Liberal City Commission Summary
Week of May 27, 2026
City awards $2 million bid for airport parking expansion
City commission weighs emergency fireworks ban amid drought
Unmapped gas line increases cemetery expansion costs
City manager addresses public concerns over water rates
Police department granted $44,000 for office upgrades
Downtown steering committee prepares for initial meeting
City reminds residents of sidewalk maintenance responsibilities
City awards $2 million bid for airport parking expansion
LIBERAL, Kan. — The Liberal City Commission unanimously approved a $2,058,418 bid from Kansas Dirt to expand the parking lot at the Liberal Mid-America Regional Airport. The project, which came in about $1 million under the engineer's estimate, will expand capacity from 116 to roughly 180 parking spaces to alleviate persistent overflow issues. The city will temporarily front the costs but expects a 95.5% reimbursement through a Federal Aviation Administration grant. The parking expansion marks the first phase of a larger project to eventually construct a new airport terminal building.
City commission weighs emergency fireworks ban amid drought
LIBERAL, Kan. — Citing extreme drought conditions and severely stretched mutual aid resources, Fire Chief Kelly Kirk urged the commission to consider an emergency ban on the sale and discharge of fireworks within city limits this July. The fire chief noted that Liberal and the surrounding counties are entrenched in a D3 extreme drought, creating highly hazardous conditions for residential and wildland fires. While no official action was taken, commissioners directed staff to draft a resolution for a potential ban to be reviewed and voted on at the June 9 meeting, ensuring vendors and residents have advance notice if weather conditions do not drastically improve. A controlled public fireworks display will likely still be permitted.
Unmapped gas line increases cemetery expansion costs
LIBERAL, Kan. — The commission approved an agreement for up to $105,000 to relocate an unmapped gas line discovered during the Liberal Cemetery expansion project. Workers found the active gas line during initial excavation, requiring an immediate reroute by Scout Energy Group around the cemetery property. The unexpected relocation will be funded by the street, drainage and capital improvement portion of the city's 1% sales tax.
City manager addresses public concerns over water rates
LIBERAL, Kan. — Following recent public complaints regarding high municipal water bills, City Manager Scarlette Diseker clarified that Liberal's water rates remain below the state average. Officials noted the city's base rate is $18.09 for the first 3,000 gallons, compared to a state average of $18.84 for just 1,000 gallons. Staff also emphasized that water enterprise funds are strictly used for water infrastructure projects, not for unrelated community amenities like the new water park, and encouraged residents with unexpectedly high bills to visit City Hall for an hourly usage review to check for undiscovered plumbing or sprinkler leaks.
Police department granted $44,000 for office upgrades
LIBERAL, Kan. — To accommodate increased staffing levels, the commission approved a $44,000 purchase of new cubicles and electrical components from Southern Office Supply for the Liberal Police Department's investigation section. Police Chief Chester Pinkston reported the department's staffing shortage has significantly decreased over the last three years, creating a need for additional workspace. The remodel, which includes in-house construction to remove an office wall, will add three new workstations using funds from the crime prevention portion of the 1% sales tax.
Downtown steering committee prepares for initial meeting
LIBERAL, Kan. — As part of ongoing downtown revitalization efforts, city staff announced the newly formed downtown steering committee will hold its first meeting on June 1. The city is currently working with the consulting firm Confluence to review an initial draft of an existing condition report and marketing strategies for the downtown area. The revitalization push aims to improve accessibility, infrastructure and aesthetic appeal in the city's historic commercial core.
City reminds residents of sidewalk maintenance responsibilities
LIBERAL, Kan. — City staff issued a public reminder that homeowners are legally responsible for the maintenance and repair of sidewalks and alleys adjacent to their properties. To assist residents with compliance and improve walkability, the city highlighted its two sidewalk assistance programs, which offer financial help for residents looking to either repair existing damaged concrete or install brand-new sidewalks where none currently exist.
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