Commission approves sanitary sewer monitoring equipment

City authorizes plumbing improvements for wastewater plant

City plans study session for road projects and wastewater plant failure

Officials direct staff to explore year-round hockey program at local arena

Record-breaking tourism spending reported in Ford County

Dodge City receives distinguished budget presentation award

Successful Law Day highlights local community partnerships

1. Commission approves sanitary sewer monitoring equipment

DODGE CITY, Kan. — The Dodge City Commission unanimously approved a $94,105.83 quote from a sewer-monitoring vendor for sanitary sewer flow monitoring equipment during its Monday meeting. Director of Engineering Services Ray Slattery said the equipment, which retrofits onto existing manholes to calculate the depth of flow via laser, will help the city measure accurate capacities and plan for future system expansions. Data collection will initially target 12 locations, with a focus on assessing capacity for western development along West Comanche Street.

2. City authorizes plumbing improvements for wastewater plant

DODGE CITY, Kan. — Commissioners voted 5-0 to approve a $109,607 quote from a contractor for plumbing improvements necessary for the installation of a new direct-fired thermal oxidizer at the South Wastewater Treatment Plant. Director of Engineering Services Ray Slattery said the quote covers pipework, connections, valves and a bypass to the facility's candlestick flare to prevent an immediate shutdown during an upset scenario. With this approval, the project's remaining budget stands at $344,912, pending final programming and electrical costs.

3. City plans study session for road projects and wastewater plant failure

DODGE CITY, Kan. — The city commission will hold a study session prior to its next meeting to discuss major road projects and provide updates on the city's water and wastewater master plan. The session will focus heavily on seeking commission guidance regarding engineering efforts following a recent mechanical failure at a city wastewater plant.

4. Officials direct staff to explore year-round hockey program at local arena

DODGE CITY, Kan. — Following an extended presentation by representatives from the Amarillo Ice Ranch and the Amarillo Hockey Association, the city commission directed city staff to evaluate a proposal to bring a year-round hockey program and anchor tenant team to the United Wireless Arena. Austin Sutter, who is affiliated with the Amarillo Hockey Association and the Amarillo Ice Ranch, pitched a grassroots development model that would increase local economic impact and provide consistent programming from August to May. Staff will review the proposal and collaborate with venue management to determine its operational and financial feasibility.

5. Record-breaking tourism spending reported in Ford County

DODGE CITY, Kan. — Megan Welsh, director of the Dodge City Convention and Visitors Bureau, reported that visitors spent $187 million in Ford County in 2024, marking an 8.6 percent increase over the previous year and outpacing the state's overall tourism growth of 2 percent. In conjunction with the city commission's proclamation of May 3–9 as National Travel and Tourism Week, Welsh said local tourism supports 1,750 jobs and generates $17.4 million in state and local taxes, with the largest expenditures in recreation, food and beverage.

6. Dodge City receives distinguished budget presentation award

DODGE CITY, Kan. — The city of Dodge City has been awarded the Government Finance Officers Association Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the second consecutive year. City staff announced the achievement to the city commission, thanking municipal finance employees for their work in preparing, formatting and submitting the award-winning financial documents.

7. Successful Law Day highlights local community partnerships

DODGE CITY, Kan. — A recent Law Day event for local middle school students was deemed a success, with city staff reporting strong collaboration among multiple municipal departments. Officials credited the Dodge City Police Department, fire department, parks department, Dodge City Convention and Visitors Bureau and Main Street Dodge City for their contributions, specifically thanking Interim Police Chief Jerad Goertzen, City Manager Nick Hernandez and Fire Chief Ken Spencer for donating their time to the educational initiative.

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