Abilene local news summary

Search for permanent city manager to begin

Commission divided on airport hangar project scope

City grapples with blocked railroad drain, fears downtown flooding

County moves forward with fleet management overhaul

IT department reports over $40,000 in annual savings

Federal shutdown threatens local WIC funding

Mobile integrated healthcare program nears launch

Search for permanent city manager to begin

ABILENE, Kan. – The process of finding a permanent city manager for Abilene is set to begin. The Abilene City Commission on Monday directed Interim City Manager Jon Quinday to prepare and issue a request for proposals to search firms that specialize in municipal executive recruitment. The commission plans to review the proposals at its first meeting in November. Following the selection of a firm, commissioners, including newly elected members after the November general election, will work to develop a community profile and a list of desired qualifications for the next city leader. Quinday, who is serving in the interim role, noted he has approximately six meetings left in his tenure.

Commission divided on airport hangar project scope

ABILENE, Kan. – In a 3-1 vote, the Abilene City Commission approved a professional services agreement with the firm Olsson to design new T-hangars at the Abilene Municipal Airport, but not without debate over the project’s scale. The approved plan will solicit a base bid for a six-place hangar, with an eight-place hangar included as an alternate bid. Commissioner John Kollhoff voted against the measure, arguing the city should move forward directly with an eight-place design, given that 10 hangars were previously destroyed. Other commissioners supported the alternate bid approach as a way to maintain options depending on construction costs and available grant funding.

City grapples with blocked railroad drain, fears downtown flooding

ABILENE, Kan. – City officials are at a standstill with Union Pacific Railroad over a blocked storm drain that is causing flooding in downtown Abilene. During Monday’s meeting, Public Works Director Brad Anderson reported that a crucial drainpipe under the Buckeye Avenue crossing appears to be clogged with railroad ballast, a problem that began after the railroad performed track work in May. The blockage causes water to back up onto Buckeye and Second Street during moderate rainfall. City staff expressed frustration with the railroad's slow response, noting that while an on-site meeting occurred, Union Pacific has not committed to a timeline or who will bear the cost of repairs. Officials fear that a heavy rain or winter ice could create a significant public safety hazard.

County moves forward with fleet management overhaul

DICKINSON COUNTY, Kan. - The Dickinson County Commission on Thursday authorized staff to finalize an agreement with Enterprise Fleet Management to overhaul the county’s vehicle replacement and management program. The move shifts the county from its current practice of purchasing vehicles and using them for over a decade to an equity lease model. Officials project the new system could save the county an estimated $600,000 to $700,000 over its first 10 years through optimized replacement cycles, reduced maintenance costs on an aging fleet and improved resale values. The agreement, which was discussed at length during a work session, aims to create a more modern and cost-effective fleet.

Federal shutdown threatens local WIC funding

DICKINSON COUNTY, Kan. - The local Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) nutrition program faces a significant disruption if a federal government shutdown occurs, Health Department Director John Hultgren warned commissioners. While a grant will cover the salary for the WIC coordinator, federal funds for food vouchers provided to local families would be cut off during a prolonged lapse. Hultgren noted the program has seen an increase in its caseload recently, partly due to rising food costs and recent program changes in nearby counties, including Geary County.

Mobile integrated healthcare program nears launch

DICKINSON COUNTY, Kan. - Dickinson County’s new Mobile Integrated Healthcare (MIH) program is expected to begin seeing patients as early as next month, EMS Director John Hultgren (who also serves as Public Health Director) announced. After receiving final approval on all policies and protocols from its medical director, the department has met with local physicians to integrate the program with area clinics. The MIH program will use trained paramedics to provide in-home preventative care and follow-up visits for residents with chronic conditions, aiming to reduce emergency room visits and hospital readmissions.

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