[{"_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",6513685,"mediaKeyId","5067448-907f2bc271fb3b673cb7053875551d4a","parentId",5067448,"title","Leavenworth staff unveils 2026 budget plan, warns of falling reserves and proposes mill levy increase","audioSeconds",1679,"startMs",1047000,"endMs",2726000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5067448-907f2bc271fb3b673cb7053875551d4a&start=1047&end=2726","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5067448-907f2bc271fb3b673cb7053875551d4a/thumbnail_1047000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6513685/Kansas/Leavenworth-staff-unveils-2026-budget-plan-warns-of-falling-reserves-and-proposes-mill-levy-increase","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6513685-79873af38719748072727f88434aa481/orig.mp4?Expires=1773620667&Signature=Fyostf88XrCO1nQUdSeUdvCs8UwcSEv~Aq~hkq4C5qLaPiq5Dl3NXjHDDnxnnV-xpS7PSjlBshRER7N6QTkpiG7P1zmSHBt3lqcqSSpDV1ou4toBLFP93fRGUUhRdRro2feDD6IxmUUgv~ZDkKx~8rcwxZ22-Az~tdzTkzIIJO2zC53061JUnx-uuyz1GdYCh7EaFsAkPBWldXSTehfpUWJomAZkHfcoixdZQUYErBCpVn1LIzhl03sSKZGIkxDdazBKFo8zDIu5jsyCk8YV1ettUb237w~rFLzphmRzC6cq89dyVmlR19ovcdsdn8lbFKvi1IE03W8gDDRzSJHNqA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Leavenworth, KS","date","2025-06-25T01:06:47.927Z","article","City staff presented a proposed operating budget and five‑year capital plan at the Leavenworth City Commission meeting on June 24, laying out options to address declining sales‑tax revenue, reduced reserves and rising insurance costs.

Scott Show, city staff and the meeting’s budget presenter, told commissioners the city expects to finish 2024 about $1.5 million under budget and 2025 roughly $876,000 under, producing a two‑year negative impact to reserves of about $2.4 million. Show said staff revised sales‑tax estimates downward and examined every departmental line item to reduce spending without cutting services.

Show said staff propose a 2.3457‑mill increase that would raise about $1,140,000 for the general fund under the current assumptions. He also described a possible alternative if the city switches to the State Employee Health Plan (SEHP): preliminary estimates show the city could save up to $1.3 million annually by joining SEHP. If approved by the state and adopted by the commission, staff said about $850,000 of those savings could be used in the proposed budget to partly fund raises and reduce the recommended mill levy to 1.3457 mills.

Why it matters: the city’s unencumbered cash position stood at about $24.6 million on June 24 after roughly $12 million in encumbrances (projects already ordered). Staff projections in the presentation showed reserves falling from about $23.3 million in 2025 to about $16 million by the end of 2026 unless the commission acts to reduce the gap.

Key proposals and assumptions
- No across‑the‑board pay increases in the base proposal; staff proposed options (including a 3% raise scenario) if SEHP savings are realized.
- Three positions reduced through attrition (one was a vacant code enforcement officer), and line‑item spending cuts across departments; vehicle lease spending next year is projected at roughly 60% of last year.
- Enterprise fees (user charges for sewer and solid waste) will be adjusted to match service demands.
- Solid waste: staff recommended short‑term capacity additions (new trucks and staff in 2026) and a near‑term plan to build a consolidation station at the old landfill site, with a long‑term transfer‑station master plan under study (referred to in the presentation as option “2.5”).
- Digitization: procurement moved to a Bonfire requisition platform; parks programming will move to RecDesk; the city is researching on‑line business licensing and transitioning to Microsoft Office 365 for staff collaboration.

Capital projects and long‑term items
Show described the city’s five‑year CIP and noted several projects are unscheduled but remain on the list, including a new wastewater treatment plant and a police firearms training range. He said some projects slated for replacement may be deferred if a new wastewater facility is built (for example, trickling filters that cost roughly $2 million each).

On wastewater specifically, staff noted KDHE (the Kansas Department of Health and Environment) has issued increasingly stringent nutrient‑removal expectations, and the city already has a wastewater master‑plan update on the agenda (the commission approved a contract for the study during the same meeting).

Timing and next steps
Show listed target dates: budget books available July 3; an all‑day budget meeting on July 14; a final study session July 15; the city must notify the county clerk on July 20 if it intends to exceed revenue neutral (the current proposal does); public hearing to exceed revenue neutral and adopt the budget is set for Aug. 26; final adopted budget to county clerk Sep. 15.

What commissioners asked
Commissioners pressed staff for details on insurance RFP timing, the assumed number of police and fire vacancies included in salary lines, and how quickly the city could realize savings from SEHP if approved by the Kansas State Employees Health Care Commission. Show said staff had submitted the SEHP application and expected an answer imminently; adoption would still require commission approval.

Ending
Staff told commissioners the presentation materials would be posted on the city website after small typo fixes. The commission set an all‑day budget meeting for July to refine options and asked staff to bring scenarios that show the tradeoffs between mill levy changes and pay increases depending on whether SEHP is approved.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Leavenworth City Commission Meeting June 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","City staff presented a proposed 2026 operating budget and five‑year capital plan at the Leavenworth City Commission meeting on June 24, laying out options to address declining sales‑tax revenue, reduced reserves and rising insurance costs.","taxTitle","Leavenworth City, Leavenworth County, Kansas","taxId",53903,"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},6513675,"Skate‑park advocates ask Leavenworth commission for lights, restrooms and programming to boost use and revenue",328,487000,815000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5067448-907f2bc271fb3b673cb7053875551d4a&start=487&end=815","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5067448-907f2bc271fb3b673cb7053875551d4a/thumbnail_487000.jpg","/articles/6513675/Kansas/Skatepark-advocates-ask-Leavenworth-commission-for-lights-restrooms-and-programming-to-boost-use-and-revenue","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6513675-31689e3b1c672b3b5953dab030f71023/orig.mp4?Expires=1773620667&Signature=P1mG7HUfMAlb2PKmKwnpyzFOwn6yzt9BMbM5pTvRg1lMq4UWg42vEE3q2-kNou5ikzp1Bds94zQPuaFHTwBzYaBUkJx4XG8~uA666ifktg2XPY0nyrr6LYZOfBGmXzfh0kyYGc8~H5JEUKYX1hOqXijAne0Ad0e5PIFEFV1iNbaOgRewO9m07D65YZIlF1iOLr8F37ZPqktiQLeH3xkfisY4Bfgup1x3sRF-NlsxSuWerMQ8eCuxUjQvp5vTnWIQAnvNwGi26Cp-RwWTX5a0tcb6n-5m~wCs7Why5zdQEvbp596We1lAyYkgaxOzaoXynFNS9UzH7sCzJmd~UJk7sg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During the public‑comment period on June 24, members of a community committee urged the Leavenworth City Commission to consider targeted upgrades and programming at the city skate park to increase usage and generate revenue.

Mary Anne Neland and Billy Neland — who said they represent the skate park expansion committee — said they had circulated surveys at National Go Skateboarding Day and compiled user feedback from beginners, casual viewers and sponsored skaters. They asked the commission to consider adding shade, lights, seating and restroom access to support events, contests and beginner lessons that could generate revenue for maintenance and programming.

Mary Anne Neland said past contests had produced revenue but that the primary constraints now are a lack of lights, restrooms and seating. Billy Neland told commissioners he and local skaters would serve as consultants for future upgrades to avoid short‑lived construction results and suggested alternate locations near existing amenities (for example in Cody Park) that already have restrooms and shade.

Why it matters
Committee members said improvements would allow organizers to hold paid contests, offer mini‑camps and beginner lessons and potentially rent space for birthday or similar events. The speakers urged the city to incorporate the voices of people who actually use the park when planning upgrades.

Commission response
Commissioners thanked the speakers and said staff would follow up. No formal action was taken during the meeting; the remarks were received as public comment.","Residents and a skate‑park expansion committee asked the city commission to consider upgrades — shade, lighting, seating, restrooms and beginner lessons — and suggested running paid contests and mini‑camps to generate revenue for skate‑park maintenance and programming.",{"_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},6513680,"Commission approves $370,019 contract for wastewater treatment plant master plan update",429,2831000,3260000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5067448-907f2bc271fb3b673cb7053875551d4a&start=2831&end=3260","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5067448-907f2bc271fb3b673cb7053875551d4a/thumbnail_2831000.jpg","/articles/6513680/Kansas/Commission-approves-370019-contract-for-wastewater-treatment-plant-master-plan-update","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6513680-4a720eb9fe573343b47689d36a407a37/orig.mp4?Expires=1773620667&Signature=Mp4611jfMwqBCLp0dXJn9dKnq0McW4FlROCua9arZjMVkf03GIDjvoFp7WpoSTshMVyHj35P2tquqQl3IMQ9Tfxa6zkgEsyCYZmlhOsfZfXRY3DoRwplp~xtRn2Wb8bJQj-RsSlIRixrJydSthwnvL4wure1AeFM60kq17AwnScpgR8ZOpAPG5yNgByyBrUyn6Q8Op9a563WL4l9Vhw-F8NxnkmoIuT6a6qv0THg7FT4Q40TBdca3twsTS-HQ3n7iE-bo1sL~1I-waQPBzzXTxSkBekyZb2IMlAmoJLMYSR2ko-2KvMjhUDPgoB9SXKw-SA41QbhAtgI6FUh9tOovA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Leavenworth City Commission authorized the mayor on June 24 to sign a contract with Black & Veatch for an update to the city’s wastewater treatment plant master plan in a not‑to‑exceed amount of $370,019.

City staff and John Keller of Black & Veatch told the commission the current wastewater facility is approaching the end of its useful life and that upcoming Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) Nutrient Removal guidance and permit changes will make the existing trickling‑filter‑based system difficult to meet in future permit cycles. Black & Veatch previously designed upgrades to the older facility and the city’s UV disinfection system; the firm will evaluate what existing components can be reused and prepare a layout and cost estimate for an updated facility.

The firm’s scope covers capacity evaluation, recommended treatment approaches to meet discharge limits, and layouts for an updated plant. Staff told the commission the contract funds will come from the city’s share reserve fund and noted Black & Veatch reduced its fee when the policy report was provided. During the discussion commissioners asked about the likely cost of a new plant; Keller said a new treatment plant could cost on the order of $120 million (staff cautioned the final number depends on the chosen treatment approach and reuse of existing equipment).

Funding and next steps
Staff said they will pursue grant and low‑interest loan opportunities, including defense community grant programs and other state or federal sources, and will include the master plan’s findings in future CIP schedules. The master‑plan update does not include final design; it is a planning step intended to inform future design, permitting, funding and construction.

Commission action
A motion to authorize the mayor to sign the contract with Black & Veatch not to exceed $370,019 carried; recorded roll‑call votes were taken by the mayor and commissioners present and the motion passed.","The commission authorized a not‑to‑exceed contract with Black & Veatch to update the wastewater treatment plant master plan, citing impending KDHE permit requirements and estimating a potential future plant cost of roughly $120 million.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Leavenworth staff unveils 2026 budget plan, warns of falling reserves and proposes mill levy increase

Skate‑park advocates ask Leavenworth commission for lights, restrooms and programming to boost use and revenue

Commission approves $370,019 contract for wastewater treatment plant master plan update