During Tuesday nights Junction City City Commission meeting the commission approved a resolution of support for a proposed casino in Junction City on a 5-0 vote.

Representative Allan Rothlisberg has been working on legislation to have Geary County designated as a future site for a state owned casino. In his efforts to gather support for the project he has asked multiple area commissions to sign a resolution of support.

After being tabled during the city’s November 19th meeting it was back on the agenda Tuesday night.

The resolution outlines why the city is in favor of bringing a casino into the area and the number one reason is for economic growth. It outlines the city’s recent financial struggles as well and that the increased revenue a casino would create would take excessive tax burdens off of the city’s taxpayers.

Commissioner Mick McCallister asked if a project this size has been discussed regionally. “Just greater partnering in the region for something that big, I think probably requires more attention to that in the region.”

Gerald Smith, City Manager, explained that it’s his understanding that Representative Rothlisberg has been pursuing support for the project within a fifty mile radius of the city.

“To show that it is a regional approach and there is regional support,” Smith said. “We’re at the very early stages of this thing.”

The Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Commission Advisory Committee both approved a motion to support the casino project in November.

A hearing for the bill in front of a Kansas House Committee is expected for sometime in February.