Abilene – Week of June 15 2025
Abilene Primary Election; Interim Manager Search; Airport Hangars; Downtown Bond Approved; Industrial Park Contract
Field of 10 Candidates Forces Primary Election for Abilene City Commission
Search for Abilene’s Interim City Manager Narrows to Two Candidates
Abilene Moves Forward on Rebuilding Airport Hangars with State and Federal Funds
Abilene City Commission Approves Contentious Downtown Bond in Split Vote
No-Bid Industrial Park Contract Sparks Debate, Passes 4-1
1. Field of 10 Candidates Forces Primary Election for Abilene City Commission
Voters in Abilene will head to the polls for a primary election on August 5, 2025, after 10 candidates officially filed to run for the City Commission. Dickinson County Clerk Jennifer Gaytan announced the primary was necessary due to the large number of filers. The candidates who will appear on the ballot are Rebecca Perkins, Alan M. Baier, John Kollhoff, Cy Taylor, Connie Covington, Alyssa Boss, Bruce L. Johnson, Debbie Lytle, Ray Miller, and Wendy Miller. Voter registration for the primary will close on July 15, with advance voting set to begin on July 16.
2. Search for Abilene’s Interim City Manager Narrows to Two Candidates
The Abilene City Commission’s search for an interim city manager has been narrowed to two potential candidates, John Deardoff of the League of Kansas Municipalities reported. The candidates are Michael Webb, who retired from municipal government in Edwardsville, and Jon Quinday, who runs a consulting firm and previously worked in Russell. Both candidates come with potential scheduling challenges; Webb would not be able to start until early August, while Quinday indicated he would likely be available for only three to three-and-a-half days per week. Commissioners plan to contact each candidate individually before holding a special meeting to make a decision.
3. Abilene Moves Forward on Rebuilding Airport Hangars with State and Federal Funds
The City of Abilene is advancing plans to rebuild the T-hangars at the Abilene Municipal Airport that were destroyed in a previous windstorm. During a study session, the City Commission reviewed concepts for the project, with the Airport Advisory Board recommending the construction of an eight-place hangar with a fully paved approach to maximize utility. The project will be funded through a combination of insurance money, a Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) grant, and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) funds. With the preferred eight-hangar option, the final out-of-pocket cost to the city is estimated to be over $160,000 after all funding sources are applied. The commission will vote at a future meeting on which design option to formally approve.
4. Abilene City Commission Approves Contentious Downtown Bond in Split Vote
The Abilene City Commission approved a resolution authorizing funds for a multi-year capital improvement plan in a 4-1 vote, following a sharp rebuke from the lone dissenting commissioner. The resolution provides funding for several projects, including resurfacing Buckeye Avenue and significant underground infrastructure work for five downtown blocks. Commissioner Kollhoff strongly opposed the measure, arguing the downtown portion represents “a million dollars for 5 blocks for stuff that we don’t know we need.” He described the spending as saddling each of the city’s 3,000 households with a $3,000 burden for “questionable underground work” and called the process “broken.” In response, other commissioners reiterated their belief that it is “very intelligent” to fix underground storm-water drainage and sidewalks while the road is already torn up for resurfacing.
5. No-Bid Industrial Park Contract Sparks Debate, Passes 4-1
The Abilene City Commission approved a master agreement work order with Olsson for engineering services for the Industrial Park project for $338,850, but not before a debate over the bidding process and the city’s budget authority. Commissioner Kollhoff voted against the measure, stating his opposition was because the work “did not go out for bid.” His objection, along with his concern that “we’re spending money we don’t have,” prompted a lengthy discussion on the legality of the expenditure. City Attorney Martin explained that while the city is subject to cash-basis laws, a non-appropriation clause in the master agreement with Olsson would allow the city to terminate the contract in a future year if funds are not budgeted. Staff confirmed that payments on the engineering work are not expected until after bond proceeds for the project are received later in the year.
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Sources
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rF2kSCqjZSI
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xlh9-v_p7es
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xlh9-v_p7es
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xlh9-v_p7es
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xlh9-v_p7es
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Contact: greg@loql.ai
