Shawnee council adopts 2026 budget, sets mill levy at 23.249 after close votes; approves park fixtures and fire apparatus

The Shawnee City Council approved the city's 2026 budget Monday, adopting a mill levy of 23.249 following a 4-3 vote after a failed effort to lower the levy.

City Manager Paul Kramer presented the budget overview during a public hearing in council chambers; four Shawnee residents spoke during the hearing. Council member Tony Gillette moved to decrease the mill levy by 0.949, but that motion failed 4-3. Council member Jeanne Murphy then moved to approve the proposed budget, including a mill levy of 23.249; that motion passed 4-3, setting the city's budget for 2026.

The meeting recording also states that the council voted to exceed the revenue-neutral rate of 22.3 in the 2026 budget process and records that the vote "passed 5 to 3 with Mayor Mickey Sandifer casting an individual vote in favor." The meeting opening notes that Council member Angela Steens was absent and that seven members were in attendance; the recording therefore contains inconsistent numeric vote details between statements. The article reports vote counts as recorded in the meeting transcript.

In other formal actions, the council approved a direct purchase of tables, benches and trash receptacles for Garrett Park from a vendor to avoid additional markup; that purchase was approved unanimously, 7-0. The council also approved financing for the purchase of an aerial fire apparatus for the Shawnee Fire Department at no more than $1,635,000 using general obligation bonds; that measure passed 7-0.

The council received an update on a street-improvement project on 50 First Street between Quivira and Black Swan Drive to address stormwater facilities and add curbs, gutters and sidewalks. Public Works Director Kevin Manning provided an overview of the current roadway and presented options and resident feedback; no formal action on that project was recorded in the meeting summary.

Mayor Mickey Sandifer declared September Service Dog Month during ceremonial remarks earlier in the meeting. The city announced that City Hall offices will be closed Monday, Sept. 1, for Labor Day and that the council will next meet on Monday, Sept. 8, at 6 p.m.

Votes at a glance

- Motion to exceed the revenue-neutral rate of 22.3 in the 2026 budget process: recorded in the meeting transcript as "passed 5 to 3" with Mayor Mickey Sandifer casting an individual vote in favor (mover/second not specified in transcript). The meeting also notes seven members were present; transcript contains inconsistent vote counts.

- Motion by Council member Tony Gillette to decrease the mill levy by 0.949: failed, recorded 4-3.

- Motion by Council member Jeanne Murphy to approve the 2026 budget with a mill levy of 23.249: passed, recorded 4-3; this motion "set Shawnee's budget for 2026," per the meeting summary.

- Direct purchase of tables, benches and trash receptacles for Garrett Park (to reduce vendor markup): approved 7-0.

- Financing for purchase of an aerial fire apparatus for the Shawnee Fire Department, not to exceed $1,635,000, via general obligation bonds: approved 7-0.

(If additional vote roll-call details are required, the transcript does not provide full member-by-member roll-call for each tally.)