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Commission authorizes $3.56 million East National improvements, can issue bonds
Summary
The City Commission adopted a resolution authorizing design/construction of East National Avenue improvements, estimated at $3,560,000, and gave staff authority to issue bonds if needed. The project may be partly offset by an anticipated KDOT grant of about $1 million; commissioners flagged a potential cost increase tied to recent tariff reports.
The Fort Scott City Commission on Wednesday adopted a resolution authorizing construction of improvements to East National Avenue from National Avenue toward the cemetery and railroad tracks, with an estimated cost of $3,560,000 and authority for the city to issue bonds to finance its portion.
Garth (project counsel/consultant) presented the resolution by phone and said the city anticipates applying a Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) cost‑share grant of about $1,000,000 toward construction reimbursements. The resolution authorizes the city to issue bonds in the future as necessary; it does not obligate the city to issue bonds immediately.
Commissioners raised cost‑inflation concerns after a KDOT notice that tariffication and other trade changes could increase project costs by an industry estimate of about 43 percent. Garth said the structure of any KDOT reimbursement would determine whether the city absorbed an increase; the commission can amend the authorization later to adjust the authorized amount if required.
Commission discussion also covered options to reduce costs by using in‑house crews for parts of the work and to apply stormwater and street funds where eligible. City staff noted that KDOT reimbursement is for construction cost and requires engineered plans; reimbursements are paid as contractor invoices are processed.
The commission adopted the resolution by roll call vote. Staff said next steps include final engineering, plan submittal to KDOT for the grant reimbursement, and preparing a financing plan that may use a mix of city street, stormwater funds and bond authority if needed.
