Garden City local news summary

Garden City Appoints 22-Year-Old Tom Nguyen as Youngest Mayor In City History

Commission authorizes $5.5 million for law enforcement center

Hidden Trail Brewing granted mobile food vendor status

Commission tables Highway 83 safety project over cost concerns

Speed limit lowered on Boots Road following safety study

Board adopts first legislative agenda, rejects healthcare rate proposal

Garden City Appoints 22-Year-Old Tom Nguyen as Youngest Mayor In City History

Garden City has appointed Tom Nguyen, 22, as its new mayor following the reorganization of the city commission after the recent election cycle. During commissioner reports at the first regular session of the newly seated commission, Nguyen was formally recognized as both the youngest mayor in the city's history and its first Asian American mayor, while Vice Mayor Deborah Oyler and Commissioner Karen Canales Lozano were also welcomed by the body. Nguyen, who has served on the city commission since 2023, said he is ready to implement ambitious goals including building 4,000 new homes by 2030 and progressing the second phase of the star district with new baseball and softball fields to reshape sports for future generations. The mayor pledged to keep the city commission community-centered and engaged with schools and the younger generation, and while Garden City mayoral terms last only one year, Nguyen could be reelected if the commission chooses.

Commission authorizes $5.5 million for law enforcement center

GARDEN CITY, Kan. - The Garden City Commission unanimously approved an ordinance authorizing the issuance of temporary notes to finance improvements for the shared Law Enforcement Center at 1210 Fleming St. The total project cost is approximately $5.5 million, which includes renovation costs and security upgrades. Deputy City Manager Danielle Burke explained that the capital costs will be split evenly between the city and Finney County, with long-term financing to be covered by the sales tax initiative scheduled to begin collection in April 2026.

Hidden Trail Brewing granted mobile food vendor status

GARDEN CITY, Kan. - Hidden Trail Brewing received unanimous approval to be categorized as a mobile food vendor under the city's itinerant merchant license. The license allows the business at 2010 E. Schulman Ave. to host rotating food trucks on its property Thursday through Sunday without each individual truck requiring a separate long-term license, provided only one operates at a time. Commissioners praised the business model for its creativity and popularity within the community.

Commission tables Highway 83 safety project over cost concerns

FINNEY COUNTY, Kan. - The Finney County Board of Commissioners voted to table an agreement with the Kansas Department of Transportation regarding safety improvements on Old Highway 83. The proposed "High-Risk Rural Road" project would have included rumble strips, wider shoulders and signage, with the county responsible for approximately $121,000 of the cost. Commissioners argued that the road was recently paved and currently in good condition, with one commissioner stating he preferred to save the funds. Despite staff citing a recent accident involving a cyclist as justification for the safety upgrades, the initial motion to approve the agreement failed for lack of a second and a subsequent motion to deny the agreement also failed. The board eventually voted to table the item until the next meeting to review specific accident data.

Speed limit lowered on Boots Road following safety study

FINNEY COUNTY, Kan. - Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution to establish a 40 mph speed limit on Boots Road between West Mary Street and Jones Avenue. The decision followed complaints from residents and a traffic study that recorded vehicles traveling as fast as 71 mph on the gravel road, which previously had a statutory unposted limit of 55 mph. Interim Road and Bridge Coordinator Larry Brungardt noted that increased commercial traffic and new shops in the area made the lower speed necessary for safety.

Board adopts first legislative agenda, rejects healthcare rate proposal

FINNEY COUNTY, Kan. - For the first time, Finney County adopted a formal legislative agenda to guide advocacy efforts at the state and federal levels. During discussion, one commissioner proposed an amendment that would seek legislation requiring healthcare providers to bill tax-funded employee healthcare plans at Medicare rates, similar to current statutes regarding prisoner medical care. The commissioner argued this could significantly reduce the county's mill levy. However, other commissioners and staff warned that such a move was complex and could negatively impact the financial stability of rural hospitals or lead providers to reject county insurance. The board ultimately adopted the legislative agenda as originally presented, agreeing to study the healthcare proposal separately.

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