Kansas State University? The university sees a benefit, so surely the city made the students pay a larger share for it than the townies.
A fairly large portion, I would guess. As you know, the bulk of the expansion will be paid for by the FAA, but the portions of the funding that Manhattan is obligated to match will be paid for by parking fees and, ideally, a .5 cent sales tax in Manhattan (Commission waqs supposed to vote in November, '12). Manhattan population was 52,281 as of 2010 census - including both the student body population and Ft. Riley personnel living in Manhattan. Therefore, yes, the students will be generating over 50% of that sales tax revenue that the City will be handing over to the MHK expansion.
Likewise, with a manhattan bus system that services the University, the students and faculty (over 50% of the manhattan population) should be tasked with providing some $$$ for the system. I think either increased student fees with free fare or no student fees with paid fare are both options. imposing an 1/8 cent tax on hotel and rental cars could generate some substantial funding as well for the system.
