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

Commission approves $1.34 million microsurfacing contract

County to remove unsafe bridge on 1100 Avenue

Rock shortage concerns loom ahead of township meeting

Kansas Supreme Court to convene in Abilene

Property value notices to be mailed late February

County alpha testing AI chatbot for website

Commission sets criteria for city manager search

ABILENE, Kan. - 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

ABILENE, Kan. - 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

ABILENE, Kan. - 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

ABILENE, Kan. - 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

ABILENE, Kan. - 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

ABILENE, Kan. - 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

ABILENE, Kan. - 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.

Commission approves $1.34 million microsurfacing contract

ABILENE, Kan. - The Dickinson County Commission approved a $1.34 million contract with Vance Brothers for road maintenance. Road and Bridge Supervisor Martin Tannahill recommended shifting from chip sealing to microsurfacing for 22 miles of county roads, citing the superior durability of the product. The project will include a test plot on NW 3rd Street near the golf course to evaluate whether the material can smooth out the aging surface.

County to remove unsafe bridge on 1100 Avenue

ABILENE, Kan. - Crews began demolition of the structurally deficient Turkey Creek bridge on 1100 Avenue this week, a move expected to net the county $170,000 in state funds. Road and Bridge Supervisor Martin Tannahill reported that removing the bridge, located between Union and Jeep Road, allows the county to remove the structure from its inspection list and receive a credit from the Kansas Department of Transportation. The crossing will be permanently closed, the banks lined with concrete and the roadway marked as a dead end.

Rock shortage concerns loom ahead of township meeting

ABILENE, Kan. - Public Works officials expressed concern regarding the availability and quality of rock for road maintenance, noting a potential shortage of "hard chat" rock from quarries in Oklahoma and southeast Kansas. Road and Bridge Supervisor Martin Tannahill stated that high demand from state projects is straining supply. The issue is expected to be a topic of discussion at the Annual Township Meeting scheduled for March 30, where local trustees will meet with vendors and county officials.

Kansas Supreme Court to convene in Abilene

ABILENE, Kan. - The Kansas Supreme Court will hold a special session at the Eisenhower Presidential Library in Abilene on March 10. District Court Clerk Cindy MacDonald announced that the justices will hear cases starting at 6:30 p.m., followed by a public ceremony. Justices also plan to visit local schools and lunch with area attorneys during their visit, marking a rare opportunity for residents to observe the state's highest court in person.

Property value notices to be mailed late February

ABILENE, Kan. - County Appraiser Lisa Berg announced that valuation notices for the 2026 tax year will be mailed to property owners on Feb. 27. Berg indicated that the county expects to see a slight overall increase in valuations compared to the previous year. Residents with questions regarding their valuations should contact the appraiser's office directly once notices are received.

County alpha testing AI chatbot for website

ABILENE, Kan. - Dickinson County is currently testing a government-focused artificial intelligence chatbot to assist residents in navigating the county website. IT Director Dustin Parks reported that the system creates a secure environment that does not retain user data but can answer questions regarding taxes, permits and department contacts. The tool is expected to launch publicly within the next three to four months.

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