Salina – Week of June 29 2025

City to Embark on $775,000 Police Department Renovation

Final Agreement Signed for $1.6 Million Downtown Shade Structure

City Approves Cheaper, Higher-Risk Insurance Plan to Avoid Budget Shortfall

County Punts on Schilling Road Dust Decision Amid Resident Complaints

City Manager Search Narrows with 34 Applicants

citizen journal is looking for a local editor in Salina!

1. City to Embark on $775,000 Police Department Renovation

SALINA - The Salina City Commission authorized a multi-year, $775,000 project to extensively renovate and reorganize the Salina Police Department building. The plan aims to address long-standing issues of inefficiency and overcrowding in a facility described as a “maze.” A key first step involves relocating the evidence storage from cramped former jail cells to the basement of the Municipal Court, which will free up significant space. The project will be managed primarily by the city’s in-house facilities department to save what would likely be millions of dollars if contracted out. The renovations will create a new report-writing room, an expanded briefing room, a multipurpose training area, and quiet rooms for officers, addressing what staff estimates to be about 70 % of the department’s current space needs.

2. Final Agreement Signed for $1.6 Million Downtown Shade Structure

SALINA - A major downtown revitalization project is moving forward after the Salina City Commission authorized the mayor to sign a second supplemental agreement to the Downtown Master Development Agreement. This formally allows for the construction and funding of a large shade structure at the intersection of Ash and Santa Fe. The project, with an estimated cost of $1.6 million, will be funded by reallocating money from the new-business TIF fund. The agreement also provides $383,000 for improvements to the nearby Temple parking lot. The move finalizes the city’s commitment to the project, allowing the developer, Salina 2020, to begin the construction process.

3. City Approves Cheaper, Higher-Risk Insurance Plan to Avoid Budget Shortfall

SALINA - Facing a significant increase in property-and-casualty insurance premiums, the Salina City Commission opted for a less expensive plan that carries a lower coverage limit. The commission approved a combined package from Travelers and Chubb for $966,554, which came in under the city’s $1 million budget. This choice avoided a potential $142,000 draw from the general fund that the alternative, a more comprehensive plan from Travelers alone, would have required. However, the approved Chubb property plan caps total coverage at $100 million, a stark contrast to the $243 million offered by Travelers. While staff noted a catastrophic event exceeding $100 million would likely be a regional disaster, the decision represents a calculated financial risk to save approximately $176,000 in annual premiums.

4. County Punts on Schilling Road Dust Decision Amid Resident Complaints

SALINE COUNTY - The Saline County Commission deferred action on the severe dust problem plaguing a half-mile stretch of Schilling Road, instead directing staff to begin talks with the City of Salina about a potential partnership. Following a detailed historical overview by the County Engineer, which noted traffic counts as high as 362 vehicles per day, commissioners and residents debated the county’s responsibility. Alternatives presented ranged from an annual $6,260 magnesium-chloride treatment to a permanent asphalt road estimated at $750,000. Residents of the new Stone Lake and Ryan additions argued for a solution, citing property taxes paid, while some commissioners noted that the county-wide policy is to not provide dust control and that developers had removed a natural tree buffer that previously helped mitigate the issue. The decision to “take no action” beyond initiating talks with the city leaves the problem unresolved for now.

5. City Manager Search Narrows with 34 Applicants

SALINA - The search for Salina’s next City Manager is advancing, as the city’s consultant has received 34 applications for the position. Following an update from the Human Resources department, the commission scheduled a special meeting for Wednesday, July 2, at 4 p.m. to discuss the applicants. The consultant will present a proposed list of semifinalists to the commission, who will then weigh in on the candidates during an executive session.

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Sources

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEvauXw0O9I
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEvauXw0O9I
3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEvauXw0O9I
4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0oT7xuqdhQ
5. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEvauXw0O9I

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