Humboldt administrator reports animal shelter opening, audit completion and local events

Humboldt — In his March 9 report to the City Council, City Administrator Cole Herder listed completed and upcoming city operations, services and events.

Herder said the new animal shelter/pound is complete and held an open house the prior weekend. The 2025 financial audit was completed March 5; Herder thanked City Clerk Staci Johnson for covering audit responsibilities. He said carpet installation at City Hall is scheduled to begin May 4 and noted the Low Income Energy Assistance Program application period runs Jan. 20–March 31 with maximum gross-income eligibility listed in the minutes ($1,956 for one person, increasing by about $688 per additional person).

Herder also announced job openings for police officer, police lieutenant, maintenance worker and City Hall custodian and said the city will advertise for pool managers and lifeguards soon. Community events listed in his report included the Humboldt Lions' 75th Annual Easter Egg Hunt on April 4, the Owl Creek Jamboree April 17–19, and the Kansas Sampler Big Kansas Road Trip visit on May 2. He said a grant application for a restroom south of City Hall was unsuccessful but that he plans to re-apply in a future funding round. A public "Community Conversation" is scheduled for April 28 at the Humboldt Public Library.

The minutes also record staff discussion of a shipping container storage request for the new dog pound; the council requested that the city attorney and administrator research legal and operational requirements and return with more information at the April 13 meeting.