Salina local news summary

Salina to hire in-house city attorney, shifting from longtime contract model

Commissioner defends city’s tax rates, touts financial prudence

City approves $1.2 million for Smoky Hill River logjam cleanup

Downtown river project may gain STAR bond funding

Report: Local arts and culture events drive over $11 million in spending

Rolling Hills Zoo to break ground on new 'Tiger Falls' habitat

Final phase of Pestinger Family Stadium set to begin

Residents raise concerns over potential loss of Sunset Park ballfields

Community corrections faces $292,000 state funding cut

Salina to hire in-house city attorney, shifting from longtime contract model

SALINA, Kan. - The city of Salina will transition to an in-house city attorney after the commission unanimously approved ordinances to create the new staff position. The move comes as Greg Bengtson, who has served as the city's contracted attorney through the firm Clark, Mize & Linville since 1986, prepares to step back from the role. City Manager Jacob Wood explained that the change aligns Salina with most peer cities and will involve creating a classified position with a salary range of $122,000 to $195,000. The city will continue to contract with the law firm for specialized legal services.

Commissioner defends city’s tax rates, touts financial prudence

SALINA, Kan. - Commissioner Bill Longbine delivered a prepared defense of the city's financial management during Monday’s meeting, stating Salina’s property tax mill levy is lower than most of its peer cities in Kansas. Addressing what he called public concerns about residents being “overtaxed,” Longbine presented data showing Saline County’s overall mill levy is lower than 90 of the state’s 105 counties. He cited the city’s healthy reserve fund, prudent financial decisions during the COVID-19 pandemic and strategic use of transient guest tax dollars as evidence of responsible stewardship that has kept the city’s tax burden competitive.

City approves $1.2 million for Smoky Hill River logjam cleanup

SALINA, Kan. - The Salina City Commission on Monday approved amending an agreement for the removal of a massive logjam in the Smoky Hill River, increasing the project's cost from its original $411,231 to a not-to-exceed amount of $1,212,169. Utilities Director Martha Tasker explained that multiple heavy rain events since the initial bid have significantly expanded the logjam and compacted the debris, requiring the construction of an access road within the river channel to complete the removal. City officials noted the project is considered an emergency and are hopeful for partial reimbursement through federal and state disaster relief funds. The vote was unanimous.

Downtown river project may gain STAR bond funding

SALINA, Kan. - Salina’s downtown river renewal project could be added to the city’s successful Sales Tax and Revenue, or STAR, Bond district, a move that would capture state sales tax revenue to help fund construction. City Manager Jacob Wood announced he has received a positive indication from the Kansas Department of Commerce to add the river project to the district. With the original STAR bond projects on track to be paid off years early, Wood said the district could generate an additional $12 million to $20 million in tax increment before its 2039 expiration, which could now be used to offset river project costs.

Report: Local arts and culture events drive over $11 million in spending

SALINA, Kan. - Salina’s arts and culture organizations generate over $11 million in local spending annually from attendees, separate from the cost of tickets, according to a combined impact report presented to the city commission. The figure was part of a “State of the Arts” update from Salina Arts & Humanities and partner organizations. The data, compiled using a methodology from the national Americans for the Arts organization, highlights the significant economic impact of out-of-county visitors and local residents who spend money at restaurants, hotels and retail businesses while attending cultural events.

Rolling Hills Zoo to break ground on new 'Tiger Falls' habitat

SALINA, Kan. - Rolling Hills Zoo is moving forward with a major expansion, announcing plans to break ground on Tiger Falls, a state-of-the-art habitat designed to house up to seven tigers. Linda Henderson, the zoo’s director of development and marketing, shared the news during a report to the city commission Monday. The new exhibit is a key feature of the zoo’s next chapter and is expected to be a significant regional draw. Henderson stated that 66.5 percent of the zoo’s over 80,000 annual guests come from outside Saline County, making it a major driver for local tourism.

Final phase of Pestinger Family Stadium set to begin

SALINA, Kan. - The Salina City Commission approved a second amendment to its agreement with Salina Baseball Enterprises, clearing the way for the construction of a new grandstand and press box at Pestinger Family Stadium. The final phase is supported by a donation of approximately $200,000 facilitated by Sacred Heart Jr/Sr High School. In exchange for the contribution, Sacred Heart’s baseball team will be included in the scheduling priority for the field and receive a reduced rental fee. The project is scheduled for completion by the spring 2026 baseball season.

Residents raise concerns over potential loss of Sunset Park ballfields

SALINA, Kan. - A group of citizens voiced concerns during the public forum that a proposed Boys & Girls Club of Salina facility at Sunset Park would eliminate the last free-to-use public baseball and softball fields in Salina. Representatives of the Mexican-American Baseball League told commissioners the three fields at the park are heavily used for practices and games by youth and adult leagues that cannot afford to reserve turf fields at other city facilities. The city recently held a public input meeting to discuss potential locations for a new Boys & Girls Club, with one of two primary options being the Sunset Park site. The commission took no action but heard the concerns.

Community corrections faces $292,000 state funding cut

SALINE COUNTY, Kan. - The Saline County Community Corrections department is projected to lose approximately $292,000 in state funding over the next three years due to a new formula from the Kansas Department of Corrections, the department director reported Tuesday. The funding changes, set to begin in July 2026, are based on a new statewide allocation model. The director said that while the agency does not dispute having a formula, the significant reduction would be “devastating” and force difficult decisions about client services.

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