Junction City – Week of May 26 2025
$4.8M City Improvements; Water Plant Costs; Grant Ave Upgrades; Intersection Safety Study; Tax Relief Report;
Junction City Commission Approves $4.8 M Infrastructure Package Despite Mayor’s Opposition
Water Treatment Plant Faces Over $737,000 in New Costs, Contract Extension
City Eyes Major Federal Grant for Grant Avenue Upgrades; Building Owners May Be Asked to Invest in Facelifts
Safety Concerns Prompt Study of Munson/Rucker/K-18 Intersection
Tax Relief and Financial Prudence Highlighted in Finance Report
1. Junction City Commission Approves $4.8 M Infrastructure Package Despite Mayor’s Opposition
Junction City commissioners approved a substantial $4.837 million package for city-wide improvement projects during Monday night’s meeting, overriding Mayor Pat Landes’s concerns about fiscal restraint. The comprehensive infrastructure plan includes $1.3 million for Grant Avenue asphalt overlay, $300,000 for city-wide patching, $650,000 for animal-shelter upgrades, $200,000 for crack repairs, $180,000 for improvements around the 12th Street Community Center, and $260,000 for pavement preservation. The package grew from City Manager Kim Zimmerman’s initial $3 million proposal after Commissioner Richard Pinaire successfully pushed to add $1.8 million in Westwood Boulevard improvements.
Mayor Landes voiced strong opposition to the expanded spending, arguing commissioners should “slow our roll, watch our money and do some each year, spread things out” rather than approve such a large expenditure at once. He cited concerns about the recently approved EMS contract and other pending financial obligations. However, Zimmerman defended the investment, telling commissioners the city has approximately $43 million in reserves—well above the required $5–6 million—plus an untouched $6 million rollover fund. "Nobody wants to come here because look at these streets,” Zimmerman argued, emphasizing that the projects would be spread over multiple years as contractors become available. Despite the mayor’s dissent, the motion passed, with commissioners also approving a 10 percent contingency fund for the projects.
Junction City
2. Water Treatment Plant Faces Over $737,000 in New Costs, Contract Extension
The ongoing Water Treatment Plant Phase Two improvements will require an additional $625,333 and a contract extension to June 15th, 2026, following the approval of Change Order #9. A significant portion, $571,825, is for replacing deteriorating 24-inch piping in the filter gallery, deemed too thin to repair after attempts to scrape rust punched holes through it. Commissioners expressed frustration with the engineering firm, HDR, questioning why such a critical issue wasn't identified in the initial project scope. "It's a tough pill to swallow for the community," stated Mayor Landes.
Additionally, Amendment #5 for engineering services added $112,591 to HDR's contract to oversee the project to its new completion date. City Manager Kim Zimmerman acknowledged the city is "tied" to HDR for this project but has been pressing them on costs. The new pipe itself has a year-long lead time.
Junction City
3. City Eyes Major Federal Grant for Grant Avenue Upgrades; Building Owners May Be Asked to Invest in Facelifts
The Junction City Economic Development Commission (EDC) updated commissioners on the ongoing efforts to secure a Defense Community Infrastructure Program (DCIP) grant for significant road improvements, primarily targeting Grant Avenue. The EDC has been working with Fort Riley leadership since September 2024 and has garnered letters of support from Senator Marshall, Senator Moran, and Congressman Schmidt - since 3 Jan 2025 the 2nd-District seat (which now includes Junction City) is Rep. Derek Schmidt (R). The grant application, based on successful applications from other communities like Fort Cavazos, TX, is nearly ready, awaiting the official Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) from the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation (OLDCC). The DCIP funding pool for this year is $90 million, down from previous years.
Separately but in the same meeting, Commissioner Richard Pinaire suggested the City Commission develop a resolution to be sent to all building owners on Grant Avenue. The resolution would formally ask property owners to invest in improving the exterior of their structures. Pinaire noted a recent example where a soldier who owns a building on Grant Avenue voluntarily painted its side. City Manager Kim Zimmerman supported the idea, suggesting it could tie in with a city-wide cleanup initiative. Pinaire emphasized that while the city is investing in road repairs, building owners also have a role in revitalizing the area.
Junction City
4. Safety Concerns Prompt Study of Munson/Rucker/K-18 Intersection
Following multiple reports of near misses and six accidents between 2023 and 2025, the Geary County Commission has directed Jeremie Myers, Assistant Public Works Administrator, Geary County, to apply for a Traffic Engineering Assistance Program (TEAP) study through KDOT for the intersection of Munson Road, Rucker Road, and K-18 Highway. The intersection has become a growing concern, particularly with increased traffic from the nearby high school. Commissioners agreed that involving KDOT is crucial, given the state agency's significant right-of-way at the location, to identify potential safety improvements. The study aims to provide expert analysis and recommendations to enhance safety for all motorists, especially students.
Geary County
5. Tax Relief and Financial Prudence Highlighted in Finance Report
Geary County Finance Director Tami Robison presented an analysis demonstrating significant taxpayer savings achieved by not keeping the county's mill levy flat in recent years. Robinson explained that if the 2022 mill rate had remained constant, taxpayers would have faced an additional $5 million in taxes by 2025 due to rising property valuations. Instead, by adjusting the mill levy downwards, the county saved taxpayers approximately $3 million in 2023, $4 million in 2024, and an estimated $5 million in 2025 compared to a flat mill rate scenario. The report also showed that in 2025, the county's actual mill rate was three mills lower than what it had the authority to levy under the Revenue Neutral Rate (RNR) guidelines. While acknowledging that individual tax bills may still rise due to market valuations, Robinson emphasized that, as a whole, the county has worked to reduce the overall tax burden.
Geary County
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Sources
- https://junctioncityks.portal.civicclerk.com
- https://junctioncityks.portal.civicclerk.com
- https://junctioncityks.portal.civicclerk.com
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ao7o1MMOq90 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYaBzlz-8o8https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWaC0aqcsI0
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ao7o1MMOq90 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYaBzlz-8o8https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWaC0aqcsI0
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