Fairgrounds concession lease approved in split vote

Abilene Public Library presents 2027 budget, cuts digital services

Library reports increased usage, $55,000 in grant funding

Joint meeting scheduled to clarify city and library board roles

Commission narrows city manager search to three firms

Commissioners debate timing of stormwater rate increases

City orders cost estimates for priority drainage projects

Commission approves KDOT grant for tornado-damaged airport hangars

1. Fairgrounds concession lease approved in split vote

ABILENE, Kan. — In a 4-1 vote, the Abilene City Commission approved a $100 annual ground lease for privately owned concession buildings located on city property at the Central Kansas Free Fair fairgrounds, with Mayor Brandon Rein, Vice Mayor Cy Taylor, and Commissioners Amy Meysenberg and Debbie Lytle voting in favor, and Commissioner John Kollhoff dissenting. The lease establishes maintenance and insurance expectations and gives owners until June 30, 2027, to bring the structures up to city building codes or face automatic lease termination. The measure faced some debate over concerns that a $1 annual lease would be sufficient and questions regarding the financial burden of insurance requirements on the vendors.

2. Abilene Public Library presents 2027 budget, cuts digital services

ABILENE, Kan. — The Abilene Public Library presented its 2027 budget, maintaining the city's 8.22 mill levy requirement by cutting benefits for future part-time employees and canceling the Hoopla digital media service. Library Director Wendy Moulton explained that an $8,000 endowment transfer was also necessary to balance the budget amid a projected 3.55 percent to 4.95 percent revenue shortfall caused by delinquent property taxes.

3. Library reports increased usage, $55,000 in grant funding

ABILENE, Kan. — Library visits in Abilene are up 15.5 percent over the last year, with physical circulation rising 6.6 percent and digital circulation jumping 16 percent. Library Director Wendy Moulton announced the library has secured $55,000 in grants so far this year, which will fund upcoming adult and computer literacy projects as well as the installation of automatic door openers to improve wheelchair accessibility in the facility's restrooms.

4. Joint meeting scheduled to clarify city and library board roles

ABILENE, Kan. — The Abilene City Commission and the Abilene Public Library Board will hold a joint study session to review their shared 2011 lease agreement and discuss statutory budget processes. Interim City Manager Jon Quinday recommended the meeting to foster open dialogue and establish a shared understanding of governance responsibilities, aiming to resolve recent back-and-forth written correspondence between the two entities.

5. Commission narrows city manager search to three firms

ABILENE, Kan. — After reviewing proposals from seven executive recruitment agencies, the Abilene City Commission narrowed its choices to three firms, including Colin Baenziger & Associates and Clear Career Professionals, to lead the search for Abilene's next city manager. Commissioners prioritized firms with Midwestern experience and regional networks while opting against West Coast-heavy firms despite high initial evaluation scores from city staff.

6. Commissioners debate timing of stormwater rate increases

ABILENE, Kan. — A proposal to implement stormwater utility rate increases to fund major drainage projects sparked substantial debate among commissioners over the timing of the hikes. City staff presented three timelines for gradual or immediate rate hikes starting Jan. 1, 2027, to help secure infrastructure grants and cover debt service. Concerns were raised during the meeting that the city must finalize a concrete engineering plan for known flood zones before raising rates.

7. City orders cost estimates for priority drainage projects

ABILENE, Kan. — Following debate over stormwater funding, the Abilene City Commission directed staff to obtain cost estimates from engineering firm Olsson for several priority drainage areas, including a residential flooding zone near Northwest 17th Street and Summit Drive. The estimates, expected by late August or early September, will help the commission evaluate project scopes and regional impact before committing to a final stormwater utility rate structure.

8. Commission approves KDOT grant for tornado-damaged airport hangars

ABILENE, Kan. — The Abilene City Commission unanimously approved a Kansas Department of Transportation airport grant agreement, securing up to $333,700 to help replace T-hangars destroyed by an EF4 tornado on May 25, 2016. The total project cost is estimated at $1.65 million, largely funded by the Federal Aviation Administration, with the project set to bid for a six-place hangar base and an alternate option for eight hangars to meet existing aviation demand. Moving forward a decade after the storm severely impacted the area, this grant allows the city to finally clear the long timeline required to replace the structures.

Click here for local obituaries

Click here for local jail logs

Found a mistake? Have a news tip or feedback to share? Contact our newsroom using the button below:

Contact Us