Junction City local news summary

Commission rejects immediate funding for homeless shelter due to budget concerns

City manager announces no water rate increase for 2026

Credit card fee policy saves city over $400,000

Vice mayor demands accountability from economic development director

Commission approves rezoning for new residential development

Grant Avenue cleanup resolution passes with amendments

Commission rejects immediate funding for homeless shelter due to budget concerns

JUNCTION CITY, Kan. - Following a lengthy and contentious debate regarding the unhoused population in freezing temperatures, the city commission rejected a motion to immediately donate $10,000 to a local nonprofit that provides motel vouchers for unhoused residents for short-term motel vouchers. One commissioner proposed the funding, noting that a local shelter that is not yet operating at full capacity could not meet all current needs. However, Finance Director Jamel Wilcox advised that he could not immediately identify a legal funding source within the budget during the meeting and other commissioners argued that a comprehensive plan was necessary before dispensing funds. The motion was defeated, with the commission directing staff to develop a structured plan for future consideration.

City manager announces no water rate increase for 2026

JUNCTION CITY, Kan. - The city manager announced that there will be no water rate increase for the 2026 fiscal year, eliminating the need for an annual resolution to adjust costs. While a rate study conducted in conjunction with a regional partner utility initially suggested a potential decrease in rates, the city is currently renegotiating long-standing contracts before locking in any reductions. Officials indicated that the goal remains to lower water rates in the future once the legal and contractual framework is updated.

Credit card fee policy saves city over $400,000

JUNCTION CITY, Kan. - Finance Director Jamel Wilcox reported significant savings following the city’s decision to stop absorbing credit card processing fees. Wilcox noted that the city was previously paying an average of $115,000 per month in transaction fees, putting the city on track to spend nearly $1 million annually. By switching payment processors and passing transaction fees to card users—while maintaining fee-free options for cash, check and auto-pay—the city has reduced its cost to approximately $4,900 in recent months.

Vice mayor demands accountability from economic development director

JUNCTION CITY, Kan. - Vice Mayor Al Gordon expressed frustration regarding the lack of communication from the Economic Development Council (EDC), citing a contract requirement for quarterly updates that has not been met. Gordon noted that the EDC director has appeared before the commission only once this year, leading to concerns about transparency. The vice mayor requested that the EDC director appear at the next meeting to provide a full update on community growth initiatives.

Commission approves rezoning for new residential development

JUNCTION CITY, Kan. - Commissioners unanimously approved Ordinance S-3316, rezoning the property at 901 W. 11th St. from a mobile home park district to a multiple family residential district. The community development director reported that a local developer purchased the former mobile home park across from the 12th Street Community Center and intends to clear the land to construct duplexes or single-family homes. The planning commission had previously voted unanimously to recommend the change to facilitate the cleanup and development of the site.

Grant Avenue cleanup resolution passes with amendments

JUNCTION CITY, Kan. - The commission approved Resolution R-3123 to address blight along Grant Avenue, adopting a strategy of cooperation over enforcement. The mayor noted that recent conversations with property owners have already led to voluntary improvements, including new siding on a donut shop and the painting of commercial buildings. The resolution aims to encourage further beautification and cleanup efforts from business owners in the corridor without immediately resorting to heavy-handed city intervention.

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