2027 budget calendar set as commission quells job cut rumors

Budget software purchase tabled amid cost concerns

Commission approves pay hikes for emergency dispatchers

Police sergeants receive salary increase

Flock Safety camera contract renewed and consolidated

City commits $1.14 million for data center and IT upgrades

County grant writer outlines funding cliff for juvenile program

Commissioner Wood proposes tire cutter purchase to reduce disposal costs

New legislation may restrict local control over utility moratoriums

2027 budget calendar set as commission quells job cut rumors

PITTSBURG, Kan. — The city commission reviewed and accepted the calendar for the 2027 budget process Tuesday, initiating a schedule that will include department-specific workshops in upcoming meetings. During the discussion, City Manager Daron Hall and elected officials addressed rumors regarding potential layoffs following errors discovered in the 2026 budget. Officials stated that while the city must correct its financial course and seek efficiencies, there is no intention to eliminate employee positions to balance the budget.

Budget software purchase tabled amid cost concerns

PITTSBURG, Kan. — The commission voted to table a request to purchase ClearGov budget software, a package estimated to cost approximately $34,500 annually with a $15,000 setup fee. Finance Director Missy Scott recommended the software to prevent the spreadsheet errors that affected the current budget cycle and to improve transparency. However, commissioners questioned the necessity of the purchase without a competitive bid process, noting that the city had already spent nearly $400,000 on a Tyler Technologies financial management system that includes budgeting modules. The item was tabled to allow for a formal bid process and further comparison of available tools.

Commission approves pay hikes for emergency dispatchers

PITTSBURG, Kan. — Following an executive session, the commission voted unanimously to increase compensation for city dispatchers to aid retention and recruitment. The approved motion increases the starting wage for dispatchers to $18 per hour. Additionally, existing dispatchers will receive a wage adjustment of $1.50 per hour.

Police sergeants receive salary increase

PITTSBURG, Kan. — In a measure regarding public safety personnel, commissioners voted to approve a salary increase for police sergeants. After a 15-minute executive session to discuss non-elected personnel, the commission returned to the open meeting and unanimously authorized a 5 percent wage increase for the position.

Flock Safety camera contract renewed and consolidated

PITTSBURG, Kan. — The commission voted unanimously to renew and consolidate its contracts with Flock Safety for automated license plate recognition cameras. The new agreement combines existing contracts into a single billing cycle at a cost of $15,271 for the first year and $13,500 for the second year. Police representatives reported that since February 2024, the system has assisted in recovering 32 stolen vehicles, seizing nine firearms, making 60 arrests and recovering nearly $600,000 in stolen property, including assisting in a recent homicide investigation and an Amber Alert case.

City commits $1.14 million for data center and IT upgrades

PITTSBURG, Kan. — Commissioners authorized a lease-purchase agreement with Clayton Holdings LLC to replace the city's data center, disaster recovery environment and switching infrastructure. The total cost of the project is $1.14 million. The upgrade aims to modernize the city's technology backbone and secure data operations, a project that had been previously discussed and bid out in December and January.

County grant writer outlines funding cliff for juvenile program

CRAWFORD COUNTY, Kan. — Crawford County Grant Writer Gus Brunetti informed the county commission Tuesday that the Restorative Justice Authority faces a funding shortage for its early intervention program after 2026. Brunetti noted the program, which helps juvenile and truant youth avoid incarceration and addiction, must secure new revenue sources before 2027 to survive and said he is meeting biweekly with Director Angie Hadley to identify grant opportunities to sustain the initiative.

Commissioner Wood proposes tire cutter purchase to reduce disposal costs

CRAWFORD COUNTY, Kan. — Commissioner Carl Wood proposed purchasing a tire cutter for approximately $10,000 to reduce the county's solid waste disposal fees, citing roughly $24,000 spent on tire disposal in 2024. Wood argued the machine would allow crews to slice tires for cheaper disposal, potentially recouping the cost within a year by offsetting the fees of roughly $3 per car tire and $11 per semi-truck tire currently paid by the county.

New legislation may restrict local control over utility moratoriums

CRAWFORD COUNTY, Kan. — Commissioners reviewed House Bill 2728, currently in the House Committee on Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications, which would restrict the county's ability to enact moratoriums on energy projects. The bill would require Kansas Corporation Commission approval for any moratorium lasting longer than 30 days and mandates significant paperwork, prompting the board to plan consultations with county lobbyist Bill Brady and County Counselor Jim Emerson regarding the potential loss of local control.

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