Wellington local news summary

Council Adopts 2026 Budget on 5-1 Vote

Council Backs Developer for Smith Building Housing Project

Cowley College Seeks Sales Tax Renewal for Campus Expansion

Officials Address Challenges in Park Maintenance

Environmental Use Agreement Finalized for Airport Land

Wellington Airport to Host Fly Kansas Air Tour Kickoff

Council Adopts 2026 Budget on 5-1 Vote

WELLINGTON - The Wellington City Council officially adopted the city's budget for the 2026 fiscal year in a 5-1 vote Tuesday night. The passage of Ordinance 4357 finalizes a months-long process of work sessions and public hearings. The budget sets the city’s spending priorities and tax levies for the upcoming year. Councilwoman Antonich cast the sole dissenting vote. Had the council not approved a budget by October 1st, the county would have set the city's levies at 2025 levels.

Council Backs Developer for Smith Building Housing Project

WELLINGTON - In a move aimed at downtown revitalization, the City Council passed a resolution supporting a proposal by US Federal Properties Co. to develop moderate-income housing at the Smith building. The resolution is a key step in the developer's application to the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation's state housing program. The project aims to rehabilitate the historic downtown building into residential units. The measure passed 5-1, with Councilman Westmoreland voting against it.

Cowley College Seeks Sales Tax Renewal for Campus Expansion

SUMNER COUNTY - Cowley College officials announced they are seeking a renewal of the local sales tax to fund an expansion of the Sumner Campus. The college's CFO reported that the campus is "tapped out on space" due to surging enrollment, which has reached 163 students. Popular programs like welding, EMS, and Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) are at full capacity. The college has already received approval from the county to place the sales tax renewal question on an upcoming ballot.

Officials Address Challenges in Park Maintenance

WELLINGTON - Responding to community concerns about the condition of local parks, particularly Warden Park and Century Park, the city manager acknowledged that maintenance has been a struggle. He cited an unusually wet summer with over 25 inches of rain, ongoing vandalism, and staffing shortages as major challenges for the four-person parks crew. He noted that weed-eating has fallen behind and that unexpected repairs, such as water leaks and sprinkler system failures, have frequently diverted staff from routine mowing and upkeep.

Environmental Use Agreement Finalized for Airport Land

WELLINGTON - The council approved a resolution authorizing an Environmental Use Control (EUC) agreement with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) for a parcel of land at the Wellington Municipal Airport. The agreement formally concludes a long-term monitoring process related to a chemical release that occurred years ago. According to officials, KDHE has determined monitoring is no longer necessary, and the EUC establishes a clear process to follow for any future development that may occur in the affected area.

Wellington Airport to Host Fly Kansas Air Tour Kickoff

WELLINGTON - Aviation enthusiasts will gather at the Wellington Municipal Airport on Tuesday, September 23rd, as the city serves as the official starting point for the Fly Kansas Air Tour. The event, which brings pilots and aircraft from across the state, will include outreach to local school children to generate interest in aviation. The kickoff is part of a series of local aviation events, including a recent Young Eagles flight day that gave 44 children an airplane ride.

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