Abilene local news summary

League hired to lead city manager search

Debate opens on allocation of excess bond proceeds

Commission adopts prioritized stormwater plan, elevates Buckeye project

Pool repairs approved in split vote

Citizen to receive life-saving award

County explores options for solid waste hauling amid rising costs

County sees $17.6 million in new construction, indicating strong growth

Commission approves county-wide LED lighting upgrade

Central Kansas Mental Health board seeks new county representative

League hired to lead city manager search

ABILENE, Kan. - The city commission unanimously approved an agreement with the League of Kansas Municipalities to conduct the executive search for a permanent city manager. The agreement includes a timeline for the recruitment process and a questionnaire for the governing body to outline their priorities for the role. The commission also discussed the formation of a selection committee, which is expected to include the governing body, commissioners-elect and up to three community stakeholders.

Debate opens on allocation of excess bond proceeds

ABILENE, Kan. - City officials discussed potential uses for surplus funds from a $10.3 million general obligation temporary note issued for the industrial park, Buckeye Avenue and recreation projects. The interim city manager explained that grant funding and project cost savings could leave the city with approximately $2 million in excess proceeds, which cannot be used to redeem notes until March 2027. Commissioners debated whether to eventually use the funds to pay down debt or reallocate them to deferred maintenance projects, such as road repairs and bridge overlays, and requested a prioritized list of deferred needs for future consideration.

Commission adopts prioritized stormwater plan, elevates Buckeye project

ABILENE, Kan. - The city commission unanimously approved a prioritized stormwater drainage project list Monday, designating the estimated $20 million Southeast Drainage Project as the city’s top priority. The public works director presented the list, noting that the ranking was based on severity, public safety and infrastructure impact. Following discussion regarding economic impact and traffic volume, one commissioner successfully amended the motion to move the "Second and Buckeye" drainage project up to the third position on the priority list.

Pool repairs approved in split vote

ABILENE, Kan. - Commissioners voted 4-1 to approve a bid from Wildcat Painting for $38,950 to perform painting and crack repairs at the Abilene Swimming Pool. The parks and recreation director urged approval to ensure the work is completed before the May opening, noting the low bid was significantly under other offers. One commissioner cast the lone dissenting vote, stating he wished to table the item until the next meeting to allow for public feedback and vendor vetting, as it was the item's first appearance on the agenda.

Citizen to receive life-saving award

ABILENE, Kan. – Police Chief Jason Wilkins announced that the department will present a Citizen Life Saving Award to a resident who performed the Heimlich maneuver on a choking 10-year-old child at a bus stop. Wilkins said that without the citizen’s quick intervention, the outcome could have been tragic. The recognition is scheduled to take place Tuesday morning at the police department.

County explores options for solid waste hauling amid rising costs

DICKINSON COUNTY, Kan. — Dickinson County is re-evaluating its solid waste management strategy as its contract with its current hauler nears its 2027 renewal date, commissioners learned during a study session. Officials are exploring several options, including hauling the county’s trash internally, partnering with a neighboring county or contracting with a new provider like Waste Management. The discussion was prompted by rising costs, which currently include a $69.25 per-ton fee plus a monthly fuel surcharge of up to $3,500, totaling approximately $700,000 annually. A key challenge to the county taking over the operation is a shortage of certified drivers with commercial driver's licenses and other necessary manpower. A cost-benefit analysis will be conducted after the first of the year to determine the most fiscally responsible path forward.

County sees $17.6 million in new construction, indicating strong growth

DICKINSON COUNTY, Kan. — New construction in Dickinson County surged over the past year, with the total appraised value of new projects increasing from $5.4 million to $17.6 million, according to the 2025 Abstract of Appraised and Assessed Values report presented to the commission. The report highlighted the addition of 30 new homes valued at $8.4 million, as well as two new apartment complexes. In total, 112 new living units were added to the tax rolls for 2025, up from 84 in the previous year. Commissioners received the report as positive news, expressing hope that the significant investment in residential and commercial properties will correlate with an increase in the county’s population in the next census.

Commission approves county-wide LED lighting upgrade

DICKINSON COUNTY, Kan. — The commission on Monday approved a proposal to upgrade lighting fixtures to energy-efficient LEDs in several county-owned buildings, including Sterl Hall, the Road and Bridge department and the Health and Emergency Medical Services facilities. The total project cost is $52,828, but after a $16,281 incentive from Evergy, the county’s final cost will be $36,548. The upgrade is projected to save the county approximately $6,000 annually in energy costs, resulting in a return on investment in about six years. A portion of the project’s cost for Sterl Hall will be covered by a dedicated sales tax fund established for the building’s maintenance.

Central Kansas Mental Health board seeks new county representative

DICKINSON COUNTY, Kan. — An opening will soon be available for a Dickinson County resident to serve on the Central Kansas Mental Health Center board of directors, Commissioner Lynn Peterson announced. The vacancy is due to a longtime county representative on the mental health center’s board terming out of the position. The regional board, which includes representatives from several surrounding counties, typically meets 10 months out of the year on Monday afternoons in Salina. Interested residents are encouraged to contact the County Commission for more information.

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