Arkansas City Commission approves KDOT supplemental agreement, updates fire contract and buys road roller; staff reports wastewater, CDBG and splash‑pad plans

The Arkansas City Commission approved three resolutions at its meeting and received staff updates on wastewater treatment issues, a pending Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application and community requests for a splash pad.

The commission voted to enter a supplemental agreement with the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) clarifying responsibilities for pavement replacement and utility relocations tied to the U.S. 77 realignment around the Struthersville area. The agreement covers relocation of a lift station, closure of the Struthersville wastewater treatment facility and routing wastewater to Patterson Park and to the Arkansas City treatment plant for processing.

Randy, the city manager, said the supplemental agreement “clarifies the responsibilities related to the public utility relocations and the jurisdiction, ownership and maintenance of the water and sanitary sewer infrastructure.” He said the state project has been in the works for several years and construction is expected to span future construction seasons.

The commission also approved an updated interlocal agreement among Arkansas City, the city of Winfield and Cowley County Rural Fire District No. 6 for fire protection service in the Struthersville area. Under the updated arrangement staff said the cost is assessed as 5 mills for the area and is split equally between Arkansas City and Winfield; the agreement period was described as covering 2026 through the end of 2031.

Separately,…