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Ellsworth council passes routine resolutions, renews beverage licenses (some contingent) and approves early payoff of police vehicle lease
Summary
Council approved a package of routine 2026 housekeeping resolutions (including a GAAP waiver and fee schedule), renewed multiple cereal malt beverage licenses (with contingent approvals for two pending state stamps), and authorized early prepayment of a police vehicle lease to save interest.
At its meeting, the Ellsworth City Council approved several routine and housekeeping items: annual resolutions, business license renewals, and an early lease prepayment for a police vehicle.
Resolutions: The council approved Resolution 2025-34 (waiving GAAP financial-statement preparation for 2026 under the cited Kansas statute) and Resolution 2025-35 (establishing mitigation and assistance fees for city equipment and labor when aiding other jurisdictions). Council also approved Resolution 2025-36 to establish the 2026 city fee schedule. Staff described these as typical annual items; discussion was limited and each resolution passed after a motion, second and voice vote.
License renewals: The council considered cereal malt beverage license renewals for 2026 and approved renewals for Casey's (Pizza Hut), Gene's Heartland Foods, Coachin' 4 and Ampride. Because the state has created a backlog for the required state stamp, the council separately approved contingent renewals for Kwik Shop and American Legion Post 194 on condition that the businesses deliver the state documentation to the city clerk's office by Jan. 1, 2026.
Vehicle lease prepayment: Staff recommended early full prepayment of the lease-purchase agreement for a 2023 Dodge Durango pursuit vehicle held with Citizens State Bank & Trust (Ellsworth) to save roughly a few thousand dollars over the remaining term. Council approved the prepayment by motion and voice vote after brief discussion about the cost difference between paying now and making scheduled payments.
Votes: The transcript records voice votes for these items; meeting minutes in the transcript show affirmative 'Aye' responses but do not include roll-call tallies for individual members on the record.
Staff reports and next steps: After the approvals, staff updated the council on infrastructure and operational issues, notably the poor condition of the 3rd Street bridge (rusted iron and broken concrete) and a KDOT-reimbursed HONCO project for which reimbursement and financing options were discussed. The council recessed into a brief executive session to discuss the police chief position and returned to adjourn the meeting.
