Greensburg council approves GAAP waiver, website migration and records $60,000 donation

Greensburg

The Greensburg City Council on Jan. 5 approved the city's annual GAAP waiver (Resolution 2026-01), voted to enter a website migration agreement with CivicPlus and heard annual reports from the Land Bank and Public Building Commission. The council also recorded a $60,000 donation placed into the city's donation fund.

Why it matters: The GAAP waiver formally permits cash-basis accounting for the prior fiscal year, a routine but required action for the city's financial reporting. The CivicPlus agreement will move the city's website to a new hosting platform at an increased annual cost and places Greensburg in the vendor's migration queue. The reported private donation and ongoing grant applications affect funding available for parks, airport improvements and housing projects.

Council business and votes

Mayor Matt Christenson called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and the council approved the meeting agenda (motion by Wayne Keeton, seconded by Nathan Charlton) and the consent agenda, each by 4-0 votes. No citizen comments were offered.

The council convened the Greensburg Land Bank annual meeting, where Administrator Stacy Barnes reported four properties were sold in 2025 and eight were accepted into the bank. Barnes said several city-owned sites, including the property across from City Hall, Starlight Park and a recently acquired house on S. Grove Street, are currently in the bank but are not being offered for sale; staff will work next year to remove the park from the bank after confirming deed history.

Council members then met as the Public Building Commission and approved the Jan. 6, 2025 PBC minutes (motion by Mark Trummel, second Wayne Keeton). Staff reported that Big Well sales tax and rental payments continue to be collected and that the PBC bond was refinanced and now sunsets in 2036, shortening the loan's original term. The PBC elected officers for the coming year: Matt Christenson as president, Wayne Keeton as vice president and Nathan Charlton as secretary (motion by Haley Kern, second Mark Trummel; vote 4-0).

Finance and contracts

Back in open session, the council approved Resolution 2026-01, the annual GAAP waiver for FY2025 (motion by Mark Trummel, second Wayne Keeton; vote 4-0). Administrator Barnes explained the resolution permits cash-basis accounting for the prior fiscal year, consistent with past practice.

Barnes also presented a one-year CivicPlus website migration agreement to move Greensburg's site to the vendor's new platform. The proposed renewal price is $6,825 annually, up from the current $5,179. Barnes told the council the city's renewal is not due until June and that approving the agreement now would place Greensburg in CivicPlus's migration queue while payment would be due in June. Council members noted prior formal proposals for website hosting were in the same price range; the council approved entering the migration agreement (motion by Wayne Keeton, second Haley Kern; vote unanimous).

Reports, grants and donation

Barnes provided a packet with 2025 project highlights and a tourism report from Tourism Director Heather Bailey; year-end financial statements were not yet available as staff continues to process invoices. Staff reported multiple grant efforts: a KDHE waste-tire grant (50/50 match) to purchase recycled tire mulch for the Big Well Park playground (Barnes estimated total cost under $5,000 but a formal quote was not yet received) and ongoing work with airport engineer Lochner on a Kansas Airport Improvement Grants application for runway paving (application due Jan. 31). KDOT and PEC will conduct a field check on Jan. 15 for the Transportation Alternatives Grant-funded sidewalk project and will meet with Superintendent Brandie Waldschmidt to discuss school-area designs.

Barnes said the city received a $60,000 donation from Mr. Charles Wise at year end; the check was placed in the donation fund and some of the fund has been placed in certificates of deposit. Barnes estimated the donation fund balance to be over $200,000 and said Mr. Wise's cumulative donations exceed $500,000. Work has also begun on a West Lincoln Avenue housing project funded through a KHRC Moderate Income Housing Grant.

Other items and next steps

Outgoing Council Member Haley Kern was presented a certificate of appreciation for 13 years of service; a certificate for Pam Reves will be presented later. Barnes noted the next council meeting, the first for incoming members, is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 20 at 6 p.m. With no further business, Mayor Christenson adjourned the meeting at 6:26 p.m.

The council recorded the following formal actions at the meeting: agenda approval (4-0), consent agenda approval (4-0), PBC minutes approval (4-0), PBC officer slate approval (4-0), Resolution 2026-01 approval (4-0), and approval to enter the CivicPlus website migration agreement (unanimous).