Junction City local news summary

Commission approves firefighter union contract after contentious debate

Commission explains large city payments, community center costs

Grant Avenue cleanup resolution tabled in 3-2 vote

Grant Avenue resurfacing project moves forward

Commission reviews $617,000 sewer and water extension plan

City restricts utility vehicle use on public streets

City to seek grants for animal shelter renovation amid rising costs

Commission approves firefighter union contract after contentious debate

JUNCTION CITY, Kan. — The city commission approved a new three-year labor agreement with the Junction City Firefighters Association Local 3309 in a 3-2 vote Tuesday night following a sharp debate over pay equity for city employees. The contract includes a 10 percent salary increase in 2026, followed by 6 percent in 2027 and 5 percent in 2028. A city fire official stated the increases are necessary to remain competitive with neighboring communities and help with retention. One commissioner voted against the measure, arguing the 10 percent raise was unfair to other city staff who received a 6 percent increase. The city manager noted that the police department received a 30 percent increase in their last contract negotiation and that the 2026 budget, previously approved by the commission, covers the first-year costs.

Commission explains large city payments, community center costs

JUNCTION CITY, Kan. — Commissioners pulled two items from the consent agenda for public explanation Tuesday, shedding light on recent city expenditures. One item detailed city appropriations, or bills paid, which totaled several million dollars between Nov. 4 and Nov. 19. A staff member explained the figure was higher than usual due to a multi-million dollar payment to Crossland Heavy Equipment. The second item was a change order for the 12th Street Community Center insulation project. A contractor discovered an unexpected second layer of old insulation not shown on building plans, requiring additional labor and disposal fees to remove.

Grant Avenue cleanup resolution tabled in 3-2 vote

JUNCTION CITY, Kan. — A resolution aimed at encouraging property owners along Grant Avenue to clean up their properties was tabled after commissioners split 3-2 on its enforcement language. The resolution called on the city to take “appropriate, fair, and judicial action” against non-compliant owners. One commissioner, who introduced the resolution, argued the enforcement clause was “heavy-handed” and that the city should first focus on inviting cooperation. However, the city’s community development director defended the clause, stating that many property owners are from out of state and have been unresponsive to previous cleanup requests. The commission voted to table the resolution and have staff remove the enforcement paragraph before bringing it back for future consideration.

Grant Avenue resurfacing project moves forward

JUNCTION CITY, Kan. — A major $1.3 million mill and overlay project for Grant Avenue is scheduled to be put out for bid in January, with work expected to begin in the spring of 2026, the city manager announced during a project update. The city recently completed temporary patchwork on the road’s worst sections, a process some commissioners noted has left the surface rough. The upcoming project will provide a permanent, smooth two-inch asphalt overlay for the entire street. City staff said the current bumpiness will be eliminated by the new surface and that grinding down the temporary patches would be expensive and redundant.

Commission reviews $617,000 sewer and water extension plan

JUNCTION CITY, Kan. — City staff presented a preliminary analysis for a $617,582 project to extend sewer and water services to properties along Old 40 Highway and Oak Ridge Drive. The proposal aims to provide city utilities to areas that were annexed years ago but never serviced. The project is divided into two parts: a $334,000 extension for several properties on Old 40 and a $283,000 extension on Oak Ridge Drive. A commissioner noted a potential conflict of interest regarding a property on Oak Ridge Drive and requested that part of the project be considered separately. The commission took no action but directed staff to place the item on the agenda for the second meeting in December for further discussion and a potential vote.

City restricts utility vehicle use on public streets

JUNCTION CITY, Kan. — Worksite utility vehicles, such as John Deere Gators, will be prohibited from general use on city streets after the commission passed a restrictive ordinance in a 3-2 vote. The approved ordinance, G-1316, carves out specific exemptions, allowing the vehicles to be operated by city employees for official government purposes. They will also be permitted for use during special events, such as parades and festivals, but only within areas where roadways are barricaded or closed to normal traffic. An alternative, less restrictive ordinance that would have permitted wider public use was rejected over concerns it would create a “Pandora’s box” of enforcement and safety issues.

City to seek grants for animal shelter renovation amid rising costs

JUNCTION CITY, Kan. — Plans to upgrade the city’s animal shelter are moving forward, but the project now faces a significant funding shortfall. The initial estimate of $600,000, which the commission approved, has been revised to between $761,000 and $1.2 million. To cover the difference, the city manager reported that staff is working with a grant writer to apply for some of the more than 100 grants available for animal shelters. The city will use the already-approved $600,000 as a local match to strengthen its grant applications. The shelter expansion plans, which include additional space and new cages, are nearly finalized, and the project is expected to go out for bid in December.

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