Tonganoxie reports ARPA spending pace, KDHE loan draws and downtown building review

At the April 20 meeting, City Manager Mr. Porter delivered the first-quarter fiscal update for 2026, highlighting ARPA-obligated funds, sales tax collections, capital projects and the city’s debt profile.

Porter said the city has expended roughly 58% of ARPA funds obligated for engineering and construction observation on wastewater treatment plant improvements and is working with the contractor and consultants to spend remaining funds before a statutory deadline about nine months away. “We do retain about $319,000 in funds,” he said, and staff will monitor progress to avoid jeopardizing the ARPA award.

On revenues, city sales and use tax collections are slightly behind last year’s pace when measured month to month but down less than 2% overall across the city and county shares in the year-to-date comparison. Porter noted a KDHE loan tied to the sewer project, recording an initial disbursement shown on the treasury report; the loan totals roughly $6.345 million and the first remittance of loan-funded activity showing in the report is just under $189,000.

Staff also gave an update on downtown city-owned facilities. Mr. Brookovich said staff have been inventorying historical features, digitizing records, and assessing roof and structural problems. The city is considering a demolition schedule for structures in poor condition while exploring options to salvage murals and other historically significant elements in coordination with the historical society.

Porter and staff said they will continue reporting monthly and will provide documents on sidewalk connection plans and capital project milestones as those items move toward construction bidding.