[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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",[32,76,88,100],{"_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",6520174,"mediaKeyId","5334498-0075ee640ed9e1eef9ea605b779588a2","parentId",5334498,"title","Leavenworth officials review expiring Pioneer Group agreement and weigh ending city police initial response to VA campus","audioSeconds",2028,"startMs",2421000,"endMs",4449000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5334498-0075ee640ed9e1eef9ea605b779588a2&start=2421&end=4449","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5334498-0075ee640ed9e1eef9ea605b779588a2/thumbnail_2421000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6520174/Kansas/Leavenworth-officials-review-expiring-Pioneer-Group-agreement-and-weigh-ending-city-police-initial-response-to-VA-campus","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6520174-cd3c26b7eb45d184def02a318ce729f0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159457&Signature=byHpuPJYgfmeyq-JJovtSMkJ5rgaJMwImy~OFmtR1V1dEG8wowYPUa5AKWMqDb8-LItpWvfkeYKcd-lmOUbMZ74AZQOu~8kRGoCbZtw8HDzSgOeCSKpcCFH2Szf5oCtPlVSuz7ojnLjzi95WQ2X9SXOelEGQxd-0X~9M7ybzhZhEWtG7l6QPvIy~nQeljtzEFatc9wYZbKGPqb~UPE0JN8JWe7x2jYGimnyjAWn~ocgYCPjwA9oGgRcd8QBNKMQ3a8XaqVmUaMLP~HQcldOUUPbgKdFvvTY9AcBGZbWX88RdJwB384y-sg1fwLjWYuFN6fqnupPoznLRGB4D1wbdtw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Leavenworth, KS","date","2025-06-25T00:07:10Z","article","The Leavenworth City Commission on Tuesday began a review of the city’s 20-year agreement with the Pioneer Group that requires the city to provide police service for parts of the VA Leavenworth campus and fire service for the entire campus.

Police Chief: The current structure “is just not working very well,” the Police Chief told the commission, citing frequent disputes over which agency should respond to specific calls and chronic inefficiencies. He said the Leavenworth Police Department responded to the campus about 850 times in 2023–24 — roughly once a day — and the fire department responded about 250 times in the same period.

Why it matters: The Pioneer Group, formerly the Eisenhower Ridge Association, pays the city in lieu of taxes under the contract. City staff said the payment has averaged about $19,000 per year recently, a sum fire and police leaders described as far below the cost of services delivered. The agreement is scheduled for renewal on Sept. 15; if renewed it would automatically move to five‑year terms.

History and problems: City staff said the arrangement dates to the developer-led redevelopment of historic campus buildings under a long-term lease with the VA. At the time the VA disbanded its onsite fire department and required developers to arrange for emergency services. Over time, staff said, the agreement’s division of police jurisdiction (some buildings designated for city response, others for VA police) has led to repeated operational friction, slow coordination and, in at least one instance, delayed traffic‑accident response.

Recommendation: The Police Chief recommended withdrawing the Leavenworth Police Department from being the initial responding agency to the campus and restoring the VA Police Department as the primary on‑site responder, with the city providing mutual‑aid backup when requested. “If they go out to a call and they need our help, we will come help them,” the Police Chief said.

Fire services: The Fire Chief described a prior arrangement in which the VA funded the city’s fire response at higher levels—roughly $400,000 annually in earlier years—before the VA stopped that funding. The fire chief said campus buildings and systems remain in poor condition, producing frequent false alarms and code‑related problems that draw city resources.

Commission reaction and next steps: Commissioners expressed concern about the small recent payments and the operational burden on city public safety staff. Several commissioners signaled they would not support renewing the existing agreement as written. City staff asked for direction to develop options including (a) renegotiating the funding formula, (b) phasing out city initial response while coordinating a transition with VA leadership and the incoming developer, or (c) allowing the contract to lapse and relying on mutual aid arrangements.

Timing: Staff reminded the commission the current agreement calls for action before the September renewal date and recommended discussing interim extensions only to avoid leaving residents without emergency coverage during a transition.

The commission did not take a formal vote on the agreement at the meeting; commissioners asked staff to return with cost‑of‑service estimates, a proposed transition timeline and draft language for a revised agreement or termination.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Leavenworth City Commission Meeting July 8, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Leavenworth City Commission on Tuesday began a review of the city’s 20‑year agreement with the Pioneer Group that requires the city to provide police service for parts of the VA Leavenworth campus and fire service for the entire campus.","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},6520161,"Resident tells commission CoreCivic allegedly left veteran with no settlement after serious injury",187,418000,605000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5334498-0075ee640ed9e1eef9ea605b779588a2&start=418&end=605","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5334498-0075ee640ed9e1eef9ea605b779588a2/thumbnail_418000.jpg","/articles/6520161/Kansas/Resident-tells-commission-CoreCivic-allegedly-left-veteran-with-no-settlement-after-serious-injury","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6520161-02a82d74aae2d7db5b43ecc83a37f879/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159457&Signature=ZNuGjEwl9lAbx61uwJpydXu3fs2GL5R-v6oXH8-qE-04-Zo09R0PBmc51f4isEVwxWTQlQfuA3gfHgA1YeWMvWBo3aBmxla98Qai-R4oR7mykfF2QLC0zibFwqTnEUPSNR~rYmuxYOiAkhGmK2LsPMMt1Ekk2pBt-M9p5THXX5qXnMH2yICx~HcPtrKky2pI1i2VLJP3I~v-cVc6i1dNfu8Rj8s2I8iJ~Dav25p4xN~JB1M7XcZaDFOriyyJzmsgmbpuNIUEVoeNH8K1YMzniWnJknCQv1PyUzT01ajtWZd3nLmM9kV2snMV4tOCxuJonBnxio~ecWiREJUgcd752g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","William Rogers used the commission’s public‑comment period to urge community concern after describing the treatment of a local veteran he identified as “Miss Levering.” Rogers said Levering served in the U.S. Army and later worked for CoreCivic. He said she was severely injured on the job and, while hospitalized, was presented with a document that she signed to have CoreCivic cover medical bills but which, Rogers said, also waived her right to sue.

Rogers described the veteran’s condition and financial hardship. “She told me she's broke. She had no money to buy groceries that week, and she didn't know how she was gonna pay her rent,” Rogers said. He told the commission the veteran “received zero” in a settlement and said she was applying for public assistance.

No city action: The commission did not take action on the comment during the meeting. City rules distributed at the meeting state that public comment is an opportunity to inform the commission and staff; the mayor and commissioners generally do not respond during the comment period but may direct staff to follow up after the meeting.

The statements reflect the speaker's account; the commission did not provide corroborating details or a staff response at the meeting.","During public comment William Rogers described a local veteran he said was seriously injured while employed by CoreCivic and later signed a document he says barred her from suing; Rogers said she received no settlement and has sought public assistance.",{"_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},6520166,"Commission sets public hearing on exceeding revenue-neutral rate; minutes and claims approved",2166,2337000,4503000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5334498-0075ee640ed9e1eef9ea605b779588a2&start=2337&end=4503","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5334498-0075ee640ed9e1eef9ea605b779588a2/thumbnail_2337000.jpg","/articles/6520166/Kansas/Commission-sets-public-hearing-on-exceeding-revenue-neutral-rate-minutes-and-claims-approved","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6520166-ea0e9adbafc5834bd0e38096306ddc53/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159457&Signature=heTZA23bomZisvU84nXt~2YHhM0PwG6WeFZMMQNENyk2Q499pgtW5NMorE0dq8YvRT20O5zLdAHAlKrmuB0Ha-pAC2o1WZYpYrdThybt1NWeiPcRDw~1fi1bZYl33Xse888SCHkQtDe6ik2hILyoT~wp8wbAbzbP1-bjpP2~0hB02R~x9tOr~pXF0FeK8Qnytw4Kv9jhFk0RyHKBXHddbtcF9HyCmNB~2xrYEzbXk6B6QjTPJ3ayQn-KAdv6qLe4ahCORyHCuXA~Cdf4eW23ASm9ll75cdTOlPvLL4Dm7uOYTpCgvyaNxojspKPeguJexfcmJHhmoU6fz0YZpZ8C9Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Leavenworth City Commission on Tuesday approved three routine measures: minutes from a prior meeting, a resolution setting a public hearing for a potential mill‑rate change, and the consent agenda that included claims and payroll.

Resolution sets hearing only: City staff explained the measure, resolution B‑2400, only schedules public notification and a hearing on the city’s intent to exceed the revenue‑neutral rate; it does not itself raise or lock in the mill rate. “Voting no on this resolution locks the city into one and only one choice, and that is revenue neutral,” City staff told the commission, urging approval to preserve future options.

Votes and amounts:
- Minutes: Motion to approve minutes from the June 24, 2025 regular meeting was moved, seconded and approved by the commission.
- Resolution B‑2400: Motion to approve the resolution setting the public hearing on exceeding the revenue‑neutral rate was moved, seconded and approved. The action schedules the public hearing; no mill‑rate decision was made at the meeting.
- Consent agenda (claims and payroll): The commission approved claims for June 20–July 2, 2025 in the amount of $1,643,568.13 and net payroll (pay number 13, effective June 27, 2025) in the amount of $461,036.90; the payroll figure includes police and fire pension contributions of $7,753.58.

Commissioners present recorded “Aye” on each item; the commission did not amend or reject any of the three motions. City staff said more detailed budget discussions remain scheduled in the all‑day budget meeting to follow staff proposals.","At its meeting the Leavenworth City Commission approved minutes from a prior meeting, voted to set a public hearing on a possible mill‑rate increase, and approved claims and payroll covering late June–early July; the resolution to set the hearing does not itself change the mill rate, city staff said.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6520169,"Leavenworth County Port Authority unveils education campaign to build public support for economic development",1708,611000,2319000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5334498-0075ee640ed9e1eef9ea605b779588a2&start=611&end=2319","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5334498-0075ee640ed9e1eef9ea605b779588a2/thumbnail_611000.jpg","/articles/6520169/Kansas/Leavenworth-County-Port-Authority-unveils-education-campaign-to-build-public-support-for-economic-development","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6520169-473c797532f728bc184581a1ef55b546/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159457&Signature=Abb8YsGz7nr1AhB8HoQHuNm-uc8nJLJpjuhpitG4OeQ06R8WP7ZFIg6P0WUHoHuC5t7dzy44ckOW7Rqj4tdhX~WjHhAm~QQ8BI3x3i-DYNxldwJyLlFsTsHhevZteuuBdj9-EHkbLPB57WZOFwnBNGgpE~8pTo4n7YsVpYWyX05EHCRet4Ll-pVDniN-oq4DekrtswkHd9Ea88z5U1qAAEU68Dr0hgaorm9kAu8tZgD-Re7jutAFEXp3tKhvgGDYlcgveos8owqGJ1Izvl3U-UJGB7vGf5REyg45~4JKUw9wLtIzXUrsfFvS53YSag5KI~JKJ1H0WjtnKTDnE8Wfhg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representatives of the Leavenworth County Port Authority and the Leavenworth County Development Corporation briefed the Leavenworth City Commission on a planned public education campaign intended to increase understanding and support for economic development initiatives across the county.

What they announced: Greg Cause, a city appointee to the Port Authority, said the campaign will emphasize three themes: the value of economic development, transparency and accountability, and building trust and support. The effort will include polling, targeted messaging for different communities, digital and print outreach and public meetings.

Polling results: Cause cited a recent study by Golden Shovel that he said found about “78% generally supported new economic development, which sounds great, but less than 50% want to pay for it.” He told commissioners the research showed tax concerns were the most common barrier to public backing.

Funding and staffing: Presenters said county funding for the Port Authority has fallen from just under $300,000 a year in prior years to an expected $25,000–$75,000 this year. Cause said the authority currently operates with a skeleton staff of three and argued more stable funding is needed to pursue large industrial parks and business‑attraction projects.

Scale and strategy: The presenters noted that modern industrial parks often exceed 300–500 acres and suggested the Midwest’s land, power and water make the region attractive to data centers. Cause offered a rough figure: developing a full industrial park with streets and utilities could cost on the order of $25–30 million depending on location and infrastructure needs.

Tax shift aspiration: Presenters discussed wanting to shift Leavenworth County’s property tax split from about 90% residential / 10% commercial to closer to 70/30 by attracting larger commercial and industrial investments. They said, however, that such deals typically require long timelines and stable financing.

Commission response: Commissioners thanked the volunteers for the briefing and asked staff to help coordinate outreach to other local governments. One commissioner cautioned that economic development does not automatically lower the county mill rate and urged careful public messaging about tax impacts.

Next steps: Cause said a press release and frequently asked questions will be issued in the coming weeks, and the education campaign is expected to run six to nine months, with adjustments based on public reaction.","Port Authority appointees told the Leavenworth City Commission they will launch a 6–9 month outreach campaign after polling showed support for economic development but reluctance to pay taxes; presenters sought to prepare local officials for incoming materials and public meetings.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Leavenworth officials review expiring Pioneer Group agreement and weigh ending city police initial response to VA campus

Resident tells commission CoreCivic allegedly left veteran with no settlement after serious injury

Commission sets public hearing on exceeding revenue-neutral rate; minutes and claims approved

Leavenworth County Port Authority unveils education campaign to build public support for economic development