Salina – Week of May 18, 2025
Smoky Hill River Renewal; Smoky Hill River Property Acquisition; City Greenlights Bonds; School Taps Contract Subs; Battery Factory
Smoky Hill River Renewal Pushes Forward Amidst $69 Million Price Tag and Funding Hurdles
City Approves Property Acquisition Services for River Renewal Project
City Greenlights General Obligation Bonds for Landfill, Schneider Building, Stone Lake Upgrades
School District Taps Kelly Education to Combat Critical Substitute Teacher Shortage; Headstart Enrollment Down
County Explores Revenue Framework for Proposed Battery Storage Facility
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Obituaries
Kansas at War III
Smoky Hill River Renewal Pushes Forward Amidst $69 Million Price Tag and Funding Hurdles
The Smoky Hill River Renewal project dominated a significant portion of the meeting, with city staff and consultants providing a comprehensive update on the multi-phase initiative. The project, with an estimated total cost of around $69 million when factoring in all components and already expended funds, aims to revitalize the 6.8-mile river channel, enhance flood control, create multi-use trails, improve bridges, and increase water quantity and quality.
Funding for the extensive project relies on a combination of local sales tax (approximately $17 million), a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Ecosystem Restoration Project (funded 65% federal, 35% local), and a crucial U.S. Department of Transportation RAISE grant. While the RAISE grant has been approved, securing full funding and navigating the timelines for the Army Corps of Engineers component remains a point of discussion and some uncertainty. Commissioners engaged in substantial debate regarding the project's financial intricacies, particularly the reliance on federal funds and potential city contributions to cover any shortfalls. Construction for the RAISE grant portion is slated to begin in June 2026 and be completed by November 2030. The project also involves significant real property acquisition, a separate but related point of focus during the meeting.
City of Salina
City Approves Property Acquisition Services for River Renewal Project
Salina city commissioners have authorized the interim city manager to execute a $200,340 agreement with HDR Engineering Inc. for real property acquisition services needed for the Smoky Hill River Renewal project. The agreement covers the acquisition of up to 40 properties through a comprehensive process including title work, appraisals, and landowner negotiations scheduled from May 2025 through April 2026, with construction bidding set for June 2026. Officials emphasized that while the acquisition process must comply with federal guidelines due to the project's funding, eminent domain would only be used as a last resort if voluntary agreements cannot be reached through negotiation and mediation. The Kansas eminent domain procedure was described as a court-supervised appraisal process during discussions. Of the $600,000 budgeted for property acquisition within the River Renewal Project, $287,340 has now been allocated for acquisition services, appraisals, and title work.
City of Salina
City Greenlights General Obligation Bonds for Landfill, Schneider Building, Stone Lake Upgrades
In a significant financial move, the City Commission approved a resolution authorizing the public sale of 2025 general obligation bonds. These bonds will provide permanent financing for three key projects: Landfill Sale (approximately $3.5 million over 5 years), the Schneider Building Upgrades Project (approximately $7.5 million over 20 years), and Stone Lake, Phase Three, a special assessment project ($1.6 million over 20 years). City staff assured the commission that the current tax mill levy rate of 7.31 is not expected to change to cover the debt service payments for these new bonds, citing various revenue sources that support debt payments, including current and delinquent property taxes, motor vehicle tax payments, sales tax, and transient guest tax. The commission also authorized an agreement with Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Inc. to provide financial advisor services for the bond issuance. An update on the city-wide energy-efficiency upgrades under a performance contract with Schneider Electric, related to the Schneider Building upgrades, is anticipated next month.
City of Salina
School District Taps Kelly Education to Combat Critical Substitute Teacher Shortage; Headstart Enrollment Down
In a move to combat a persistent substitute teacher shortage, the Salina Public Schools USD 305 Board of Education unanimously approved a proposal to contract with Kelly Education for substitute fulfillment for the 2025-2026 school year. District administration highlighted a current substitute fill rate of only 47% district-wide, with some schools experiencing rates as low as 20%, placing a significant burden on existing staff and students. Kelly Education representatives outlined their recruitment strategies and benefits package, including weekly pay, with the goal of increasing the pool of qualified substitutes. The contract includes a 60-day cancellation clause. Board members expressed optimism and appreciation for the proactive approach to this critical issue.
In the same meeting, the Board approved a Federal Head Start grant application that includes a change in scope, reducing the program's enrollment from 256 to 230 children for the 2025-2026 school year. The Early Head Start enrollment will remain unchanged at 91 children.
SPS USD 305
County Explores Revenue Framework for Proposed Battery Storage Facility
Saline County Commissioners have authorized County Administrator Philip Smith to initiate discussions with, Mountain Peak Energy Storage LLC (Plus Power), developers of a proposed battery energy storage facility regarding potential "payment in lieu of taxes" arrangements after receiving a letter from SE of Saline USD 306's superintendent requesting clarity on financial benefits. The Tuesday meeting saw commissioners debating the timing of such negotiations, with Commissioner Jim Weese arguing financial details should be determined upfront so "everybody knows about it," while Commissioner Bob Vidricksen initially preferred waiting for a formal conditional use permit application. Commissioner Rodger Sparks supported gathering information to benefit planning efforts without committing to any specific agreement, acknowledging public concerns about tax impacts in the southeast county location where traditional property tax structures might not fully apply, potentially affecting revenue for local taxing entities including the school district.
Saline County
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