Dodge City Commission Summary
Week of July 7, 2026
City approves $38,500 design agreement for water tower rehabilitations
Commission authorizes $727,900 for waterline improvements and pressure zone design
Commissioners call for diversifying city engineering contractors
City enters tolling agreement regarding wastewater treatment facility incident
City considers $1.99 million splash pad project for Thurow Park
City funds $105,223 sidewalk construction along Comanche Street
Commission approves development agreement for Western Kansas Motorsports Museum
City approves $98,256 installation of gas analyzer at Warrior Biogas Facility
City approves $38,500 design agreement for water tower rehabilitations
DODGE CITY, Kan. — The city approved a $38,500 agreement with Professional Engineering Consultants to prepare design and bid packages for the rehabilitation of Dodge City Water Towers 1 and 2. Tower 2, which has not been painted since the early 1990s, will receive a new coat of paint, while Tower 1 requires more extensive structural maintenance, lead paint abatement and safety improvements. The city commission also briefly debated potential logos for the towers, with commissioners stating the structures should exclusively feature city logos rather than local high school or community college branding. Both towers will be bid separately, with construction extending into 2027.
Commission authorizes $727,900 for waterline improvements and pressure zone design
DODGE CITY, Kan. — To address residential growth and industrial water demands, the Dodge City Commission unanimously approved a $727,900 agreement with Professional Engineering Consultants for pressure zone modifications and waterline improvements. The project will bring two existing wells into the north pressure zone and establish a secondary waterline to provide a continuous supply to the industrial park, the town of Wright and the Koch Nitrogen plant. The redundant line will also help alleviate pressure drops caused by major fires or heavy construction draws.
Commissioners call for diversifying city engineering contractors
DODGE CITY, Kan. — During the discussion of the $727,900 waterline improvement contract with Professional Engineering Consultants, city commissioners urged city staff to explore alternative engineering firms for future projects. Commissioners cited ongoing issues and potential financial impacts regarding a recent incident at the city's south wastewater treatment plant, which was designed by the firm. While the city commission ultimately approved the waterline contract because the firm currently holds the city's water model, staff acknowledged that other design consultants could handle future work if the city secures access to its modeling data.
City enters tolling agreement regarding wastewater treatment facility incident
DODGE CITY, Kan. — The Dodge City Commission unanimously approved a tolling agreement with Professional Engineering Consultants regarding a July 2024 incident at the city's south wastewater treatment facility. The agreement pauses any applicable statutes of limitations to allow both parties 60 days to review documentation and determine responsibility for the damages before potentially proceeding to mediation. City Attorney Paige Gilmore noted that while the city does not believe any statute of limitations is currently at risk of expiring, outside legal counsel recommended the agreement out of an abundance of caution as the city works toward a resolution.
City considers $1.99 million splash pad project for Thurow Park
DODGE CITY, Kan. — The Dodge City Commission held a public hearing on Monday, July 6, on a Community Development Block Grant application to help fund a proposed $1.99 million splash pad project in Thurow Park. The city is requesting approximately $1.33 million in grant funding and will provide a 33 percent local match of $659,818, funded through the water and sewer and capital improvement funds. The project, aimed at serving low- to moderate-income households on the city's growing east side, includes a 1,300-square-foot splash pad, a 1,000-square-foot playground, a stream area and restrooms. The city commission is expected to vote on final resolutions for the project on Aug. 3.
City funds $105,223 sidewalk construction along Comanche Street
DODGE CITY, Kan. — The Dodge City Commission unanimously approved a $105,223 quote from Building Solutions LLC to construct a new sidewalk segment along Comanche Street from Avenue C to Avenue A. The sidewalk will serve as a direct bypass for the Gunsmoke Trail extension, which routes north through Chilton Park. Because the Kansas Department of Transportation grant funding the trail requires a 10-foot width that cannot fit in the street's right-of-way, the city will use special streets funds to pay for the narrower sidewalk bypass to ensure pedestrian safety and fill a gap in the local trail system.
Commission approves development agreement for Western Kansas Motorsports Museum
DODGE CITY, Kan. — The Dodge City Commission unanimously approved a development agreement with the Western Kansas Motorsports Museum as part of the Expanded Heritage District STAR Bond project plan. The museum, located at 520 W. Trail St., is slated to receive up to $3 million in STAR bond proceeds — phased in amounts of $2.25 million and $750,000 — contingent upon the successful issuance of the bonds. The 501(c)(3) organization must secure an additional $1.25 million in private donations to complete the project, which will fund extensive interior interactive exhibits aimed at making the museum a tourism destination by 2028.
City approves $98,256 installation of gas analyzer at Warrior Biogas Facility
DODGE CITY, Kan. — The Dodge City Commission approved a $98,256 proposal from a contractor to install and integrate a renewable natural gas analyzer cabinet at the Warrior Biogas Facility. The city previously purchased the $324,000 equipment to comply with updated biomethane guidelines from Northern Natural Gas, the pipeline interconnect where the city injects and sells its gas. The installation, funded through the biogas fund, will allow the city to run its own analysis on the finished product and maintain compliance with the pipeline's strict standards.
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