[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6250742,"mediaKeyId","3198696-712cc31535f8b3f4fb030b33faadf0fe","parentId",3198696,"title","Votes at a glance: Salina commission levies special assessments, extends CID deadlines, updates towing fees and approves easements and contracts","audioSeconds",690,"startMs",9980000,"endMs",10670000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3198696-712cc31535f8b3f4fb030b33faadf0fe&start=9980&end=10670","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3198696-712cc31535f8b3f4fb030b33faadf0fe/thumbnail_9980000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6250742/Kansas/Votes-at-a-glance-Salina-commission-levies-special-assessments-extends-CID-deadlines-updates-towing-fees-and-approves-easements-and-contracts","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6250742-6e1fa8a00141874e96cf90702c01e9e0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172791&Signature=Z-e4JvU7ssSoYBCqZXM70h-1qNRmGWhW0D2t~yDHwp5OC~D9Y-4Oe~ms5qmqDyN4MVJmxIKoVwt3nzN175EmSHecHvYo6z8aIAAHy3IGG3JsrLMRElv0-I53LKCZh9n6AjjE2Ld~mJU8Sd0QAxB7Hr37DAn4pjJQE18vsyBS310s0Cl9lhsvjr9aRwlnP-0w2Z4eH-XDXQPbJxMGfzqkxRVjrOo0J5LNQYy9vZuxPV8lwh0yRAO0GHllR61ziQiowzE2xfWkL7A9ubA80RU75tl22XZ3UtXIjxphUGTlDFKtUur2hTWUPdzfjuJoIbFLEnqMOLRFzx-ThafwcXalLA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Salina, KS","date","2025-04-28T00:00:00Z","article","The Salina City Commission met April 28 and approved a package of ordinances, resolutions and administrative contracts affecting development financing, public infrastructure and city operations. Key outcomes:

- Special assessments: The commission conducted a public hearing and approved Ordinance No. 25‑11242 levying special assessments for Stone Lake Addition Phase 3C and the Markley Magnolia sanitary sewer improvements. The ordinance passed by roll call 4–0 with one recusal (Commissioner Hopack recused from this item). Notices will be mailed to affected property owners; owners have 30 days to prepay or will be assessed through a 20‑year bond schedule.

- CID development agreement amendment: Resolution No. 25‑8290 was approved to amend the Community Improvement District agreement with HPSA LLC, extending the completion deadline for the Best Western Plus project to Dec. 31, 2027, and extending the sales tax exemption on qualifying construction materials to June 30, 2027. The resolution passed 4–1.

- Towing fees and private‑tow clarifications: Resolution No. 25‑8288 and Ordinance No. 25‑11241 updated towing rates and clarified private‑tow requirements consistent with state statute (owner access to personal property, maximum rates, and 2‑hour reporting). The resolution and ordinance were approved (resolution passed; ordinance approved by roll call 5–0).

- Public art donation: The commission accepted a donation of the Kansas Promise sculpture from former Governor Bill Graves and Linda Graves for placement at Lakewood Park; the motion passed 5–0. Parks staff will manage foundation and installation work; arts staff said installation will require a concrete foundation and minor site work.

- Contracts and procurement: The commission authorized a contract with Olson Inc. (Nebraska) for coating inspection services on the water tower maintenance project (amount not to exceed $69,211); that contract was approved as part of the consent/administration actions and passed 5–0 after discussion. Other consent items (minutes, library appointments, agricultural leases, KDHE amendment, pump station cleaning assignment) were approved together (consent agenda approved 5–0, with item 4.4 discussed separately and approved 5–0).

- Power line easement: The commission authorized a power line easement granting Evergy a route across city‑owned flood control right‑of‑way to power irrigation wells at Great Life Golf & Fitness; the motion passed 5–0. The city will not incur relocation costs; the easement replaces a 1977 utility route and Evergy will install an overhead line on the agreed alignment.

- City manager recruitment brochure: Commissioners asked the search consultant (Government Professional Solutions) to revise the recruitment brochure for the city manager search; the commission scheduled a special study session for May 5 at 4:00 p.m. to review a revised draft. The special meeting to refine the brochure was authorized by motion (vote 5–0).

Below are structured action records for formal votes and major administrative approvals from the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Salina City Commission Study Session and Meeting - April 28, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At its April 28 meeting the Salina City Commission approved an ordinance levying special assessments for two sewer projects, extended a CID development deadline for a hotel, adopted towing fee changes, accepted a gifted sculpture, approved a power line easement and several contracts; vote tallies and key notes are listed.","taxTitle","Salina, Saline County, Kansas","taxId",55343,"location","Kansas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6250747,"Finance director: Salina general fund buoyed by investment income; staff told to hold 2026 budgets flat",3639,1372000,5011000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3198696-712cc31535f8b3f4fb030b33faadf0fe&start=1372&end=5011","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3198696-712cc31535f8b3f4fb030b33faadf0fe/thumbnail_1372000.jpg","/articles/6250747/Kansas/Finance-director-Salina-general-fund-buoyed-by-investment-income-staff-told-to-hold-2026-budgets-flat","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6250747-39c8513a1d121f1a4f056768965e9b51/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172791&Signature=ZF7wkebZH2by0FkNoYuGtanE5owoh~G3HJqnHEiFiqng19Br2EXyLXPnnAptOrOuW1h256LQ4Lxp4OnDmYpLoslU~o1Lh2WcvxIGngl~i9w2QOJCsR2-yfgr39-ROfM8Y4L~6OIerUgAxVLTsmd8q4HZXUWBRWHOtbxkqD5qxanyWytDTWwmO7-3GHx71A-RN2XDgMC7Q4PkD21g8xFWrdKVQrl-0w7xknByMo9OzyJ5OP6W-lxCMyzG6XWyrO4Mgp3EBjlyc5ntRdTHxYg~6G90NxUBlxHQluAG3HWjL5Bk24f8M6jFbnfXkrwoftSsQKU99kLnbu~GHJDxCh5Hhg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Debbie Papp, Salina’s director of finance, told the City Commission on April 28 that the city closed 2024 with an unusually large general fund balance — roughly $33.7 million — driven in large part by investment income from higher interest rates and steady revenues across other sources.

Papp described the general fund revenue mix and 2024 results: roughly 32% of general fund revenue comes from sales and use tax, 21% from property tax, and about 10% from investment income; EMS revenues make up about 8%. She said sales tax collections flattened in 2024 (sales tax was roughly $17.22 million in 2024 versus $17.26 million in 2023) and that the city budgeted optimistically for 2025 but actual sales tax growth has been uneven since COVID.

The finance director said 2024 exceeded the 2024 budget on revenue by roughly $4 million largely because investment income was many millions higher than budgeted; Papp attributed that to higher market rates and the city’s expanded investment powers and the results of a banking RFP. She noted the city’s current overnight sweep rate was about 4.15% at the time of the presentation, and the city has a laddered portfolio with CDs and U.S. Treasury notes of varying maturities.

Papp reviewed individual fund results, saying sales tax capital showed a net loss for 2024 (about $2.4 million) because some capital spending was deferred and not all budgeted projects were completed. She described the water/wastewater fund showing a large net loss in 2024 tied to debt payments and major plant projects, consistent with the prior rate studies that planned for multi‑year spending on capital projects.

Looking ahead to 2026, Papp said preliminary assumptions will treat general fund revenue growth conservatively: planners are using about a 2% revenue increase over 2024 actuals and have asked departments to hold budgets flat relative to 2025. She said personnel costs may rise 4–5% in aggregate for 2026 and reminded the commission of a previously planned $5 million use of fund balance in the 2025 budget. Papp said departments should expect targeted conversations during the 2026 budget process about possible spend‑down of fund balance for strategic investments.

Commissioners asked several technical questions during the presentation about the split of the city’s 1.25% sales tax (Papp said 0.75% goes to the general fund and 0.5% to special sales tax capital), transient guest tax allocations to tourism and debt, and whether incremental transient guest tax collections are tracked separately for long‑term turf replacement and park improvements (Papp said those flows are in the tourism/transient guest tax fund and she will verify historical practice for earmarking any excess to turf replacement).

Papp closed by outlining the budget schedule and saying the staff intends to present a conservative, balanced budget for 2026 that holds departmental budgets largely flat while monitoring sales tax and investment revenue trends.","Salina Director of Finance Debbie Papp presented non‑audited 2024 financials and 2025 projections, reporting a $33.7 million general fund balance driven largely by investment income and asking departments to limit 2026 budget increases.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6250751,"Salina United Way details childcare shortages, asks city for $50,000 in 2026 budget",601,73000,674000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3198696-712cc31535f8b3f4fb030b33faadf0fe&start=73&end=674","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3198696-712cc31535f8b3f4fb030b33faadf0fe/thumbnail_73000.jpg","/articles/6250751/Kansas/Salina-United-Way-details-childcare-shortages-asks-city-for-50000-in-2026-budget","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6250751-6b2295295ba1f13e6d02711bf99f9836/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172791&Signature=Jk7EBCBEwGHW75gSyRhEwg5jyKUaWeM7MLjn~SxzAO7Qp~jHLUHqCT91l4RGHKPU72XBUIcnaxLnDbxXhT9NwN1jmyxKfVJt4ppG730QrbrjKYrMm70WmcCxXOp12k1LQeDEGDyBjXc9-BZruYfqh7Ov148kzUrGkfOnaHAivIz~8XMy2iRTcCr2r7GnS-Zd6hum5PLuWXJ-~wSLBd7x5-Q0qLd-sPX9j9nvzKu9R~t6N8lZCs3EBLjkwzCmTJH-vFQDPyFjhsD1nmvxIQRCCn8x-L2U2pMHMl2A9gPUpuHHAeTm4tQj5naudmoTtUgzBFT0Uw8GBXXpVlg2W7EUMg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Christina Small, executive director of Salina Area United Way, told the Salina City Commission at an April 28 study session that childcare access remains a serious challenge in Saline County and asked the city to consider a $50,000 commitment in the 2026 budget to sustain the early childcare initiative.

Small said the United Way packet included a Childcare Aware of Kansas point-in-time estimate showing 3,917 children under 6 live in Saline County; 2,742 of those children live in households where all parents are in the workforce, leaving roughly 1,475 children under 6 who may need care. She said the early childcare initiative — which launched in 2023 and is currently open to nonprofit centers in Saline County — helped create 225 new childcare slots, including 49 infant slots, with grant support from Childcare Aware of Kansas and the Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund.

The initiative’s primary wage goal, Small said, is to raise assistant teacher pay to $15 per hour and lead teacher pay to $18 per hour. She said centers in the first grant cycle increased wages on average by about $2 per hour, typically using stipends rather than raising base wage rates because the funding is grant-based and not permanent.

Small told commissioners that one local center projects a 2025 shortfall of about $166,000 operating at breakeven under current rates; she said charging families an additional $50 per child per week would only achieve breakeven for that center and still not enable sustained wage increases. She also cited a household survival budget included in the packet showing HUD fair-market rents significantly understate actual local rents: the packet lists an efficiency at $389 per month but the Salina Housing Authority reports average one-bedroom rents near $590 per month, Small said.

Michelle Groopman, the United Way’s early childcare initiative director, joined Small at the podium and described data on staffing. Groopman said that in the first ECIF grant cycle (March 2024–February 2025) participating centers reported nine staff vacancies in the first reporting month and 18 vacancies by the last month; she said several centers that had recently expanded reported most of the vacancies. Groopman added that, among the seven centers that applied in the most recent cycle, fully closing the wage gap to reach $15/$18 per hour would require more than $550,000 and that the figure would need to be sustained year-to-year.

Small and Groopman highlighted ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) data included in their packet showing 42% of Salina households fall below the ALICE threshold or live in poverty, and that the average reported cost of infant care in a family childcare home rose from $645 (2022 data) to $880 per month as of April 21, 2025. Small said the United Way has placed 10% of Early Childcare Initiative donations into an endowment now exceeding $550,000 to support long-term sustainability.

Small closed by thanking the commission for the city’s $500,000 allocation in the 2025 budget and said the United Way’s formal request for 2026 funding is $50,000; she said the request is intended to continue strengthening wages and expand access while the program seeks employer and private support.

The presentation prompted questions from commissioners about the endowment target (Small said the goal is $10,000,000) and how the 2025 allocation will be used; Small said 10% of money received in the early childcare initiative is placed in the endowment and that the United Way is meeting directly with employers about employer contributions and tax-advantaged options such as childcare stipends.

The commission did not take formal action on the request at the study session; staff noted the request will be considered during the 2026 budget process.","Salina Area United Way told the City Commission study session that childcare access and low wages remain critical problems; the nonprofit thanked the city for a $500,000 2025 allocation and requested $50,000 for 2026 to continue an Early Childcare Initiative.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Salina commission levies special assessments, extends CID deadlines, updates towing fees and approves easements and contracts

Finance director: Salina general fund buoyed by investment income; staff told to hold 2026 budgets flat

Salina United Way details childcare shortages, asks city for $50,000 in 2026 budget