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Goddard council approves bond authorization, rezonings, equipment purchases and selects Olsson for comprehensive plan
Summary
At its Jan. 20 meeting, the Goddard City Council unanimously approved a set of routine and policy actions including bond authorization for 2026 sewer and street projects, rezoning and multiple final plats, purchase of Tasers and a patrol vehicle, and selection of Olsson to prepare a 10‑year comprehensive plan.
The Goddard City Council on Jan. 20 approved a package of financing, land‑use and equipment actions that officials said will keep city projects on schedule without raising property taxes.
Council voted 4‑0 to adopt a resolution authorizing bonds related to the 2026 Sewer and Street Improvements and to approve several land‑use items, equipment purchases and firm selections. A consent agenda motion also added Rachel Brooke Estates Phase III paving to the city's 10‑year capital improvement plan for debt‑limit exemption.
The actions at a glance: • Bond authorization: Council approved a resolution to authorize 2026 Sewer & Street Improvements bond financing under K.S.A. 14‑570 et seq., described by bond counsel Kevin Cowan as a measure to allow advantageous federal tax allocation in connection with the city's annual bond issue. Vote: 4‑0. • Rezoning: Council adopted an ordinance to rezone property at the southeast corner of 183rd and U.S.‑54 from C‑2 and PUD to I‑2 (Light Industrial) to allow construction of light industrial flex space. Community Development Director Micah Scoggan said the Planning Commission approved the request 7‑0; Council approved the ordinance (Ordinance 1033) 4‑0. • Final plats: The council approved final plats for the Goddard Public Works Addition, City North Park re‑plat, and Goddard City Center 3rd Addition. Scoggan said the Public Works building is expected to be finished in December 2026 and a new Police Station planned for 2028. Votes: all 4‑0. • Equipment purchases: Police Chief Lance Beagley requested purchase of sixteen Taser‑10 units from Axon for $60,300 over five years (with a specified payment schedule); CFO Brooke Carroll said the funds will come from the Police operating budget. Council approved the Taser purchase 4‑0. The council also approved buying a 2026 Chevrolet Tahoe for $86,801 (vehicle, upfitting and decals) for an additional patrol vehicle to support a planned fifteenth officer; vote 4‑0. • Development financing/assessments: Council approved a petition and resolution to proceed with Phase 3 paving improvements in Rachel Brooke Estates, allowing the developer to provide a surety bond in lieu of an irrevocable letter of credit as permitted by city code. Vote 4‑0 (Resolution 26‑08). • Comprehensive plan: After staff interviews and reference checks, the council selected the firm Olsson (including the Sharon Woods option) to prepare a new 10‑year comprehensive plan and directed staff to begin contract negotiations. Councilmembers cited Olsson’s community engagement strengths; vote 4‑0.
Why it matters: The combined approvals move a set of infrastructure projects, development plats and purchasing decisions forward while city leaders emphasized the financial position allows those projects to proceed without an increase in property taxes. Mayor George Liebe told the council the city’s financial position supports three major projects — North Park, a new Public Works facility and water looping — without a tax increase.
What to watch next: The bond authorization allows the City to include the 2026 Sewer & Street Improvements in the city’s annual bond issue and to execute a favorable federal tax allocation strategy; staff will return with contract language and further financing steps as required. The Water Looping Project and related easement acquisitions are addressed in a separate ordinance the council also adopted at this meeting.
