Abilene local news summary

Commission Narrowly Passes 2026 Budget After Heated Debate

Police Chief Warns Against Staffing Cuts, Citing Modern Dangers

$219,330 Wastewater Plant Repair Approved Despite Concerns

Water Report Shows Stable But Strained Wellfields; Conservation Urged

City to Develop New Stormwater Master Plan to Address Drainage Issues

Airport Hangar Replacement Project Moves Forward

Abilene Garners National Acclaim in Newsweek Rankings

EMS Reports 9% Increase in Call Volume, Passes State Inspection

Commission Narrowly Passes 2026 Budget After Heated Debate

ABILENE - The City Commission approved the 2026 annual budget in a contentious 3-2 vote on Monday night, implementing a 1.889 mill levy increase. The decision followed extensive discussion from the public, city department heads, and commissioners themselves. The approved budget represents a 57% reduction in expenditures compared to 2025 after cuts to capital improvement and special projects, according to Interim City Manager Jon Quinday. Commissioners Meysenberg, Miller, and Witt voted in favor, citing the need to maintain city services and keep Abilene a desirable place to live. Mayor Brandon Rein and Commissioner Kollhoff dissented, with Kollhoff arguing for greater efficiency and a lack of objective data to justify current staffing levels. The tax increase will amount to approximately $21 per year for a $100,000 home.

Police Chief Warns Against Staffing Cuts, Citing Modern Dangers

ABILENE - In a direct appeal to the commission during the budget hearing, Police Chief Wilkins argued passionately against reducing his department's staffing levels. Wilkins stated that the proposed cuts would revert the force to staffing levels of the 1990s, which he called unreasonable given the modern challenges officers now face. He highlighted the increase in complex investigations involving internet scams targeting the elderly, social media exploitation of children, and the recent surge in fentanyl-related deaths—duties his predecessors 30 years ago rarely encountered. The chief warned that reducing officer numbers would lead to burnout, fatigue, and ultimately a lower level of service and safety for Abilene citizens.

$219,330 Wastewater Plant Repair Approved

ABILENE - A bid for $219,330 from NF Construction was approved in a 4-1 vote to mitigate settlement and cracking issues at the wastewater treatment plant. Public Works Director Brad Anderson explained the nine-week project is engineered to stabilize the building's foundation and internal structures. The vote was not unanimous, as Commissioner Kollhoff expressed significant reservations. After touring the facility, Kollhoff questioned whether the expensive fix was targeting the correct issue, suggesting the problem might be cosmetic and that the critical, deep-set effluent pipe was likely not at risk. Despite his concerns that the city could be "spending $220,000 to solve the wrong issue," the motion to approve the bid carried.

Water Report Shows Stable But Strained Wellfields; Conservation Urged

ABILENE - Public Works Director Brad Anderson and Water Treatment Plant Superintendent Jay Leusman presented a report on the city’s wellfields, describing them as "stable" but still recovering from years of drought. Recent rainfall has helped, but officials recommended continued water conservation by residents. The report sparked a discussion about the city’s water conservation plan, which includes three tiers: watch, warning, and emergency. Interim City Manager Quinday noted that one customer had used over a million gallons of water for irrigation in a single month. Commissioners requested that future reports include more easily understandable data, such as total gallons pumped from each well, to better track water usage and well health.

City to Develop New Stormwater Master Plan to Address Drainage Issues

ABILENE - The commission gave staff the go-ahead to develop a comprehensive, updated Stormwater Master Plan. Interim City Manager Quinday proposed the initiative as a way to systematically address the town's various drainage issues, rather than tackling them on a "piecemeal basis" as they arise. The current plan dates back to 1998, with a minor update in 2010. The new plan will identify and prioritize projects based on criteria such as public safety and potential property damage, creating a structured approach for seeking grants and allocating city resources to the areas of greatest need.

Airport Hangar Replacement Project Moves Forward

ABILENE - During a study session, the commission discussed plans to replace airplane hangars destroyed in a past storm. The project involves amending a grant with the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) and designing options for a six-hangar base project with an alternate for an eight-hangar facility. A key topic of discussion was the financing for the city's portion of the cost, estimated between $170,000 and $290,000. Commissioner Kollhoff suggested that rental rates for the new, modern hangars should be set at a market rate sufficient to cover the debt service, pushing back on the notion that the FAA requires rents to remain near the low rates of the old facilities.

Abilene Garners National Acclaim in 2025 Newsweek Rankings

ABILENE - Tourism Director Julie Roller Weeks shared exciting news that Abilene has received national recognition from Newsweek magazine. The Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum was named the #1 Best Presidential Attraction in the country. Additionally, Abilene's Victorian Inn was ranked third in the nation for Best Historic Bed & Breakfast.

EMS Reports 9% Increase in Call Volume, Passes State Inspection

DICKINSON COUNTY - John Hultgren, Director of EMS and Public Health, reported that emergency call volume has increased 9% over the last year. Despite the rise in calls and ongoing staffing shortages, the department recently passed its annual inspection from the State Board of EMS with "no deficiencies." The director also updated the commission on the progress of the Mobile Integrated Healthcare program, which is in the final stages of policy approval, and reminded commissioners of the high replacement cost for ambulances, now estimated at around $300,000 per vehicle.

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