Commission approves wastewater loan reduction

Water plant filter project faces cost overruns

State clears way for Water Well 16 operation

Consultants review flood mitigation and levees

Pickleball court construction underway

Work begins on new splash pad

Wilson Park playground enters design phase

Police chief warns against firearms in bars

Commission opposes Evergy line, forgoes moratorium

Public works plans 'aggressive' $2.2 million road program

Speed limit decision tabled after resident complaints

Commission buys four trucks from local dealer

Emergency management vehicle approved

Silverdale Stone granted tax abatement for expansion

Vector Tooling Technologies receives incentives for new facility

Daytime fireworks request prompts policy review

Commission approves wastewater loan reduction

ARKANSAS CITY, Kan. — The Arkansas City Commission voted unanimously to approve an amendment to a loan agreement with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment for the 2021 wastewater treatment plant project, which finished under budget. The amendment decreases the city's total obligation to approximately $9.48 million, a figure that accounts for $1 million in principal forgiveness.

Water plant filter project faces cost overruns

ARKANSAS CITY, Kan. — City Manager Randy Frazer reported that bids for the Greensand Filter Project at the water treatment plant exceeded estimates made two years ago by approximately $728,000. While the city intends to seek additional loan forgiveness to offset the increase, Frazer indicated the city likely will need to finance roughly $700,000 to finalize the installation contract with CAS Constructors.

State clears way for Water Well 16 operation

ARKANSAS CITY, Kan. — The City of Arkansas City received notification from the state permitting the operation of Water Well 16, a $600,000 infrastructure project that had been sidelined pending finalized regulations. The well, previously kept offline while the Kansas Department of Health and Environment established rules regarding per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), will soon contribute to the municipal water supply upon receipt of the hard copy permit.

Consultants review flood mitigation and levees

ARKANSAS CITY, Kan. — City officials and representatives from JEO Consulting Group met Friday to evaluate ongoing flood mitigation strategies, specifically targeting interior stormwater drainage improvements. The study, which is being conducted alongside the city's levee certification process, is currently analyzing potential enhancements to the Mill Canal and C Street Canal to reduce local flooding.

Pickleball court construction underway

ARKANSAS CITY, Kan. — Following the completed demolition of the old tennis courts at Wilson Park, City Manager Randy Frazer announced that the installation of new pickleball court surfaces is scheduled to begin around April 15. The project is expected to require approximately five weeks to complete the transition to the new recreational facility.

Work begins on new splash pad

ARKANSAS CITY, Kan. — Crews from Established Construction, LLC have initiated site preparation and dirt work for the new splash pad at Wilson Park. The project, which saw activity begin last week, is part of a broader slate of recreational capital improvements currently underway within the city.

Wilson Park playground enters design phase

ARKANSAS CITY, Kan. — City staff met with LK Architecture to begin the design and budgeting process for new playground equipment at Wilson Park, aiming to align the project scope with available grant funding. A follow-up meeting is scheduled for later this month to finalize the concept before the city puts the project out for public bid.

Police chief warns against firearms in bars

ARKANSAS CITY, Kan. — Arkansas City Police Chief Jim Holloway issued a reminder during department updates that carrying firearms while consuming alcohol in bars is prohibited by law.

Commission opposes Evergy line, forgoes moratorium

WINFIELD, Kan. — The Cowley County Commission voted unanimously to send a formal letter of opposition to the Kansas Corporation Commission regarding Evergy's proposed Buffalo Flats transmission line but opted against enacting a construction moratorium. County Administrator Lucas Goff reported that County Counselor Mark Krusor advised a moratorium would likely be overturned in court. However, Goff presented new data from Evergy estimating the project could generate approximately $3 million in annual property tax revenue for the county following a statutory 10-year tax exemption period.

Public works plans 'aggressive' $2.2 million road program

WINFIELD, Kan. — Public Works Superintendent Jon Jordan presented an ambitious road maintenance plan for 2026 involving the application of 20,000 tons of asphalt, a significant increase from previous years. The $2.215 million plan targets improvements on 21st Road, 132nd Road and several others, funded through the road maintenance budget and the federal fund exchange program. Commissioners approved the plan, which aims to improve road base quality across the county.

Speed limit decision tabled after resident complaints

WINFIELD, Kan. — Commissioners tabled a decision regarding speed limits and commercial traffic on 256th and 155th Roads until March 3. While a county engineering study suggested lowering the speed limit would have negligible effects on safety, residents alleged that heavy trucks from Hy-Grade Aggregates are damaging roads and endangering families. The board requested further legal review on their authority to set speed limits lower than engineering recommendations and asked for an additional site inspection.

Commission buys four trucks from local dealer

WINFIELD, Kan. — The board approved the purchase of four new pickup trucks for the Road and Bridge Department from Winfield Motor Company for a total not to exceed $163,238. The purchase includes three regular cab trucks and one crew cab model to replace aging fleet vehicles.

Emergency management vehicle approved

WINFIELD, Kan. — Commissioners authorized up to $40,000 for the purchase of a used four-wheel-drive crew cab pickup to serve as a command vehicle for Cowley County Emergency Services. Goff explained that the department's current Ford Explorer lacks the ground clearance necessary for rural response in pastures or oil fields. The new vehicle will carry communications equipment and support on-scene dispatching during large-scale incidents.

Silverdale Stone granted tax abatement for expansion

WINFIELD, Kan. — The commission approved a declining property tax abatement for Silverdale Quality Stone to support an expansion project that retains jobs and adds new positions. The exemption begins at 100 percent in year one and decreases by 10 percent annually until the property becomes fully taxable in year ten.

Vector Tooling Technologies receives incentives for new facility

WINFIELD, Kan. — Vector Tooling Technologies was granted a tax exemption for a newly completed crane building that will facilitate the hiring of five new employees annually. The commission approved a declining abatement structure similar to other recent economic development agreements.

Daytime fireworks request prompts policy review

WINFIELD, Kan. — John and Shelley Gardner, owners of Pumpkin Pants Ranch, requested permission to use daytime fireworks and colored smoke during upcoming Easter egg hunt events. Because current county resolution restricts consumer-grade fireworks primarily to the Independence Day holiday season, commissioners tabled the request until March 3 to allow staff to draft a resolution amendment that would permit fireworks for special events with proper fire chief approval.

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