Lawrence local news summary
Week of December 6 2025
Finkeldei elected mayor in unanimous vote
Courtney selected as vice mayor in split decision
New commissioners sworn in
Commissioners Larsen and Littlejohn bid farewell
Sellers elected to national leadership role
City to revisit Parks and Recreation fees
Major projects set to open in 2026
Industrial parks reach capacity, expansion needed
Commercial building permits double four-year average
Commission deadlocks on new finance policy, resulting in no action
Commissioners debate maximum caps on county reserves
Funding for treatment and recovery center delayed pending external review
Bert Nash reveals revenue shortfalls driving funding request
Staffing reductions implemented at treatment and recovery center
County approves 2026 legislative statement with focus on substance regulation
Finkeldei elected mayor in unanimous vote
LAWRENCE, Kan. - The Lawrence City Commission unanimously elected Brad Finkeldei as the new mayor of Lawrence. Nominated by newly sworn-in Commissioner Mike Courtney, Finkeldei takes over the gavel from outgoing Mayor Bart Littlejohn. This marks Finkeldei’s return to the mayoral seat, having served in the position previously. In his acceptance speech, he outlined an optimistic vision for 2026, citing robust economic growth and major infrastructure projects on the horizon.
Courtney selected as vice mayor in split decision
LAWRENCE, Kan. – Commissioners voted 4-1 to elect newly seated Commissioner Mike Courtney as vice mayor. Commissioner Kristine Polian joined the majority in supporting Courtney, while Commissioner Amber Sellers nominated herself. The vote saw Mayor Brad Finkeldei, Commissioner Mike Dever, Polian, and Courtney supporting Courtney’s appointment. Sellers cast the lone vote for herself.
New commissioners sworn in
LAWRENCE, Kan. – Two new commissioners were officially sworn in, Kristine Polian and Mike Courtney, following their victories in the recent election. After taking the oath of office to support the U.S. and Kansas constitutions, they joined the dais to participate in the reorganization of the commission leadership. Their arrival signals a shift in the body’s composition as they replace outgoing commissioners Lisa Larsen and Bart Littlejohn.
Commissioners Larsen and Littlejohn bid farewell
LAWRENCE, Kan. - The commission recognized outgoing Commissioners Lisa Larsen and Bart Littlejohn for their service to the city. Larsen, who served on the commission for a decade, thanked the community and staff for their support during her tenure. Littlejohn, who served as mayor for the past year, highlighted the difficulties of balancing competing needs during his term but expressed pride in the commission’s work on affordable housing and sustainable growth.
Sellers elected to national leadership role
LAWRENCE, Kan. - Commissioner Amber Sellers announced she has been elected as the first vice president of the National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials. She shared the news following her recent attendance at the City Summit in Salt Lake City. Sellers noted that the summit provided opportunities to study creative revenue funding and public-private partnerships, which she intends to share with city staff.
City to revisit Parks and Recreation fees
LAWRENCE, Kan. - Vice Mayor Mike Courtney requested that the commission revisit the Parks and Recreation budget, specifically regarding recreation center fees. Courtney asked to add a discussion item to the agenda based on a proposal he previously circulated to staff and commissioners. The commission agreed to schedule the discussion for the Dec. 16 meeting as a regular agenda item, potentially leading to a vote on adjusting the fee structure.
Major projects set to open in 2026
LAWRENCE, Kan. - The city is preparing for the completion of two major economic drivers in 2026: the new convention center and the arrival of Costco at the Mercato project. Mayor Brad Finkeldei described these as potentially the “two largest single drivers of sales tax in this community in the past 50 years.” Additionally, he noted that the Mercato development has approximately 12 remaining lots that are drawing significant interest, alongside continued progress on the South Lawrence Trafficway.
Industrial parks reach capacity, expansion needed
LAWRENCE, Kan. - Mayor Brad Finkeldei announced that the city’s primary industrial areas, East Hills and Venture Park, are nearly full due to expansions by companies like US Engineering and various long-time tenants. He noted that the city will need to look at establishing new industrial parks in the coming years to accommodate continued growth. This comes as the University of Kansas Innovation Park breaks ground on a fourth building, further cementing the need for economic development space.
Commercial building permits double four-year average
LAWRENCE, Kan. - During his opening remarks, Mayor Brad Finkeldei reported that the value of commercial and industrial building permits in 2025 reached $234 million, more than double the four-year average of $93 million. While residential permit values were slightly down—projected to end the year at $52 million compared to a $63 million average—the surge in commercial and multifamily projects brought the total permit valuation to $346 million for the year. Finkeldei attributed the growth to the new development code and infrastructure investments.
Commission deadlocks on new finance policy, resulting in no action
LAWRENCE, Kan. - The Douglas County Commission failed to adopt a revised finance policy regarding fund balances after two separate motions failed in split 3-2 votes. Staff presented a policy establishing a minimum target of 20 percent to 25 percent for operating reserves to align with Government Finance Officers Association standards. Commissioner Shannon Reid moved to approve the policy as presented, supported by Commission Chair Patrick Kelly, but opposed by Commissioners Gene Dorsey, Karen Willey and Erica Anderson. Conversely, a motion by Dorsey to defer the item until February failed, with Kelly, Reid and Willey opposed. The stalemate leaves the county without the updated policy guidelines for the time being.
Commissioners debate maximum caps on county reserves
LAWRENCE, Kan. - During the discussion on finance policy, a sharp policy disagreement emerged regarding whether the county should cap the amount of money held in reserve. Commissioner Gene Dorsey argued that the policy should include a maximum cap, contending that excess funds should be returned to taxpayers to lower the mill levy rather than sitting in county accounts. County Administrator Sarah Plinsky and staff argued that the proposed policy sets a minimum "safety net" for financial stability and that excess funds are typically used for one-time capital projects or to pay down debt, rather than ongoing operating expenses.
Funding for treatment and recovery center delayed pending external review
LAWRENCE, Kan. - The commission voted unanimously to delay action on a supplemental funding request for the Treatment and Recovery Center managed by Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center. The delay is contingent upon the execution of a memorandum of agreement for an external financial and operational review, the completion of a site visit and the receipt of a preliminary report. Commissioners expressed frustration that the external review, discussed during summer budget hearings, had not yet begun, asserting that the review is a necessary prerequisite before releasing additional taxpayer funds.
Bert Nash reveals revenue shortfalls driving funding request
LAWRENCE, Kan. - Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center Interim CEO Kristin Watkins and finance staff presented data explaining the need for a roughly $1 million supplemental budget increase for the Treatment and Recovery Center in 2026. The center’s financial strain stems largely from incorrect initial assumptions regarding payer mix; while original projections estimated Medicaid revenue would cover significantly more costs, actual data shows Medicaid clients comprise only 26 percent of the recovery center's volume. Consequently, the center is unable to utilize its certified community behavioral health clinic reimbursement rate to cover uninsured and underinsured patients to the extent originally planned.
Staffing reductions implemented at treatment and recovery center
LAWRENCE, Kan. - As part of the financial presentation regarding the Treatment and Recovery Center, Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center Finance Director Danny Edwards confirmed that the 2026 budget proposal includes a reduction in full-time equivalent staff compared to 2025. The staffing levels for the 2026 proposal have been reverted closer to 2024 levels, resulting in a decrease in projected personnel costs from roughly $7.3 million in the 2025 budget to $6.7 million for 2026. The reduction aims to align expenses with the center’s actual utilization and revenue realities.
County approves 2026 legislative statement with focus on substance regulation
LAWRENCE, Kan. - Commissioners unanimously approved the 2026 legislative statement, which outlines the county’s priorities for the Kansas Legislature. During the discussion, commissioners highlighted the need to monitor and potentially regulate the sale of Delta-8 THC and kratom, as well as the presence of illegal gambling machines in local convenience stores. The statement serves as a guide for the county’s lobbying efforts in Topeka, covering issues from tax lids to utility costs.
Found a mistake? Have a news tip or feedback to share? Contact our newsroom using the button below:
citizen journal offers three flagship products: a daily national news summary, a daily Kansas news summary, and local news and school board summaries from 15 cities across Kansas. Each issue contains 5 paragraph-length stories that are made to be read in 5 minutes. Use the links in the header to navigate to national, kansas, and local coverage. Subscribe to each, some, or all to get an email when new issues are published for FREE!
