City receives clean 2025 financial audit

2027 water utility budget adjusted to halt deficit spending

City to seek bids for municipal banking services

Commission to evaluate persistent flooding on Northwest 17th Street

Commission approves $41,400 purchase to replace failing fire hydrants

City secures $400,000 state loan for wastewater plant upgrades

Commission initiates search firm selection for new city manager

Brady Street property rezoned for single-family residential development

New Wild Bill Hickok monument destined for Old Abilene Town

1. City receives clean 2025 financial audit

ABILENE, Kan. — The city commission unanimously accepted a clean 2025 financial audit presented by April Swartz, an owner at Varney & Associates, CPAs, LLC. Swartz reported no statutory or budget violations, noting that all budgeted funds came in under budget by a combined total of $5.8 million. The city ended the year with $14.38 million in reconciled cash, primarily held in checking, money market accounts and certificates of deposit. Swartz also commended the city's recent transition to new accounting software, which she said has significantly improved the financial tracking process.

2. 2027 water utility budget adjusted to halt deficit spending

ABILENE, Kan. — Following years of expenditures outpacing revenues, the city's 2027 water utility budget has been balanced to stop deficit spending. City staff pointed out that in 2024, the water utility spent $477,000 more than it generated, dropping cash reserves from $900,000 to $437,000. In 2025, the fund was budgeted to overspend by an additional $700,000. The proposed 2027 budget aligns resources and expenditures at $3.1 million, ensuring the utility operates within its newly generated revenues while preserving budget authority for necessary capital improvement transfers.

3. City to seek bids for municipal banking services

ABILENE, Kan. — The city will issue a request for proposals for its municipal banking services in an effort to secure higher interest rates on its primary operating checking account. During a budget discussion, the commission noted that the account — which holds an average daily balance fluctuating between $650,000 and $1.5 million — currently generates only about $50 a month in interest. The commission directed finance director Kelsey Briand to solicit competitive bids from local banks to maximize returns on idle funds while still accommodating the city's high volume of weekly transactions.

4. Commission to evaluate persistent flooding on Northwest 17th Street

ABILENE, Kan. — Following impassioned pleas from residents of Northwest 17th Street, the city commission directed staff to examine potential solutions for severe drainage issues in the area. Residents presented videos of floodwaters turning their properties into a "raging river," blowing off manhole covers and threatening home foundations. Public works director Brad Anderson explained that the aging infrastructure is likely undersized for the current volume of runoff flowing south from Buckeye Avenue. While no immediate official action was taken, the commission agreed to consider funding a new drainage study to address the neighborhood's overwhelmed storm sewer system.

5. Commission approves $41,400 purchase to replace failing fire hydrants

ABILENE, Kan. — Citing safety concerns, the city commission unanimously approved the $41,484.90 purchase of five replacement Mueller fire hydrants from Municipal Supply, Inc. Public works director Brad Anderson noted that annual testing identified significant problems with the current hydrants, including loose press fits that could present safety risks under high pressure during an emergency. The city selected Municipal Supply, Inc. as the lowest responsible bidder among three competitors, ensuring immediate availability of replacement parts to restore critical safety infrastructure.

6. City secures $400,000 state loan for wastewater plant upgrades

ABILENE, Kan. — Abilene has officially received a $400,000 state revolving fund contract from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to execute upgrades at the wastewater treatment plant. Public works director Brad Anderson announced the funding, which will be used to implement supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) and networking improvements. The city initially applied for the loans last year, but KDHE experienced significant application processing delays statewide. Anderson noted that the city is still awaiting final confirmation on a companion application for identical upgrades at the water treatment plant.

7. Commission initiates search firm selection for new city manager

ABILENE, Kan. — The city commission reached a consensus to issue a request for qualifications to identify recruiting firms capable of leading the search for a new city manager. The move follows the commission's May decision not to move forward with candidates from a previous search process, leaving Jon Quinday to continue serving as interim city manager. The commission plans to interview the top search firms to ensure their capabilities align with the governing body's expectations. The city will accept submissions until July 19, and the commission plans to review the proposals during a July 27 study session to select candidates for subsequent interviews.

8. Brady Street property rezoned for single-family residential development

ABILENE, Kan. — A defunct dairy farm on the northern edge of the city will soon be home to a new single-family residence after the city commission unanimously approved a rezoning request. The ordinance rezones the 1300 block and 1319 N. Brady St. from a C1 Office and Service Business District to an R1 Low-Density Residential District. The dairy operation ceased approximately 10 years ago, and the rezoning aligns with the city's 2024–2045 comprehensive plan. The Abilene Planning Commission previously recommended approval of the change after receiving no protests during the statutory 14-day window.

9. New Wild Bill Hickok monument destined for Old Abilene Town

ABILENE, Kan. — A recently rediscovered bronze sculpture of Wild Bill Hickok will soon find a permanent home at Old Abilene Town, Convention and Visitors Bureau director Julie Roller Weeks announced. The monument, crafted by the late Nebraska sculptor David R. Young and gifted to the city by his family, commemorates the upcoming 150th anniversary of the legendary lawman's death. The sculpture serves as a companion piece to the monument at Hickok's grave in Deadwood, South Dakota. An official dedication ceremony is scheduled for 1 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 16, during the annual Chisholm Trail Days celebration.

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