Rezoning approved for new townhome development

City denied state grant for moderate income housing

City applies for grant to construct highway overpasses

City buys land on Spruce Street to address flooding

Commissioners approve out-of-state firm for golf course project in split vote

Fire truck financing approved despite budget overage

Unbudgeted generator purchased for temporary police facility

Municipal court reports revenue increase, compares stats to region

Commissioners finalize $87.5 million bond issuance for law enforcement center

Sales tax revenue remains consistent

County amends zoning regulations to create special use permits

Funds authorized for Northwest Industrial Road improvements

Rezoning approved for new townhome development

GARDEN CITY, Kan. - Garden City commissioners approved an ordinance rezoning property at 1503 Stonebridge Lane from single-family residential to a condominium/townhouse district, allowing Lost River Development LLC to split existing lots for new townhomes or attached units. The measure, initially recommended for denial by the planning commission in December, was approved Tuesday after the planning commission amended its recommendation to approval on Feb. 9 following a city commission request to reconsider specific criteria.

City denied state grant for moderate income housing

GARDEN CITY, Kan. - Deputy City Manager Danielle Burke informed commissioners that the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation did not select the city's application for a 2025 Moderate Income Housing grant. The city had supported a proposal by a private development firm to construct approximately 40 units of one- and two-bedroom housing, but despite the denial, commissioners encouraged staff to continue pursuing funding opportunities to address the community's housing shortage.

City applies for grant to construct highway overpasses

GARDEN CITY, Kan. - The governing body authorized Mayor Tom Nguyen to sign a funding commitment letter for a 2026 federal Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant application to construct grade-separated crossings. The proposed project includes potential overpasses or underpasses at U.S. Highway 83/50 near Spruce Street and north of Mary Street, connecting Garden City High School with the nearby The Refinery Fieldhouse athletic complex. The grant would cover 100 percent of the estimated $1.725 million in pre-construction costs, though the city must commit to funding any potential cost overruns for the project aimed at improving pedestrian safety.

City buys land on Spruce Street to address flooding

GARDEN CITY, Kan. - Commissioners approved the purchase of 1.79 acres of land at 3111 E. Spruce St. from a local investment group for $25,439 as part of a 2019 settlement agreement. The acquisition will be used for storm water retention to alleviate flooding issues in a nearby residential area, with the unbudgeted expense covered by the drainage fund.

Commissioners approve out-of-state firm for golf course project in split vote

GARDEN CITY, Kan. - In a 3-2 decision Tuesday, the commission voted to hire Rivers Barden Architects to design a new clubhouse and restrooms for Buffalo Dunes Golf Course, favoring the firm's golf course architecture expertise over local bidders. Commissioners Deb Oyler and Karen Canales-Lozano voted against the motion, citing resident feedback urging support for Garden City businesses, though the chosen firm scored higher in the evaluation process despite a higher estimated fee.

Fire truck financing approved despite budget overage

GARDEN CITY, Kan. - Commissioners approved a 10-year lease-purchase agreement with Banc of America Public Capital Corp to finance a new 2026 Pierce Enforcer pumper truck for the fire department for approximately $1.08 million. The annual payments of $119,397 are roughly $9,300 over the budgeted amount, requiring the fire department to adjust its 2026 budget to absorb the additional cost before the truck's expected delivery in June 2026.

Unbudgeted generator purchased for temporary police facility

GARDEN CITY, Kan. - The commission authorized the $97,500 purchase of a stationary Caterpillar emergency generator for the temporary police and sheriff facility at 1210 Fleming St., utilizing cash from the water and wastewater fund. Staff described the purchase as critical for maintaining emergency response capabilities during power outages, noting the generator will be repurposed for a city water well once the temporary facility is no longer needed.

Municipal court reports revenue increase, compares stats to region

GARDEN CITY, Kan. - Court Coordinator Cynthia Beltran presented the 2025 municipal court report, highlighting a $73,000 revenue increase driven largely by diversion programs and speeding ticket amendments. The report included a statistical comparison with peer cities, which Police Chief Courtney Prewitt attributed to variations in reporting methods and enforcement philosophies, noting Garden City's focus on education and warnings over financial penalties.

Commissioners finalize $87.5 million bond issuance for law enforcement center

GARDEN CITY, Kan. - The Finney County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution Tuesday authorizing the issuance of $87.5 million in general obligation sales tax bonds to fund the renovation and expansion of the Law Enforcement Center and jail. Stifel Public Finance Director Bret Shogren reported the bonds received a strong response in the marketplace, resulting in a true interest cost of 4.08 percent. The sale generated a premium of nearly $5 million to be set aside as a project contingency fund, with an additional $3.3 million expected in reinvestment interest. The debt will be serviced by a 0.5 percent countywide sales tax approved by voters in November 2025.

Sales tax revenue remains consistent

GARDEN CITY, Kan. - Finney County Treasurer Trista Joyce presented the 2025 Sales Tax Revenue Report, indicating collections have remained consistent following a spike in 2022. The report covered four active countywide sales taxes, including the operating tax, infrastructure tax, road maintenance tax and the joint interlocal tax with Garden City. Joyce noted the newly approved 0.5 percent sales tax for the jail project will begin collection in April 2026.

County amends zoning regulations to create special use permits

GARDEN CITY, Kan. - Commissioners voted unanimously to amend the Finney County zoning regulations, establishing "Article 36" to manage special use permits for unique land uses, including commercial renewable energy projects. The board voted to override the Finney County Planning Commission's recommendation to incorporate technical language changes advised by County Counselor Kara Schartz, specifically clarifying the role of the governing body. The new regulations allow for a protest petition period through Feb. 23, 2026, and aim to provide the commission with final decision-making authority on land uses with broad countywide impacts.

Funds authorized for Northwest Industrial Road improvements

GARDEN CITY, Kan. - The board authorized the use of up to $425,000 from the Economic Development Incentives Fund to cover the county's share of the Northwest Industrial Road improvement project. The project, which aims to extend infrastructure and access to industrial land, has a total estimated cost of $2.5 million, supported by a $2 million grant awarded in 2024. The authorized funds come from an account jointly held by Finney County and Garden City, and the expenditure aligns with a similar approval made by the Garden City Commission in May 2025.

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