October 5, 2026 Commission Minutes

GOODLAND CITY COMMISSION

Regular Meeting

October 5, 2026                                                                                                                    5:00 P.M.

Mayor Jason Showalter called the meeting to order with Vice-Mayor J. J. Howard, Commissioner Angie Cloyd, Commissioner Sandra Dumler and Commissioner Brook Redlin responding to roll call. 

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

Mayor Showalter led Pledge of Allegiance

PUBLIC COMMENT

  1. Jim Ross citizen stated, I want to discuss concerns with bikes, sidewalks and water.  I have been following discussions from your meetings.  I ride my bike often and prefer not to have a lot of restrictions where and how I can ride.  In general, I am in favor of sidewalks.  The concerns for sidewalks are for 8th Street.  It appears sidewalks on the north side would have fewer interruptions and less expensive; however, there will be blank spaces for winter snow shoveling.  If they are on south side it puts responsibility on property owner to scoop sidewalks.  If they are put in an area with nothing it is not comfortable.  Then regarding water, I received a post card for high usage.  One thing commission might consider is usage based on acreage.  If it has a larger lot, more water is used.    

CONSENT AGENDA

  1. 09/21/26 Commission Meeting Minutes
  2. Appropriation Ordinances: 2026-19, 2026-19A and 2026-P19

ON A MOTION by Commissioner Cloyd to approve Consent Agenda seconded by Vice-Mayor Howard.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0.

PRESENTATIONS & PROCLAMATIONS

  1. Waterworth Presentation: Water and Electric Funds – Aryan Chawla from Waterworth provided updated information on the water and electric utility funds.  Aryan stated, our goal today is going over models to show how funds are doing with current rates, then follow up with recommendations.  There are three things commission should be concerned with utilities: financial sustainability, reinvesting into the system for future projects and commission making affordable decisions for the city.  Waterworth’s model is a blend of information to keep commission informed.  With water model need to look at revenue required for operating expenses.  From 2022 to 2031 we have actual data then 3% inflation forecasted for future.  Current debt service is relatively stable, then city transfers funds to CIRF and MERF for capital expenditures and large maintenance projects.  This takes money from operating expenditures, but is brought back into model as capital expenditures.  Currently maintenance projects are minor.  Data in model shows revenue requirements for operating utility.  When we layer revenue from services set out by rates and other minor revenue received by city against expenses, debt service and CIRF and MER transfers, you are not making a lot of ground with your cash position.  Our goal is to plan for the future so cash does not continue to dwindle if rates are not reviewed and adjusted accordingly.  In current model, it is staying above 3-month operating threshold needed for unexpected items.  In future we will map out plan to keep cash above threshold needed.  There has been a lot of review and time dedicated to the electric fund.  Again, future operating expenses have 3% inflation factor.  This does not include power purchased.  Those costs have stalled at about $3,300,000 but are due to increase in future.  It is difficult to determine what increase will be.  You have new proposed debt service for Grain Mill and Bakery project and funds transferred to CIRF and MERF for future projects.  The Grain Mill and Bakery is about $10,000,000 project.  It is not completely funded by utility as there will be revenue contributions from them for the project.  There are other projects that are over shadowed by this project.  Revenues are fairly steady and need to continue to discuss how you are plan to stay consistently above threshold with major project.  For both utilities, CIRF and MERF balances are healthy and staff is doing good with long term planning for the future.  Is there something commission recommends for next presentation?  Commissioner Redlin stated, I appreciate the graphs to show forecasts and aid in decision.  Kent stated, Aryan is working with staff on different options and how they affect thresholds.  Aryan stated, for example in 2027 if increase rate 3% it helps, but not much.  Increase of 5% allows you to stay above required threshold if all other factors remain same.  Commissioner Redlin stated, I would like to see different scenarios and affect to get idea where we need to sustain.  We want to look out for the consumer.  Aryan stated, in the next presentation we will give different breakdowns and affects to utility.  Commissioner Dumler stated, I would like to have the same for electric utility.  Commissioner Redlin stated, if we do not do anything we will be worse off.  Mayor Showalter stated, I look at it like my home budget in planning for future to determine where we want to be and how to get there.  Kent stated, Aryan will have examples of how to get where we need to be.  We need to continue analyzing annually to know our position.  There will be push back with any increase.  On electric model the Grain Mill and Bakery project shows a big capital expenditure.  We do not know what additional revenue we will receive when they begin operating.  They will be responsible for usage and expenditures beyond economic grant.  They will not use that much water for a commercial enterprise.  We will have costs associated to purchase power but will have additional revenue.  Mayor Showalter stated, costs will depend on our relationship with Merchant McIntyre moving forward to determine ways to utilize grants to work through future capital expenses.  Mayor Showalter thanked Aryan for his work with staff and presentation.

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

FORMAL ACTIONS

DISCUSSION

  1. Audit Request: SCCD – Kent stated, the amendment to SCCD interlocal agreement was approved.  If commission wants an audit, this is time to request to get on Harolds schedule.  It will be at least a couple months before he can complete.  He provided an estimate of $5,900.  Commissioner Dumler asked, does it have to be an audit or can it be a review?  Kent stated, SCCD has financial statements but uncertain what Harolds stance would be.  It is a single audit.  He can review the financial statements but if you want something different, we would have to negotiate work with Harold.  Commissioner Dumler stated, an audit has certain criteria they review.  Kent stated, Harold indicated this will be a financial audit not an organizational audit.  He will perform the audit to determine if qualified or non-qualified opinion as to whether expenses were proper.  You have to be clear up front if you want a different result.  If you want organizational audit in addition to financial, costs will increase.  Commissioner Cloyd asked, is travel always included or can it be completed virtual.  Kent stated, there are items he has to review on site.  He still comes on site couple days for city audit, but most done virtual.  Commissioner Dumler stated, at this point I feel we need to do something.  Vice-Mayor Howard stated, I am not in favor of an audit, they have tax statements.  They use the City and County money to make our city grow.  Commissioner Dumler stated, I do not feel a tax return will accomplish what we need that is why I questioned if there was something else that could be done.  Mayor Showalter asked, can we reach out to Harold to request a review instead of an audit.  Commissioner Dumler stated, we want to make sure everything is accounted for but do not need an in-depth review.  Mayor Showalter stated, I am not in favor of a full audit but feel there has been enough concern raised, we need to have it reviewed.  With our budget we need to make sure we account for all money.  

REPORTS

  1. City Manager – 1.  Manager memo and September month end fund balance report are in the packet.  2. Danny stated, I have been in Parks Department 21 years.  I have two full-time and 2 seasonal employees.  I would like to have another seasonal employee next year to help with weed eating and mowing as it is difficult to keep up.  Starting in spring, full-time employees mow every day.  We mow a lot of property between the parks and city facilities, about 1,000,000 square feet or 26 acres of buffalo or blue grass.  We also provide a mower to GAC to mow ball park.  We weed eat every other week.  If wind is not blowing, we spray.  Annually we edge all sidewalks.  In fall we begin aerating all irrigated turf and in October apply fertilizer.  Mid-October we blow out and unhook all lines to winterize property.  There are about 30 properties with lines that need winterized.  We work with Water Department to winterize cemetery.  The restrooms are kept open as long as we can, but try to start shutting them down one a week to be done by November 1.  We have another application for spraying after first light frost.  Mayor Showalter stated, the parks are good example of what is good about Goodland.  I know the vandalism bothers you.  Danny stated, we have set up a reservation process for the parks because they are used a lot.  When we discussed water conservation, we cutback 40% but it was hurting parks so went to 30% and seemed to do better.  Usually, we have some rain to help, but this year was tough.  All parks are different and require different level of care.  Commissioner Redlin stated, the parks look good but you also do a good job maintaining equipment and shop.  Danny stated, we service equipment in winter.  Commissioner Dumler asked, what are your five-year goals?  Danny stated, we have Parks and Recreation Board working on plan.  My budget is so tight, and playgrounds are expensive without grants.  I would like to update shelters at Phillips Park.  We just reconditioned play equipment but it is old.  I am trying to determine how to keep parks operating and in good shape without eliminating a park.  Every park is utilized.  We complete small projects but have minimal funds thar are utilized annually.  The pool is difficult to maintain.  Slides were refurbished this year.  We re-paint pool every 4-6 years which is a big job.  Kent stated, one thing we do not think about is the trees planted each yea.  The number is minimal with number of parks.  Danny stated, we removed two big dead trees this year in Chambers.  We help other departments and they help us because we do so much work in house.  Commissioner Cloyd stated, there is a lot of parks compared to other communities which is a lot to maintain.  We appreciate all you do.  Are there others that have the knowledge you have on sprinklers?  Danny stated, we need to train someone but we are so busy.  Our next project is sprinkler system for Chambers.  We have new sprinklers in Phillips and half of Steever Park.  Kent stated, he has a lot of sprinklers to maintain, in addition to cemetery.   He has made major strides.  Recent major projects are Phillips Park sprinklers, shade structure at Steever Park and Pickleball courts in Chambers Park.  Only a portion of the alcohol tax goes into special parks which totals about $10,000 annually.  It does not go far.  3.  There have been concerns raised with trademark for water tower designs.  Once we paint tower, we do not want it to be a problem. We are still working through details but it has caused some hesitation.  4.  Conner Hampton contacted PCH for housing project.  They have contacted the engineer to get timeframe for review.  Biggest step is arranging crews to travel to Goodland.  They are still interested in moving forward.    5.  Commission tour of city facilities is scheduled for October 20th at 3:30 p.m.  Will have schedule at next meeting.
  2. City Commissioners

Vice-Mayor Howard – 1.  Flatlanders was a big hit with a lot of people.  Appreciate what SCCD does to bring the vendors and people out.  Employees always do a good job.  Appreciate all of them. 

Commissioner Dumler – 1.  Flatlanders was well done this year.  I had to work and city crews were out at 5:30 a.m.  It amazes me what goes on behind the scenes that people do not see.

Commissioner Cloyd – 1.  Thanks everyone for work on Flatlanders and cleaning up trees that fell with wind storm.  Appreciate the communication with fog seal; streets look good.

Commissioner Redlin – 1.  Have there been discussions on how to sustain power for the Grain Mill and Bakery project since they are requesting a lot of power.  Mayor Showalter stated, that is part of information in electric rates.  Kent stated, their concern for backup power on fire pump within building has come up in recent past.  They wanted specific power for that.  The other part is we will connect them with existing line along 16th Street, but there is not enough power.  However, will be able to use that connection for backup.  That brought up question on capacity we will need to address going forward.  The power plant can provide power for either the town or them, but not both. 

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 6:13 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 ten minutes.   I request the City Commission, City Manager, City Attorney and Chief of Police be present.  Vice-Mayor Howard seconded the motion.  MOTION carried by a VOTE of 5-0.  Meeting resumed at 6:23 p.m.

ADJOURNMENT WAS HAD ON A MOTION BY Commissioner Redlin seconded by Commissioner Cloyd.  Motion carried by unanimous VOTE; meeting adjourned at 6:25 p.m.  Next meeting is scheduled for October 19, 2026. 

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ATTEST:                                                                               Jason Showalter, Mayor

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Mary P. Volk, City Clerk

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