Commission amends 2025 budget following public hearing

City transfers $650,000 for water infrastructure

Sales tax funds to roll over $5 million

Over $93,000 in delinquent accounts reclassified

Utility delinquency rates remain low

Three new commissioners seated, shift in board dynamics

Helm elected chairman, Stanton named vice chair

Commission institutes regular work sessions, plans budget review

Board approves $222,000 workers' compensation contract

Commission amends 2025 budget following public hearing

LIBERAL, Kan. - The Liberal City Commission voted 4-0 to adopt Ordinance 4642, which amends the fiscal year 2025 budget. The vote followed a public hearing where Chief Financial Officer Brian Mannel testified that three specific funds required adjustments based on the city's activity throughout the year. No members of the public offered testimony during the hearing, and the amendments were passed without debate.

City transfers $650,000 for water infrastructure

LIBERAL, Kan. - A significant portion of the approved transfers included a $650,000 allocation for water infrastructure projects. City Manager Scarlett Diseker noted this transfer fulfills a cash dedication commitment made by the city for two consecutive years in conjunction with a Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) loan to fund essential water system upgrades.

Sales tax funds to roll over $5 million

LIBERAL, Kan. - During a review of year-end transfers, City Manager Scarlett Diseker reported that the city intends to roll over approximately $5 million across all five 1-cent sales tax funds into the new year. Diseker described the cash balances as "very healthy" and attributed the surplus to responsible growth management.

Over $93,000 in delinquent accounts reclassified

LIBERAL, Kan. - The Liberal City Commission voted 4-0 to reclassify $93,346.71 in accounts receivable and utility account delinquencies that are over 120 days past due. While the debt is being reclassified for accounting purposes, city staff confirmed that collection efforts will continue on these accounts.

Utility delinquency rates remain low

LIBERAL, Kan. - Despite the reclassification of bad debt, staff reported that the total utility sales delinquency reclassification percentage is currently 0.53 percent. The breakdown of the unpaid bills includes $21,632.76 in water delinquencies, $29,356.67 in sewer charges, and $9,886.58 in Solid Waste services, indicating a high collection rate overall for municipal services.

Three new commissioners seated, shift in board dynamics

LIBERAL, Kan. — The Seward County Board of Commissioners welcomed three new members at its regular meeting Monday, Jan. 5, significantly altering the makeup of the five-member body following the recent resignations of Presephoni Fuller, Scott Carr and Tammy Sutherland-Abbott. Clay Louderback, District 2; Jairo Vazquez, District 3; and John Mettlen, District 4, were sworn in to fill the unexpired terms. During the meeting, board leadership noted the change in dynamics and expressed an intention to put the "focus back on the taxpayer."

Helm elected chairman, Stanton named vice chair

LIBERAL, Kan. — In the board's annual reorganization, District 5 Commissioner Steve Helm was unanimously elected as chairman for 2026 following a nomination by District 1 Commissioner Todd Stanton. Helm had previously served as temporary chairman, and the commission subsequently voted 5-0 to appoint Stanton as vice chairman for the upcoming year.

Commission institutes regular work sessions, plans budget review

LIBERAL, Kan. — The commission voted to institute regular work sessions to be held 30 minutes prior to every commission meeting to address complex topics before taking official action. Additionally, the board scheduled a special two-hour work session for Friday, Jan. 9, at 2 p.m. to meet with representatives from the Kansas Policy Institute.

Board approves $222,000 workers' compensation contract

LIBERAL, Kan. — The commission unanimously approved a contract with the Kansas Workers Risk Cooperative for Counties (KWORCC) for workers' compensation coverage with an estimated premium of $222,889. The board authorized Chairman Steve Helm to sign the necessary bylaws and Resolution 2026-03 to finalize the agreement.

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