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Hesston council approves GAAP waiver, zoning changes and $20.50 monthly trash rate
Summary
At its Jan. 13 meeting, the Hesston City Council approved a GAAP waiver for the 2025 budget, two zoning changes, and a $20.50 residential trash and recycling rate; the council also approved several other routine actions and briefly met in executive session.
The Hesston City Council on Jan. 13, 2025, approved a waiver of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles reporting for the 2025 budget year, two zoning changes recommended by the Planning Commission, and a new residential trash and recycling rate of $20.50 per month. Mayor David Kauffman presided over the meeting at the Council Chambers.
Why it matters: The GAAP waiver lets the city follow Kansas cash-basis and budget laws for the 2025 budget year rather than GAAP accounting; the zoning approvals clear specific cases for commercial and residential development; and the trash-rate increase affects monthly utility bills for Hesston households.
Key actions and votes: Brad Unruh moved to approve Resolution No. 1182, authorizing the GAAP waiver for 2025; Clare Moore seconded and the motion passed 5-0. The council acknowledged Planning and Zoning minutes and approved Ordinance No. 130-2025-137, a zoning change to commercial for Case No. ZC-2024-001, on a 5-0 vote after no public comment was offered. For Case No. ZC-2024-002 (Ordinance No. 130-2025-138), Council member Susan Swartzendruber declared a conflict of interest and did not participate; Larry Fuqua moved to accept the Planning Commission recommendation and approve the ordinance, Clare Moore seconded, and the motion carried 4-0.
On rates, Michael Wallace moved to approve Ordinance No. 080-2025-024 setting the residential trash and recycling rate at $20.50 per month; Susan Swartzendruber seconded and the motion carried 5-0. The council also approved Vacation Order VA-2024-01 to vacate an easement in the West Embers II subdivision (motion by Clare Moore, second by Larry Fuqua, 5-0).
Other proceedings: The council appointed Grady Pauls to a three-year term on the Planning and Zoning Appeals Board (term to start January 2025 and end December 2027) by unanimous vote, and accepted and filed the 2024 Hesston Land Bank Report. At 6:40 p.m. the council entered a five-minute executive session under K.S.A. 75-4319(b)(2) for attorney-client privileged discussion about contract negotiations; the open meeting resumed at 6:45 p.m. with no binding action taken. The meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m.
The meeting record shows no public comments, no additional applicant information presented on the zoning cases, and no recorded dissent beyond the single conflict of interest declaration that reduced the quorum for one vote.
