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Council keeps State Debt Set-Off program; one member votes no over changes to fees
Summary
The Lindsborg City Council voted 7-1 on Nov. 3 to sign the State of Kansas Debt Set-Off Agreement, keeping the city's participation in the program used to collect unpaid utilities, fines, and EMS charges. Councilmember Swanson cast the lone dissent over changes that shift collection fees to debtors.
The Lindsborg City Council voted 7-1 on Nov. 3 to continue participation in the State of Kansas Debt Set-Off Program after reviewing an updated agreement that the state issued for the first time in more than a decade. Councilmember John Presley moved to sign the agreement; Councilmember Rebecca Van Der Wege seconded the motion, which passed with Councilmember Joshua Swanson voting no.
City staff said the updated agreement includes four substantive changes: a new agreement after more than 10 years, placement of the collection fee onto the debtor rather than the city (the state will retain the fee), potential appeal fees if the city fails to appear at formal hearings, and updated contact information requirements. The Set-Off Program is used to recover unpaid utility bills, municipal court fines, and EMS charges; the Collection Bureau of Kansas (CBK) currently submits charges to the state on the city's behalf, though staff said the city wants the option to submit directly in the future.
Councilmember Presley moved to approve the agreement. The motion was recorded as passing 7-1 by roll call vote. The minutes do not specify the exact dollar impact to the city's FY2026 budget from the fee-shift; the record states only that the collection fee will be charged to the debtor going forward.
Next steps: the signed agreement will keep Lindsborg in the state program; staff may continue to use CBK or submit charges directly if the city later decides to change collection vendors.
