[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-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],{"_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",6485562,"mediaKeyId","5681100-b97b899306a5c4252bdbfba71410f974","parentId",5681100,"title","Neighbors urge Leavenworth to repair collapsing culverts on Walnut and Sixth Avenue","audioSeconds",231,"startMs",216000,"endMs",447000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5681100-b97b899306a5c4252bdbfba71410f974&start=216&end=447","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5681100-b97b899306a5c4252bdbfba71410f974/thumbnail_216000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6485562/Kansas/Neighbors-urge-Leavenworth-to-repair-collapsing-culverts-on-Walnut-and-Sixth-Avenue","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6485562-a282aa8031b5613348508f6ebe00b26a/orig.mp4?Expires=1773536052&Signature=LcFxPQ4BSjEyaBwkvkorODpi6lbahWSeqqpe5M7-ZKDWt8D1dgYuVx6AsB-CsuXWxTjvFlnGzXw7x-yIR58HKKXym0OM5t2vYdmiCQg5Tx~trJ-jxysu5W5gUhFFiCCZKSYfWLU4ekOi2600Jg0brO1bueYAymLxkSEkKZfOoC3RN8jJI3DNDMUFjagPeoWEP8kys~xfcQbQtHm8FqQEdM4Ck~-S6otl63Fmd4pk4eLqRJgmrlyUlE~poMR5MwbHCZ89dPOft0GsTtrBq7PwhGCTWsYea5CT7R9Dc3pnQsBlXtD~yRTFtBpt-NV4kFfpAoElS5qZ9S5oRJnmbY6m3w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Leavenworth, KS","date","2025-08-26T23:40:53.933Z","article","Neighbors of Walnut and Sixth Avenue urged the Leavenworth City Commission on Aug. 25 to address failing creek-side culverts they say have caused sinkholes, basement flooding and property instability.

April Paxwold told commissioners she submitted a petition and a blue folder with photographs showing sinkholes and other damage along three blocks of creek. \"We have had multiple issues this summer with the rains... The basement has flooded due to those rains,\" Paxwold said, and estimated needed repairs at her family home at 603 Sixth Avenue would cost \"$15,000.\" She said neighbors have closed alleys and cited an increased property-crime risk because overgrown, closed passageways attract trespassers.

Jeff Rutledge, who said he lives at 717 Oak Street, told the commission he inspected the culvert and found it \"completely blocked\" near Sixth Avenue and Walnut and said he had not been contacted by city staff despite prior assurances. A staff member responded in the meeting that they would \"get someone to contact you\" and pledged to rectify the communication gap.

Paxwold described photos provided to the city clerk showing sinkholes and damage across the three-block area and said the creek has been carrying stormwater from roads and that increased runoff is accelerating the degradation of the waterway under private properties. She said some homeowners had already spent substantial sums to shore up foundations.

City staff did not present a formal timeline for repairs during public comment. The record shows staff asked to follow up with affected residents and that the commission was made aware of the neighborhood petition and photos placed with the city clerk.

The concerns raised in public comment echo commissioner remarks during the budget discussion about long-term stormwater infrastructure needs. Commissioners noted the city maintains roughly 15 miles of stormwater infrastructure but currently can address only a few hundred feet per year, creating a backlog that will require sustained funding and planning.

There was no formal vote tied to the public comments; staff committed to follow up with the residents who spoke and to evaluate repair needs through the appropriate public works processes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Leavenworth City Commission Meeting Aug. 26, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Residents from the Walnut and Sixth Avenue area told the Leavenworth City Commission that collapsing culverts and stormwater failures are damaging property and creating public-safety concerns, and asked the city to prioritize repairs.","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},6485567,"Leavenworth commission approves 2026 budget, votes to exceed revenue-neutral rate in 3-2 split",365,684000,1049000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5681100-b97b899306a5c4252bdbfba71410f974&start=684&end=1049","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5681100-b97b899306a5c4252bdbfba71410f974/thumbnail_684000.jpg","/articles/6485567/Kansas/Leavenworth-commission-approves-2026-budget-votes-to-exceed-revenue-neutral-rate-in-3-2-split","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6485567-27326cf5953f1df1e381ad4867c8473e/orig.mp4?Expires=1773536052&Signature=D7vQCnlQsSzO1OFIkPv1aaSPKSZuenTB5XH3LMuMMdPHuwTeBkQ4hEXryM1PI8VqKDQe3qUMjFdNQwZUNe~WzhHzdEUWfx6ckmOH1VQxkz61CHj11uGaeJVqhwIhMDDTlH5yjeDRwFA79i0HUdkcPXiczreo8rRdMllW~LR1IvObJmRUvaOURyvPcgSIwivhhpuIMNT8DcHAiZLVUPlbPXm5z8UY~Ug~mRLs4eYS~~STa3ki9OlUFRLc0sQJKv2q8oRDHWnw-~D9nEhv5to-IzMw-xuR0RWmV3OzAc0~V8uD8zf9gcKbtHBnwm9X2KW85zj5H7aN2qhSfkhfSdDaow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Leavenworth City Commission on Aug. 25 approved the city's 2026 operating and capital budgets and voted to exceed the revenue-neutral rate required under Kansas law following a public hearing and citizen comments. The budget passed on a 3-2 vote.

The commission first opened a statutorily required public hearing on exceeding the revenue-neutral rate and then voted to approve Resolution B24-04 to exceed that rate. City staff said state law required the hearing and that the commission must vote on the question at the meeting rather than tabling it. After the hearing, the commission approved the resolution by roll call.

The budget discussion included public testimony urging restraint and asking commissioners to limit nonessential spending. Jay Smyrbee of 601 Teague Avenue told the commission, \"The budget clearly shows there is no need to exceed the revenue neutral rate,\" and said the proposed tax increase would particularly burden elderly residents. Jason Murphy, a frequent budget speaker, cited line items he said showed poor returns, including spending for the airport, an aquatic center and a batting cage, and urged the commission to \"strip out coffee, donuts, cake\" from departmental budgets.

Commissioners debated levels of service, employee compensation and the city's use of reserves. City staff said the mill-levy increase was proposed in part to slow a drawdown of the city's reserves and to keep reserve levels above the city's policy target. The city's finance team prepared an addendum documenting staff-level changes made after prior budget discussions; that packet was posted on the city website, staff said.

Commissioners also approved the 2026 housing operating budget for Planners 2 (Resolution B24-05) by a unanimous vote. During the meeting the commission approved several other agenda items tied to the budget process, including contract and claims approvals.

Commission comments recorded after the votes showed differences among members about specific line items. One commissioner said they voted to exceed the revenue-neutral rate but not to approve the full budget because they wanted certain economic-development funds run by the Leavenworth Community Development Corporation to be brought in-house. Another commissioner said constituent feedback that taxes were too high prompted a \"no\" vote on the overall budget.

The commission also approved a contract award for property and casualty insurance broker services with The Riley Company after a staff-led request for proposals; staff said Riley offered the lowest flat-fee and commission options and the panel gave unanimous consensus to recommend Riley. The contract award passed 5-0.

The meeting record shows the commission approved other routine items, including claims and payroll items for the period stated on the consent agenda.

Citizens and several commissioners warned that long-term infrastructure needs, particularly stormwater and culverts, remain a concern. Commissioners said the city currently can repair only a small segment of the system each year and that backlog issues will require continued attention.

The commission adjourned after directing staff to prepare any necessary ordinance amendments and bring back items that need follow-up. Staff said it would fast-track an ordinance clarifying how to fill a potential vacancy on the commission.

Votes at a glance: Ordinances 82-65 and 82-66 (second consideration; special assessments for nuisance abatement and demolition costs) were advanced by roll call and recorded as passed; Resolution B24-04 (approval to exceed the revenue-neutral rate) was approved after the public hearing; the 2026 operating and capital budget was adopted on a 3-2 vote; Resolution B24-05 (2026 housing budget for Planners 2) passed 5-0; award of property and casualty insurance broker contract to The Riley Company passed 5-0; consent-agenda claims and payroll were approved as presented.

The commission is scheduled to follow up on several items, including an ordinance to clarify procedures to fill a commission vacancy and targeted staff follow-up on stormwater complaints raised during public comment.","The Leavenworth City Commission adopted the 2026 operating and capital budgets and approved a resolution to exceed the revenue-neutral rate after public hearings; the omnibus vote included a 3-2 split on the budget and unanimous approvals on several related measures.","actionData","errors"]

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Neighbors urge Leavenworth to repair collapsing culverts on Walnut and Sixth Avenue

Leavenworth commission approves 2026 budget, votes to exceed revenue-neutral rate in 3-2 split