[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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",[32,75,87],{"_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":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6163587,"mediaKeyId","5433759-3f2c5bacf99a2f327ef4c717b21cf6b5","parentId",5433759,"title","Regional transit agency seeks 15% funding bump, local matches to expand K‑18 connector and build facility","audioSeconds",544,"startMs",2476000,"endMs",3020000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5433759-3f2c5bacf99a2f327ef4c717b21cf6b5&start=2476&end=3020","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5433759-3f2c5bacf99a2f327ef4c717b21cf6b5/thumbnail_2476000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6163587/Junction-City/Geary-County/Kansas/Regional-transit-agency-seeks-15-funding-bump-local-matches-to-expand-K18-connector-and-build-facility","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6163587-11414c54aeea17b003ffc13cc93d604e/orig.mp4?Expires=1773616021&Signature=ZiglICYfOmDFrCVju~9wOawmIO4y5byIoaJwp7R8gFOyzvUPAGQaP4U7zN~zrxfZQ4UHmlUPJ4laOENU3AyezOqq67o6CtdlKr5qEaGRr6KB6B6xoV2EQ-nPWQAC70PNXe-iz3-3teyPLrkiU6xW6lQFJPXR8G6OFdaP413QPIVWJbWUGNpbjE3wftLj-tWqLs-2TOlLm3h966wVNYgOCxODWIFhdPfkChpJoMnmr83F31MvvwpsWA80QpQRPrxdL6MtOZKOR~DVMmmMVJ8SFi8rbQQe9H3PiQVrsjVF8dS6a7rbIIGVI41Mzp6A9EfuXfn2IAuvJXEKKI3Ar3SkQQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Junction , KS","date","2025-07-15T00:00:00Z","article","A transit agency representative requested a 15% increase in partner funding for 2026 and described awarded grants and local matches that would expand service to Junction City and fund a transit facility.

The presenter said the agency requests a 15% increase from its funding partners and estimated that equates to $57,500 for Junction City in 2026. The agency said it recently was awarded about $370,000 from KDOT to extend the K‑18 (K‑Team) connector to Junction City; that award requires a local match of roughly $41,200.

Separately, the presenter said the agency earlier secured about $900,000 from KDOT through an Access, Innovation and Collaboration (AIC) grant to build a transit facility in Junction City; the local match for that project is about $100,000. The presenter said bringing the federal and state funds into Junction City would support wages, services and local purchases.

Agency staff described service patterns and demand: fixed-route boardings concentrated at the hospital, high school, Walmart and other stops; demand‑response trips frequently serve medical appointments and grocery shopping. The presenter said 88% of the agency’s fleet is more than three years old and 44% has 150,000 miles or more, and that vehicle costs have roughly doubled since 2021.

On operations, the presenter said the agency plans to modernize dispatch software, standardize bus-stop guidelines and work with LiveWell Geary County on shelter and stop improvements. The transcript records operational discussion and questions about parking and storage; the presenter said buses are currently stored at the library but the library has asked the agency to move and that typical overnight parking runs seven to eight buses.

No formal motion or vote was recorded; commissioners asked clarifying questions about funding sources, matching requirements and potential city-owned sites for a facility.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Junction City Budget Work Session - July 15, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A regional transit representative asked city leaders for a 15% increase in funding (about $57,500 from Junction City) to support operations, detailed a $370,000 KDOT award to extend the K‑18 connector to Junction City (local match $41,200), and described a separate $900,000 KDOT AIC award requiring a $100,000 local match for a transit facility.","taxTitle","Junction City, Geary County, Kansas","taxId",63543,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6163591,"Junction City Main Street asks city for $85,000; reports $107,000 reinvested in local businesses in H1",1254,1170000,2424000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5433759-3f2c5bacf99a2f327ef4c717b21cf6b5&start=1170&end=2424","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5433759-3f2c5bacf99a2f327ef4c717b21cf6b5/thumbnail_1170000.jpg","/articles/6163591/Junction-City/Geary-County/Kansas/Junction-City-Main-Street-asks-city-for-85000-reports-107000-reinvested-in-local-businesses-in-H1","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6163591-61834e0a9f7c9a8b61bfa9e2e7eb0cff/orig.mp4?Expires=1773616021&Signature=c-da0kxUIivSvV0dSB5y1s0bkI9wfr2ZAY1~~xBgHqQQdpY-Y4kYvAsXbekGD9F2YdwfnflQKOv8mpHlFi-geJXeagO2MZHYSy487tMbN6Cuh~kdwkhNjXKFkRxkUp-aq4EsOHnXdeQfZFloX3~pjDMiPp~XwhbGjjKl8rl3RYKlMFMSzDSoo6lXO1AvjtBbd14GTAH7g5n1QR53XrEXcuybJr63lkeRioGOrTS~gKCMJBUjiKmlAPhxeT2wZM1CVPvmIhdNJ07BGgHG~aHR5LiJC-8UJFt1ahwg9rLLrCeR5LZXNe5rZL-zlnnJXYBUdEluYkV6E2p1vAOG1P6XJQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jordan McCann, executive director of Junction City Main Street, asked the city for $85,000 in operating support for 2026 and described the nonprofit’s recent work to promote downtown businesses and tourism.

McCann said the Main Street district covers the historic downtown from Sixth to Tenth Street and from Washington to Franklin, and that the program is a two‑person staff with heavy volunteer support. \"We have a district map...this is everything within the confines of that area,\" McCann said, noting expansion would require board approval and resources.

Sheila Markley, board chair, joined McCann for the presentation and highlighted accreditation from Main Street America. McCann reported that, between programs that provided direct assistance to businesses and community projects, Main Street invested more than $107,000 back into the community in the first two quarters of the year.

Fundraising items discussed included a downtown flag program that sells an initial-year package for $85 (base, pole and flag); McCann said the group had sold 86 flags to date and that the first-year price covers costs, with subsequent years generating funds for the organization. McCann said the program has returned much of its revenue to materials and stipends for volunteers who install the flags.

McCann outlined accomplishments including the Junction City Farmers Market partnership with LiveWell Geary County, a shift to QuickBooks for accounting, and attendance at national Main Street conferences. She said Main Street used grant and local investments to support private property projects and public improvements, reporting more than $210,000 in private property investments and $276,000 in public improvements for 2024.

On funding, McCann said the county’s contribution has risen (from $20,000 to $25,000 in recent years) and that the city provided $70,000 last year; Main Street’s 2026 city request is $85,000. She said the increase reflects uncertainties in grant funding and the intent to protect program services.

No formal vote occurred during the presentation; commissioners asked for district clarification, fundraising details and meeting times. McCann said board meetings are open and held the second Thursday at 5:15 p.m.","Jordan McCann, executive director of Junction City Main Street, requested $85,000 from the city for 2026 operations, described a district-focused program, fundraising results and accreditation status, and summarized investments and volunteer activity from the first two quarters of 2024/2025.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6163595,"FreedomFest asks city for $50,000 to begin contracts for expanded 2026 celebration",899,82000,981000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5433759-3f2c5bacf99a2f327ef4c717b21cf6b5&start=82&end=981","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5433759-3f2c5bacf99a2f327ef4c717b21cf6b5/thumbnail_82000.jpg","/articles/6163595/Junction-City/Geary-County/Kansas/FreedomFest-asks-city-for-50000-to-begin-contracts-for-expanded-2026-celebration","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6163595-fbb09273428dbce7e096e5a55b8c694b/orig.mp4?Expires=1773616021&Signature=HcVAWqO8pjrFlVSVIEo9oZN557MBo5SmXkItrz3ZHRvN3gpB54362ULJUwdesUHkvxyIyXsFZLL-57GdEH7K2gyTQiy6KNhARF~oEFcDcVt4G7kiIIHVFmkSqDAPj0LzhCF480OSxLMT4MnD1Tp-OLlUN-bdQXzp3FFhyGTgExaCkbIbFU2fs9fAQhs-2byXCGrGMmxi1JKv~f~enLoN1bsxB3TrTJwRMET7kSq236O1V46Ge4DCGm0a3FHph5-tXmG1aRg-dxY41Vx8~9i101bPoZIqX0H41zkgUQwbouSWr0zAp2ijt~VlcHSqhTOe19TtYAnw16e-0ElHRpE83w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Nate Butler, FreedomFest representative, asked Junction City commissioners for $50,000 to begin contracting for FreedomFest 2026, which organizers plan as an expanded celebration timed to the nation’s 250th anniversary.

The request would be used immediately to secure a stage and entertainment contracts, Butler said, and to provide working capital while the volunteer-run nonprofit raises the remainder through sponsorships, vendor fees and donations. \"FreedomFest is asking for $50,000 for 2026,\" Butler told the commissioners.

Organizers estimate the event’s total 2026 cost at $150,000–$200,000 and projected receipts of about $185,000 if current donors and partners contribute. Butler said the stage alone typically costs about $30,000 and that his group aims to carry over roughly $30,000 from this year to help start next year’s contracts.

Butler described FreedomFest as a 501(c)(6) volunteer organization that brings national and regional visitors to Junction City; he said attendance has reached roughly 50,000 annually and that about 80 hotel room-nights were reserved this year. He credited media coverage and out-of-state visitors for part of the event’s reach, and cited local vendors and Fort Riley volunteers among contributors.

Questions from commissioners focused on power and infrastructure at the stage site, entertainment costs and diversity of performers. Butler said the organization worked with Evergy and city inspectors this year to improve the transformer connection, will likely bring a generator as backup next year, and has booked both local and out‑of‑town acts — noting entertainment fees have risen substantially.

Discussion only: Commissioners asked for more details on costs, vendor rules and representation of diverse performers; Butler said FreedomFest has included performers of different backgrounds in past years and tries to mix national acts and local bands while balancing fundraising needs.

No formal vote or directive was recorded in the transcript during this presentation.

Organizers closed by citing a national travel publication that listed FreedomFest among regional July events and by thanking commissioners for time and consideration.","FreedomFest organizers requested $50,000 from Junction City to start contracts and secure talent for a larger 2026 program tied to the U.S. 250th anniversary, estimating total costs of $150,000–$200,000 and describing volunteer-run operations and local economic impacts.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Regional transit agency seeks 15% funding bump, local matches to expand K‑18 connector and build facility

Junction City Main Street asks city for $85,000; reports $107,000 reinvested in local businesses in H1

FreedomFest asks city for $50,000 to begin contracts for expanded 2026 celebration