Ark City local news summary

Commissioners approve $487,000 in pay raises following wage study

City creates community development division

Unexpected $600,000 cost revealed for levee accreditation

Water treatment project comes in under budget

FY 2025 budget adjustment approved following public hearing

Administrator updates board on emergency tower ownership

Extension service reports loss of federal SNAP education funding

County offers poultry processing equipment for public checkout

Foundation pledges continued support for 4-H tech

Commissioners approve $487,000 in pay raises following wage study

ARKANSAS CITY, Kan. — The Arkansas City commission voted unanimously Tuesday to adopt a new compensation structure and fund nearly half a million dollars in pay adjustments for city employees. The changes follow a comprehensive wage study conducted by The Arnold Group, a consulting firm. Phil Hayes, representing the firm, presented findings showing that 31 employees were paid below the minimum scale for their positions, while 82 employees faced pay compression or alignment issues.

The new pay scale takes effect Dec. 27 and includes a 6.4 percent overall base wage increase. While the total cost is approximately $487,000, Finance Director Jennifer Waggoner said the actual impact on the current budget is roughly $260,000, as funds had already been allocated in anticipation of the changes. Hayes said the new system includes provisions for annual maintenance, recommending small cost-of-living adjustments combined with step increases for performance to prevent future wage stagnation.

City creates community development division

ARKANSAS CITY, Kan. — The commission voted to reorganize the Neighborhood Services division into a new Community Development division, effective late December. The resolution authorizes the creation of a community development director position and transfers the municipal project manager role into the new division. City Manager Randy Frazer said the restructuring will place a heavier focus on long-term planning, future growth and streamlining development projects under one umbrella.

Unexpected $600,000 cost revealed for levee accreditation

ARKANSAS CITY, Kan. — City Manager Randy Frazer informed the commission Tuesday of a significant unbudgeted expense for the city's levee accreditation project. A recent meeting with engineers revealed that the next phase of the project, involving geotechnical drilling and subsurface investigations, will cost approximately $600,000. Frazer said the city faces a limited timeline to complete the accreditation to maintain flood insurance standards for residents. The cost will need to be phased in over several years through the stormwater fund.

Water treatment project comes in under budget

ARKANSAS CITY, Kan. — The water treatment plant's green sand filter project will cost less than anticipated, City Manager Randy Frazer reported Tuesday. The low bid was awarded to Hungerford & Terry. Frazer said the bid price ensures that grant funding will fully cover the cost of the upgrades.

FY 2025 budget adjustment approved following public hearing

COWLEY COUNTY, Kan. - Commissioners held a public hearing regarding adjustments to the fiscal 2025 budget. No citizens appeared to speak for or against the measure. Following the close of the hearing, the commission voted unanimously to approve the budget amendments as presented by county staff.

Administrator updates board on emergency tower ownership

COWLEY COUNTY, Kan. - County Administrator Lucas Goff reported receiving communication from a regional telecommunications provider regarding the ownership of a communications tower near Tisdale. The tower currently serves as a central node for the county’s emergency service communications. Goff indicated he would review the situation with the county's radio vendor and may bring a proposal back to the commission to potentially invest in or acquire the tower to secure the infrastructure.

Extension service reports loss of federal SNAP education funding

COWLEY COUNTY, Kan. - During a quarterly update, extension staff informed commissioners that the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) education program, or SNAP-Ed, funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) farm bill, was cut at the end of September. As a result, the county’s SNAP educator, a SNAP‑Ed educator, has transitioned to a position with the local school district. While SNAP remains intact for recipients, the specific funding for nutrition education has ended, forcing the extension office to retool its approach to family nutrition education.

County offers poultry processing equipment for public checkout

COWLEY COUNTY, Kan. - 4-H Youth Development Agent Sarah LaGrone announced the launch of a new program allowing residents to check out a full poultry processing kit. Funded by a donation from a local charitable foundation, the kit includes a plucker, scalder, propane tank and processing tools. LaGrone noted that Cowley County is likely the only extension office in Kansas offering this service, which allows families to process meat birds efficiently at home.

Foundation pledges continued support for 4-H tech

COWLEY COUNTY, Kan. — The Bill House Foundation has committed to continuing its financial support of the local 4-H program through 2025 and 2026. The foundation, recognized as a "Friend of 4-H," has provided $50,000 annually for the past four years. These funds have allowed the purchase of advanced agricultural simulators, including beef and swine reproductive systems, which are used to teach artificial insemination and birthing techniques to youth members.

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