Abilene local news summary

Commission sets criteria for city manager search

Residency requirements relaxed for tree board

Commission approves long-term capital plan amidst budget constraints

Ordinance shifts engineering costs to private developers

City requires annexation agreements for outside utility connections

Northwest 8th Street property rezoned for industrial use

City to rescind water watch status

Commissioners vote to reduce their own salaries by 10 percent

Commission approves $4.3 million budget amendment for communications

Vendor error causes delays in tax statement delivery

Appraiser reports rising property values amid tax protests

Commission weighs future funding options for recovery court

Commission sets criteria for city manager search

ABILENE, Kan. - The Abilene City Commission provided direction to John Deardoff, Local Government Advisor for the Localeague of Kansas Municipalities, regarding the search for a new city manager. The commission reached a consensus to seek candidates with five to nine years of experience and a preference for a bachelor's degree in public administration, though they agreed relevant experience could substitute for formal education. While the commission generally agreed on the desired qualifications, a debate emerged regarding residency; Commissioner John Kollhoff argued that living within city limits should be mandatory, calling it "absurd" not to require it, while Deardoff advised that strict residency requirements could limit the applicant pool.

Residency requirements relaxed for tree board members

ABILENE, Kan. - Following a heated debate on governance principles, the Abilene City Commission voted 3-1 to approve Ordinance 25-3470, allowing residents of Dickinson County to serve on the Abilene Tree Board, rather than restricting membership to city residents. Public Works staff noted the board has struggled to find volunteers living within city limits. Commissioner John Kollhoff dissented, arguing it is poor public policy to allow non-taxpaying county residents to make decisions for the city, stating, "If the people of Abilene aren't interested in it... let's just dissolve the board."

Commission approves long-term capital plan amidst budget constraints

ABILENE, Kan. - A 10-year Capital Improvement and Equipment Reserve Plan for 2026-2034 was approved by a 3-1 vote, reflecting a shift from the city's previous five-year planning outlook. Interim City Manager Jon Quinday emphasized that the plan is a "realistic snapshot" of financial constraints, noting that no funds were transferred to the capital improvement plan for 2026 due to budget limitations. Commissioner John Kollhoff voted against the plan after a motion to table the item for further study failed for lack of a second, arguing that discussing the reallocation of funds within the plan was "disingenuous" given the current lack of resources.

Ordinance shifts engineering costs to private developers

ABILENE, Kan. - The Abilene City Commission voted 3-1 to approve Ordinance 25-3467, which formalizes the city's use of contracted engineers and shifts the cost of engineering reviews to private developers. Interim City Manager Jon Quinday explained that the ordinance ensures taxpayers do not subsidize private projects, such as drainage studies for new developments. Commissioner John Kollhoff voted against the measure, attempting unsuccessfully to table the item; he expressed concern that the new rules could result in duplicative costs for developers who have already paid for their own engineering studies.

City requires annexation agreements for outside utility connections

ABILENE, Kan. - The Abilene City Commission voted 3-1 to adopt Ordinance 25-3468, which standardizes the approval process for water and sewer connections outside city limits. The new policy requires property owners seeking utility connections to sign a "no-protest annexation agreement," preventing them from opposing future annexation attempts by the city. Commissioner John Kollhoff cast the dissenting vote, arguing that the policy creates inequality between current and future customers and suggested the requirement was an unfair leverage tactic.

Northwest 8th Street property rezoned for industrial use

ABILENE, Kan. - The Abilene City Commission unanimously approved the rezoning of a property in the 1500 block of Northwest 8th Street from an agricultural district to a light industrial district. The rezoning allows local business Concrete Plus to construct a new shop and storage facility on the site. Community Development Director Nick Zook noted the area is well-suited for industrial use due to its access to the Northwest 14th Street industrial corridor and Interstate 70.

City to rescind water watch status

ABILENE, Kan. - Interim City Manager Jon Quinday announced that the city intends to rescind its current water watch status following a report on the health of the city's wellfield. Public Works staff reported that a reduction in usage has allowed the wellfields to recharge and that the system is currently in good standing. While the commission motioned to recall the warning, staff clarified that the city manager has the authority to remove the voluntary restrictions without a formal vote.

Commissioners vote to reduce their own salaries by 10 percent

ABILENE, Kan. - The Dickinson County Commission voted unanimously to reduce their own salaries by 10 percent for the 2026 fiscal year as part of a broader effort to cut county spending. Commissioner Kenny Roelofsen introduced the measure, noting that elected officials should lead by example regarding budget constraints. The reduction brings the annual salary for each commissioner to $19,743.

Commission approves $4.3 million budget amendment for communications

ABILENE, Kan. - The commission held a public hearing and approved a budget amendment adding more than $4.3 million to the 2025 Countywide Communication Sales Tax Fund. County Finance Director Marcus Rothschild explained the amendment accounts for capital expenditures regarding the Motorola emergency communications system project, which were originally budgeted for 2024 but will be paid in 2025 due to shipping timelines.

Vendor error causes delays in tax statement delivery

ABILENE, Kan. - County Treasurer Leah Hern reported that a third-party vendor hired to print and mail tax statements used standard mail rather than first-class postage, resulting in delivery delays for many residents. Hern explained that the contract was intended to save tax dollars but ultimately compromised service, as some taxpayers received delinquent notices before their original statements. The treasurer's office is working with affected residents to address issues caused by the mailing delay.

Appraiser reports rising property values amid tax protests

ABILENE, Kan. - Dickinson County Appraiser Lisa Berg reported that while Dickinson County real estate remains generally undervalued compared to state compliance goals, market trends suggest a 2 percent to 8 percent increase in valuations for the coming year. Staff members are currently conducting hearings regarding payment-under-protest filings, addressing valuation disputes on commercial vehicles and real estate.

Commission weighs future funding options for recovery court

ABILENE, Kan. - Commissioners discussed the long-term financial stability of the county's recovery court program, which has successfully graduated 17 participants but faces depleting resources. Officials noted that while opioid settlement funds are currently subsidizing the program, the county must prepare to integrate the costs into the general fund or secure new grants by 2027 to ensure the program continues.

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