The Liberal City Commission on Thursday approved purchases of solar walking‑path lights from First Light Technologies for four city parks and waived the city’s purchasing policy to expedite installation.

Parks staff described a plan to install bollard-style fixtures at Country Club Park and pole‑mounted fixtures at South Bluebonnet Park, Mahurin (Huron) Park and McCray Park. Staff said Country Club would use short bollards spaced about 30 feet apart to minimize light spill into adjacent residential properties; the other parks will use 20‑foot pole‑mounted fixtures. The lights are solar, come with a bumper‑to‑bumper five‑year warranty and a battery life the presenter described as “10 plus years.”

Commissioners approved two related motions: first to waive the purchasing policy and then to accept the purchase. The commission approved an amount not to exceed $348,000 for Country Club, South Bluebonnet and Mahurin parks to be funded from the streets, drainage and capital improvement portion of the city’s 1¢ sales tax, and an amount not to exceed $52,000 for McCray Park lighting to be funded from the crime‑prevention portion of the same tax. Combined, those authorizations total $400,000. Both motions passed 5‑0.

Parks staff said the city would use existing poles where possible. Staff also explained the choice of vendor followed research and references; the presenter cited a successful installation at Seward County Community College and said the company has work for federal installations and military bases. The parks presenter noted the replacement parts and warranty support were important after the city experienced multiple failures from a previous solar provider at McCray Park (the presenter said about six fixtures had failed under the prior system).

No public opposition was recorded at the meeting. Staff said the lights should increase safety and accessibility for evening park users and that the company will provide a short demonstration video in the project packet for commissioners.