City Council Tackles Budget, Housing, and Development

2027 Budget

• Council held a hearing on exceeding the 38.95-mill proposed rate; the resolution passed.
• Final approval is scheduled for a special meeting Sept. 28.
• Budget includes merit-based raises of up to 4% based on performance reviews.

Public Infrastructure

• Discussed adding 30-50 affordable housing lots and annexation. The main hurdle is a $2 million sewer extension. Council will continue exploring state grants and KDHE requirements, as they do not want the cost to fall on the city.
• A new $50,000 line item was introduced for sidewalks in areas lacking pedestrian access.

Public Safety

• Council approved replacing two yield signs at Hampton and Cheyenne with stop signs.
• Approved a code exemption for small consumer-grade aerial fireworks during pre-game introductions, coordinated with the fire department.

City Operations

• The golf course approved a Simplot quote of up to $35,247.41 for an injection system and chemical treatment to clear irrigation lines.
• Looked into a council chamber upgrade for AV & Streaming to improve remote capabilities. 
• Decision to buy new printer pending on buyout pricing.

Economic Development Funding

• Council debated the annual $50,000 economic development allocation.
• A proposal was suggested to cut the allocation to $25,000, citing transparency and communication as concerns.