Commission approves successive electric rate hikes

Electric department gets new vacuum excavator

Commission rejects sole bid for street paving project

City secures $1.5 million grant for street improvements

Commission approves highway-corridor master plan amendment

Downtown event approved

Commission approves successive electric rate hikes

GARDEN CITY, Kan. - The city commission approved a 5 percent retail electric rate increase effective May 1, 2026, with an additional 5 percent hike planned for Jan. 1, 2027. The increase, which will add roughly $5 to the average residential customer's monthly bill during both rollouts, addresses a $1.5 million revenue shortfall in 2025 and rising wholesale transmission costs. To protect taxpayers from covering future industrial shortfalls, the city also established a fee schedule for large commercial developments that will require them to pay for their projected load capacities, regardless of whether they underuse or exceed their original estimates.

Electric department gets new vacuum excavator

GARDEN CITY, Kan. - The city's electric department will receive a new vacuum excavator after the commission approved a $115,378 bid from an equipment vendor. Staff recommended purchasing the new model instead of spending an estimated $40,000 to rebuild the city's aging 2017 unit, which has logged more than 1,200 working hours and was experiencing scheduling constraints. To cover the cost without raising the total budget, the department reallocated existing equipment funds and reduced other capital expenses.

Commission rejects sole bid for street paving project

GARDEN CITY, Kan. - Citing skyrocketing costs, the commission unanimously rejected a $596,029 bid for the 2026 street mill and overlay project. The sole bid, submitted by Klotz Sand Co. Inc., came in 70 percent higher than the city's $350,000 estimate. Rather than absorb the $245,000 budget overrun, city staff will scale back the scope of the pavement restoration project and defer some roadwork to prioritize streets needing immediate attention before soliciting new bids.

City secures $1.5 million grant for street improvements

GARDEN CITY, Kan. - The city secured a $1.5 million grant from the Kansas Department of Transportation's City Connecting Link Improvement Program for fiscal year 2028. The funds will cover pavement restoration along U.S. Highway 50 Business. The city is required to provide a 15 percent local match, estimated at $265,000, which will be incorporated into the 2027-2028 fiscal year budget to cover preliminary engineering and construction costs.

Commission approves highway-corridor master plan amendment

GARDEN CITY, Kan. - Looking to manage future growth, the commission approved the first amendment to a highway-corridor master plan agreement alongside Finney County and the Kansas Department of Transportation. The updated agreement outlines transportation mobility, access control and new access points east of East Mary Street and North Jennie Barker Road. The Finney County Commission previously approved the measure to accommodate upcoming commercial and residential development along the northeastern K-156 stretch.

Downtown event approved

GARDEN CITY, Kan. - The commission approved a special alcohol and cereal malt beverage permit for a new downtown event scheduled for June 4, 2026, during Beef Empire Days. Organized in partnership with Downtown Vision and the city parks and recreation department, the $50 ticketed event will block off Main Street for a steak dinner and live country music. Attendees older than 21 will be limited to three alcoholic beverages, which will be strictly monitored via a lanyard punch-card system.

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