December 1, 2025 Commission Minutes

GOODLAND CITY COMMISSION

Regular Meeting

December 1, 2025                                                                                                                 5:00 P.M.

Mayor Jason Showalter called the meeting to order with Vice-Mayor J. J. Howard and Commissioner Sarah Artzer responding to roll call.  Commissioner Ann Myers and Commissioner Brook Redlin were reported absent.

Also present were Jason Erhart –Chief of Police, Joshua Jordan – IT Director, Neal Thornburg – Director of Water and Wastewater, Danny Krayca – Director of Parks, Zach Hildebrand – Code Enforcement/Building Official, Mary Volk – City Clerk and Kent Brown – City Manager.

Mayor Showalter led Pledge of Allegiance

PUBLIC COMMENT

CONSENT AGENDA

1. 11/17/25 Commission Meeting Minutes
2. Appropriation Ordinances: 2025-23, 2025-23A and 2025-P23

ON A MOTION by Vice-Mayor Howard to approve Consent Agenda seconded by Commissioner Artzer.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 3-0. 

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

1. Ordinance 1807: Water Rate Increase for 2026 – Kent stated, this ordinance was discussed last meeting.  The ordinance increases base charge for the most common meters by $1.00.  A little more of an increase for bigger meters.  Water usage will increase five cents per 100 cubic feet in first two tiers then a third tier was added for large users at fifty cents more per 100 cubic feet per month.  The commercial rate increased to $1.275 per 100 cubic feet.  With rate change we are expecting a revenue increase of about $25,000, depending on customer behaviors.  Commissioner Artzer asked, most customers will see an increase of about $1.00 in winter months, what about in summer?  Kent stated, it will depend on customer usage in summer.  Shauna Johnson, Deputy Clerk and Utility Billing Clerk stated, in summer months usage is all over depending on customer habits.  Vice-Mayor Howard stated, I feel this is a minimal increase that is needed with increased costs.  Mayor Showalter stated, I appreciate staff working with Waterworth so we have the numbers to prove the increase is needed.  We do not like to increase rates, but need to when the numbers were presented.  ON A MOTION by Mayor Showalter to approve Ordinance 1807: Water Rate Increase for 2026 seconded by Vice-Mayor Howard.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 3-0.
2. Ordinance 1809: Repeal Additional Cost Adjustment for Extraordinary Power Cost – Kent stated, this ordinance is to repeal the extraordinary costs the city experienced from event in February 2021.  There are other electric ordinances being reviewed that will come to commission later.  This event was when the city had an electric bill of $1,500,000 and citizens have paid back the costs.  This repeals that section of code since money has been paid in full.  ON A MOTION by Vice-Mayor Howard to approve Ordinance 1809: Repeal Additional Cost Adjustment for Extraordinary Power Cost seconded by Commissioner Artzer.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 3-0.

FORMAL ACTIONS

1. Reappoint Harold Gillihan Local Housing Authority Board – Kent stated, Harold has been serving on Local Housing Authority Board and submitted an application for reappointment to the board.  Shelia Barnett, Housing Authority Executive Director recommends the appointment.  Mayor Showalter stated, I appreciate board volunteers.  ON A MOTION by Mayor Showalter to approve the reappointment of Harold Gillihan to the Local Housing Authority Board seconded by Commissioner Artzer.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 3-0. 
2. 2026 Renewal of BCBS Health Insurance – Kent stated, staff has worked with Jalaa Miller from IMA on the renewal of employee health insurance.  The recommended plan is decent with a proposed increase in city costs of 7.5%.  The city budgeted an 8% increase for renewal.  Jalaa stated, the renewal came at a 7.5% increase which is about $60,482 increase.  City is a self-funded plan and stop loss is biggest part of increase driving renewal.  There are no changes to the plan.  Medical trend for plan renewal is from 12-19% increase.  Staff discussed adding employee contributions, but our model shows same model as last year with no contributions by employees.  Plan remains grandfathered and with minimal increase, it seems appropriate to leave plan as it exists currently.  Your grandfather plan has self-submitting drug card which is the reason you do not see a large increase.  City is spending $1 per month per member which is below other plans that range from $150 to $216 per month per member.  I recommend leaving plan as it exists.  Mayor Showalter asked, what has city plan increased past two years?  Jalaa stated, it was about 7-8% increase last year and about 4% decrease year before.  Commissioner Artzer asked, are staff happy with plan?  Kent stated, we made one change last year increasing stop loss from $30,000 to $40,000.  There have been no changes considered this renewal.  Staff has no complaints with what plan provides.  Mayor Showalter stated, last two renewals have increased 7%.  I realize we have the increase budgeted, but total cost of plan is becoming uncomfortable.  I feel comfortable voting for renewal, but I feel we need to start considering an employee contribution.  I do not want to cut benefits but overall plan is expensive.  When we put together next budget, we need to look at what this plan looks like with an employee contribution.  Kent stated, a 7-8% increase seems to be a lot but this is not a big increase like most other communities are experiencing.  Mayor Showalter stated, if we make a change, it makes us less competitive.  I feel people across the state need to have discussions.  I will vote for renewal this year.  Commissioner Artzer stated, I have been looking in the market place on a personal basis, the cost for insurance is insane.  The costs are high everywhere and it is expensive.  Vice-Mayor Howard stated, the employee insurance is a benefit.  We do not pay the best but this makes us more appealing.  If they have to start paying 2-3%, the employees need notice of at least six months.  Mayor Showalter stated, I agree we cannot make that decision with this renewal.  Commissioner Artzer stated, we can discuss contributions later.  ON A MOTION by Commissioner Artzer to approve the renewal of the 2026 BCBS Health Insurance seconded by Vice-Mayor Howard.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 3-0.

DISCUSSION

1. Right of Way Management Ordinance – Zach stated, this ordinance is to protect the city.  It includes times contractor can work and permits are only good for a certain time period to make sure work area is cleaned up.  They cannot call in additional locates if work will not happen for a number of weeks.  It also adds fees for damages if city has to do repairs.  Contractor will have a time line to complete repairs but if not, we will charge 25% increase over our costs for repairs.  Pre-construction conferences are required to inform contractor.  Commissioner Artzer stated, I received a complaint from a citizen that they were digging early Sunday morning.  I informed them we are looking at this ordinance.  Zach stated, there is still a noise ordinance that can be enforced.  Vice-Mayor Howard stated, I think it sounds good and should have been in place years ago.  Kent stated, this has come to light recently with multiple contractors in town that have caused problems.  Commissioner Artzer asked, when can we vote on ordinance?  Zach stated, it will be on agenda next meeting. 
2. Follow up with USD 352 Vacant Property – Kent stated, the city purchased 321 Broadway at Sheriff Sale.  USD 352 is interested in moving house across from high school to this property.  The quiet title has been filed and conclusion of process is December 23^rd.  Bill Biermann would like to come to January meeting to discuss property transfer.  Mayor Showalter stated, I feel this is an appropriate use of property and look forward to discussing transfer with Bill.  Kent stated, the city paid a few hundred dollars but school will have to do some utility work at property. 

REPORTS

1. City Manager – 1.  Manager memo is in the packet.  2. We had an error occur with billing last week.  Shauna worked extra hard to correct all bills.  Notifications were put out that billings were incorrect but are getting resolved.  If a customer has questions, feel free to contact city office.  The corrections reduce the bills.  We appreciate customers patience and for working with us.  Errors are now corrected and bills mailed out on time.
2. City Commissioners

Vice-Mayor Howard – 1.  No Report 

Commissioner Artzer – 1.  Lights downtown and on Highway 24 look nice.

Commissioner Myers – 1.  Absent, No Report 

Commissioner Redlin – 1.  Absent, No Report 

• Mayor Showalter– 1.  I would like to ask the City Manager and Police Chief to declare a day for Frankie Hayes Day in Goodland.  A day in August will be good. 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

1. EXECUTIVE SESSION – Under the Authority of KSA 75-4319 (b) (1) for personnel matters of non-elected personnel – Mayor Showalter made a motion at 5:31 p.m. to recess into executive session under authority of K.S.A.75-4319 (b) (1) to discuss personnel matters of non-elected personnel not to exceed five minutes.   I request only City Commission be present.  5 min 2 JJ Vice-Mayor Howard seconded the motion.  MOTION carried by a VOTE of 3-0.  Meeting resumed at 5:36 p.m.

Kent stated, I would like to make a clarification on the utility billing error.  For people who receive bills through the mail, the correction was done before the bills were mailed.  Only citizens receiving electronic notifications received notice of the revised bill. 

ADJOURNMENT WAS HAD ON A MOTION BY Vice-Mayor Howard seconded by Commissioner Artzer.  Motion carried by unanimous VOTE; meeting adjourned at 5:38 p.m.  Next meeting is scheduled for December 15, 2025.

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ATTEST:                                                                               Jason Showalter, Mayor

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Mary P. Volk, City Clerk