Salina local news summary

City Approves $452K Contract for Smoky Hill River Debris Removal

City Adopts 2026 Budget with Lower Tax Rate, Higher Fees

County Commissioners Slash Budget Proposal, Keep Tax Rate Flat

Non-Profits to Address Public Amid County Funding Cuts

Saline County Expo and Weed Departments Report on Summer Activities

City Approves $452K Contract for Smoky Hill River Debris Removal

SALINA - Following massive log jams created by summer storms, the Salina City Commission approved an agreement with Diehl Enterprises, Inc. for debris removal from the Smoky Hill River in Bill Burke Park. The contract is for an amount not to exceed $452,351 and is structured to cover four weeks of work by a six-person crew. Officials noted the project’s complexity, acknowledging that the initial contract is based on removing the first of three debris piles and that all bidders submitted open-ended proposals due to the unknown scope of what lies beneath the surface. The work is scheduled to take place between September 8th and October 6th, with the park remaining largely accessible to the public during the cleanup.

City Adopts 2026 Budget with Lower Tax Rate, Higher Fees

SALINA - The Salina City Commission formally adopted its 2026 budget, a plan totaling nearly $156 million in expenditures. The budget was passed using a revenue-neutral rate of 28.568 mills, which is a reduction from the current rate of 29.417 mills. Despite the lower mill levy, residents will see increased costs in other areas. The commission also approved a new comprehensive fee schedule, which includes a 7.6% increase for monthly sanitation services, bringing the cost to $21.25, and a 5% increase for water and wastewater consumption rates. The budget process, which began in April, was described as one of the smoothest in recent memory, focusing on employee pay increases while holding the line on most other operational costs.

County Commissioners Slash Budget Proposal, Keep Tax Rate Flat

SALINE COUNTY - The Saline County Commission approved a series of reductions to its proposed 2026 budget, cutting $976,357 from the initial recommendation. These cuts will result in a final mill levy of 40.167, only slightly above the current rate of 40.112. For the owner of a $200,000 home, the impact is estimated to be an additional $1.26 per year. The reductions were achieved through various measures, including decreased spending on road rock, eliminating tuition reimbursement for employees, and reducing membership dues for the Chamber of Commerce. Following public feedback, commissioners did restore $10,000 in funding each for Salina Grace, the Salina Area United Way’s childcare initiatives, and a tire disposal program.

Non-Profits to Address Public Amid County Funding Cuts

SALINA - A coalition of local non-profit organizations will present to the public at an upcoming Granny Brigade meeting on Tuesday, August 19th, at the Carver Center. The announcement, made at both the City and County Commission meetings, comes as Saline County finalized its 2026 budget, which included restoring some, but not all, requested funds for outside agencies. Representatives from Salina Shares, Birthright, the Salina Senior Center, and Salina Grace/Rescue Mission are scheduled to speak about the services they provide and the community support they need. The forum will give citizens a chance to learn more about the organizations directly impacted by local government funding decisions.

Saline County Expo and Weed Departments Report on Summer Activities

SALINE COUNTY - David Flaherty II, Livestock and Expo Director, provided the Saline County Commission with a seasonal update, reporting that the Expo Center hosted 67 event days between June and August, including the Tri-Rivers Fair. On the staffing front, the Expo Center has filled its last vacant position, and the Weed Department also recently hired a new applicator. The Weed Department has been actively spraying Johnson grass and handling noxious weed complaints, while also preparing for state inspections in the fall. Bids for leasing the county farm grounds are currently being accepted and will be opened on August 18th.

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