Commission sets criteria for city manager search

Residency requirements relaxed for tree board members

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

County approves significant hike in inmate medical costs

Commission renews law enforcement contract with Solomon

Indigent defense contract awarded to local attorney

EMS reports rise in call volume and success with new program

Local officials press state on emergency radio system accountability

Vandalism of road signs costs taxpayers

Bridge replacement closes 500 Avenue for months

State delay hinders county property valuation notices

Senator discusses education funding and property tax relief

Commission sets criteria for city manager search

The Abilene City Commission instructed League of Kansas Municipalities advisor John Deardoff to seek city manager candidates with five to nine years of experience and a preference for a bachelor’s degree in public administration, though relevant experience may substitute for formal education. While the commission reached a consensus on qualifications, Commissioner John Kollhoff argued for a strict residency requirement within city limits, calling the lack thereof "absurd," while Deardoff warned that such mandates could restrict the applicant pool.

Residency requirements relaxed for tree board members

Facing a shortage of volunteers within city limits, the commission voted 3-1 to approve Ordinance 25-3470, which expands eligibility for the Abilene Tree Board to include residents of Dickinson County. Public Works staff noted the ongoing struggle to fill seats, but Commissioner John Kollhoff cast the dissenting vote, arguing that allowing non-taxpaying county residents to make municipal decisions is poor governance and suggesting the board should be dissolved if local interest remains low.

Commission approves long-term capital plan amidst budget constraints

The commission approved a 10-year Capital Improvement and Equipment Reserve Plan for 2026-2034 by a 3-1 vote, a shift from previous five-year outlooks that Interim City Manager Jon Quinday described as a realistic reflection of the city’s financial constraints. With no funds allocated for capital improvements in 2026, Commissioner John Kollhoff opposed the measure after a failed attempt to table it, characterizing discussions on fund reallocation as disingenuous given the current lack of resources.

Ordinance shifts engineering costs to private developers

By a 3-1 vote, the commission adopted Ordinance 25-3467, formalizing the use of contracted engineers and requiring private developers to cover the costs of engineering reviews to prevent taxpayer subsidization of private projects. Interim City Manager Jon Quinday supported the move to protect public funds, while Commissioner John Kollhoff dissented, expressing concern that the new regulation could impose duplicative expenses on developers who have already funded their own studies.

City requires annexation agreements for outside utility connections

The commission voted 3-1 to enact Ordinance 25-3468, mandating that property owners seeking water and sewer connections outside city limits sign a "no-protest annexation agreement" to prevent opposition to future city expansion. Commissioner John Kollhoff provided the sole dissenting vote, contending that the requirement acts as an unfair leverage tactic and creates inequity between existing and future utility customers.

Northwest 8th Street property rezoned for industrial use

In a unanimous decision, the commission rezoned a property in the 1500 block of Northwest 8th Street from agricultural to light industrial use, paving the way for Concrete Plus to construct a new shop and storage facility. Community Development Director Nick Zook supported the change, noting the site’s strategic location near the Northwest 14th Street industrial corridor and Interstate 70 makes it well-suited for industrial development.

City to rescind water watch status

Interim City Manager Jon Quinday announced plans to rescind the city's water watch status after Public Works staff reported that reduced consumption has allowed the wellfield system to recharge and return to good standing. Although the commission initially moved to recall the warning, staff clarified that the city manager holds the authority to lift the voluntary restrictions without a formal vote.

County approves significant hike in inmate medical costs

The Dickinson County Commission approved a new contract for inmate medical services that will more than double the annual cost, rising from approximately $54,000 to $131,457. Sheriff Jerry Davis recommended the contract with Advanced Correctional Healthcare, which increases medical staffing at the jail from six hours to 20 hours per week. Davis cited a need to reduce county liability and address an increase in inmates with chronic conditions, noting that the jail's medical expenses had already exceeded the previous budget due to high-need patients. The county will cover the roughly $60,000 budget shortfall through general fund reserves.

Commission renews law enforcement contract with Solomon

The commission voted unanimously to renew a contract to provide law enforcement services to the city of Solomon for 2026. Under the agreement, the Dickinson County Sheriff's Office will provide 174 man-hours of patrol and presence in the city for an annual cost of $117,571. County Administrator Janelle Dockendorf noted that the arrangement has been in place for approximately 30 years and includes provisions for deputies to be present near Solomon schools during school days.

Indigent defense contract awarded to local attorney

To address a shortage in available legal counsel, the commission approved a contract with local attorney Joel Ensey to provide indigent defense services. The contract, valued at $5,800 per month or approximately $69,600 annually, was necessary after another contracted attorney became unavailable for an extended period. Ensey will primarily handle juvenile cases but will also assist with other indigent defense needs as they arise.

EMS reports rise in call volume and success with new program

EMS Director John Hultgren reported that emergency medical service calls increased by 8 percent in the last year. Hultgren also updated the commission on the Mobile Integrated Healthcare program, which currently serves seven patients. He highlighted a recent success where a community paramedic was able to coordinate a prescription for a patient with a provider, preventing a hospital admission and saving the cost of an ambulance transport.

Local officials press state on emergency radio system accountability

Emergency Management Director Chancy Smith and commissioners expressed frustration regarding the state's 800 MHz radio communication system, citing a lack of fiscal accountability at the state level for necessary upgrades. Smith noted that while the county spent millions from a quarter-cent sales tax to build local towers, the state has not designated a specific department to fund the maintenance of the wider $100 million system. State Senator Scott Hill acknowledged the issue, agreeing that clarity is needed between the Kansas Highway Patrol and the Kansas Department of Transportation regarding who is responsible for the network's future funding.

Vandalism of road signs costs taxpayers

Public Works officials reported a rash of vandalism involving at least 15 county road signs, including stop signs and directional markers. County Administrator Janelle Dockendorf stated that the signs were either run over, cut off or removed entirely, creating a public safety hazard. The estimated cost to replace each sign is $150, plus labor, resulting in an unbudgeted expense for the department.

Bridge replacement closes 500 Avenue for months

Work has begun on the replacement of a bridge at 500 Avenue and Rain Road, resulting in a road closure that is expected to last up to 120 days. While the project is underway, County Administrator Janelle Dockendorf reported there is still no update from the Kansas Department of Transportation regarding the status of the 1100 Avenue bridge project.

State delay hinders county property valuation notices

County Appraiser Lisa Berg informed the commission that her office is behind schedule on preparing valuation notices because the state has yet to provide necessary agricultural land values. Berg noted the state has moved the deadline for providing these numbers multiple times, from mid-November to January. The delay complicates the county's ability to mail value notices by the March 1 deadline, as staff requires time to process the data once received.

Senator discusses education funding and property tax relief

State Senator Scott Hill provided a legislative update to the commission, highlighting the state's reliance on property taxes to fund education. Hill noted that while capping appraisal values is popular among taxpayers, the state must address how it funds schools, suggesting a potential shift toward sales tax to alleviate the burden on property owners. He also criticized the use of state incentives for the Kansas City Chiefs and Panasonic, arguing that the state should focus on lowering the overall tax burden to attract business rather than offering specific corporate handouts.

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