Hoppock elected mayor, Ivey named vice mayor

New commissioners sworn in; Longbine retires

City hires first in-house legal counsel

Commission to update comprehensive plan

Mayor reports drop in mill levy

City earns record interest income

STAR bonds paid down ahead of schedule

Economic development brings major expansions

Housing boom adds hundreds of units

Fire Station No. 4 nears completion

Commission denies permit for battery storage facility

Board approves agreements with Plus Power despite permit denial

Commission elects new leadership in split vote

Two commissioners announce they will not seek re-election

American Rescue Plan Act funding fully allocated

FEMA declares disaster for July 2025 flooding

Receivership established for Sundowner water system

Hoppock elected mayor, Ivey named vice mayor

The Salina City Commission voted 5-0 Monday to elect Commissioner Michael L. Hoppock as the new mayor and Commissioner Jerry Ivey as vice mayor. Hoppock, who accepted the gavel from outgoing Mayor Greg Lenkiewicz, will serve as chairman of the board of commissioners for the upcoming year.

New commissioners sworn in; Longbine retires

Following the certification of recent election results, the commission reorganized Monday, swearing in three commissioners, including newcomer Doug Rempp and re-elected incumbents Dr. Trent Davis and Greg Lenkiewicz. The meeting marked the end of the term for Commissioner Bill Longbine, who was recognized with a plaque for his four years of service, specifically noting his work on housing and public safety initiatives.

City hires first in-house legal counsel

Marking a shift in administrative structure, the city has hired Patrick Hoffman to serve as its first in-house legal counsel. Hoffman is scheduled to begin full-time employment in February, filling the vacancy left by the retirement of longtime contracted City Attorney Greg Bengtson.

Commission to update comprehensive plan

Mayor Michael L. Hoppock announced that the city will begin the process of updating its comprehensive plan, a guiding document for growth that has not been updated since approximately 2012. The process is expected to involve public meetings, surveys and the potential formation of a committee to gather community input on the city's future direction.

Mayor reports drop in mill levy

In his inaugural remarks, Mayor Michael L. Hoppock announced that the city's mill levy for 2026 has decreased to 28.568, down from 30.348 in 2023. Hoppock noted that despite the lower rate, the city remains revenue neutral and has not requested an increase in property tax revenue since 2024.

City earns record interest income

Due to a strategic change in banking services following a request for proposals, the City of Salina is now earning in excess of $4 million annually in interest on its funds. Mayor Michael L. Hoppock contrasted this figure with previous years where interest earnings were approximately $300,000, crediting the shift for strengthening the city's financial position.

STAR bonds paid down ahead of schedule

The city has paid more than $7.2 million toward the principal of its Sales Tax and Revenue, or STAR, bonds as of the end of 2025, a figure well ahead of the amortization schedule which did not require principal payments until 2030. The accelerated payments will save the city hundreds of thousands of dollars in interest, with potential discussions for a new downtown hotel and parking lot slated for later this year.

Economic development brings major expansions

City officials reported significant industrial growth, including news that Kubota projects adding 300 jobs by 2030 and will begin construction on a new testing facility this year. Additionally, the Kansas Artificial Intelligence Research and Entertainment Studio (K-AIRES) is building a facility on the Kansas State University Salina campus, and SkyWest Airlines has signed a three-year lease for a maintenance facility at Salina Regional Airport.

Housing boom adds hundreds of units

The commission received an update on the city's housing initiatives, highlighting the completion of Phase 1 of the Magnolia Village development, which added 250 apartments to the market. A second phase contributing another 250 units is expected to begin this year, alongside continued progress in the Aeroplanes, Stone Lake and Cedar Ridge subdivisions.

Fire Station No. 4 nears completion

Construction on the new Fire Station No. 4 at Crawford and Markley is expected to be completed in late spring or early summer of 2026. Officials indicated that the city's healthy financial reserves will allow the project to be paid for largely in cash, saving taxpayers significant costs in interest payments.

Commission denies permit for battery storage facility

SALINE COUNTY, Kan. - The Saline County Board of Commissioners voted 4-1 to deny a conditional use permit for a battery energy storage system proposed by Mountain Peak Energy Storage LLC, a project of Houston-based Plus Power. Despite a unanimous recommendation for approval from the Saline County Planning and Zoning Commission, the board cited concerns regarding public safety, fire risks and the preservation of the area's rural character. Commissioner Joe Hay argued the proposed $1.5 million liability insurance was insufficient and noted that the overwhelming majority of residents in the notification area opposed the project. Commissioners Joe Hay, Shadwick, Sparks and Annie Grevas voted to deny the permit; Commissioner James Weese cast the lone dissenting vote.

Board approves agreements with Plus Power despite permit denial

SALINE COUNTY, Kan. - Following the rejection of the conditional use permit, the commission voted 5-0 to approve road maintenance, payment in lieu of taxes and easement agreements with Plus Power. County Administrator Philip Smith-Hanes advised the board to finalize the documents to protect the county's financial interests should the permit denial be overturned in court. The agreements, which include payments totaling approximately $18.5 million over 20 years, are contingent upon the project moving forward and carry no obligation if the facility is never built.

Commission elects new leadership in split vote

SALINE COUNTY, Kan. - The board reorganized its leadership for the year, electing Commissioner Monte Shadwick as chairman, Commissioner Annie Grevas as vice chair and Commissioner Joe Hay as secretary. The motion passed 5-0.

Two commissioners announce they will not seek re-election

SALINE COUNTY, Kan. - During commissioner comments, Commissioners James Weese and Monte Shadwick announced they will not seek re-election when their terms expire later this year. Commissioner Joe Hay has re-filed for reelection. Commissioner Rodger Sparks also announced he filed for re-election the previous day, setting the stage for at least two open seats in the upcoming election.

American Rescue Plan Act funding fully allocated

SALINE COUNTY, Kan. - County Administrator Philip Smith-Hanes reported that the county has successfully completed its American Rescue Plan Act projects. Over the past four years, the county allocated and spent its entire $10.5 million allotment on various community and government initiatives. Approximately $15,000 remains designated for final audits of funding recipients.

FEMA declares disaster for July 2025 flooding

SALINE COUNTY, Kan. - Road and Bridge Administrator Darren Fishell reported that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has officially declared the flooding event from July 17-20, 2025, a federal disaster. The declaration allows Saline County to recoup approximately 85 percent of the $75,000 spent on repairs and debris removal associated with the event.

Receivership established for Sundowner water system

SALINE COUNTY, Kan. - Commissioner Joe Hay provided an update on the Sundowner Improvement District, noting that a 28th Judicial District judge has ruled for a receivership of the water system to address ongoing water quality issues for residents. Hay indicated that more information regarding the timeline for improvements would likely be available in four to six weeks, with public meetings to follow.

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