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Commissioners reach agreement on 2025 budget
Commissioners reach agreement on 2025 budget with decrease of 2.9 mills, no reduction in county services Proposed budget set for adoption during Aug. 28 Commission meeting LAWRENCE, Kan. – The Board of County Commissioners reached a tentative agreement on July 16 on an approximately $201.3 million budget for 2025. They agreed on a mill levy of 41.298 mills, which is a decrease of 2.911 mills from 2024. This is the third consecutive year that the County Commission has reduced the mill levy. Two mills were reduced in 2024 and one mill was reduced in 2023. One mill is one dollar per $1,000 assessed value. The 2025 budget included growth in property values (assessed valuation) of 6.89% compared to 10.98% the year before. The rate of property value growth in addition to reducing the Employee Benefits Fund by $4 million and moving $767,000 in behavioral health items to the mental health sales tax fund, allowed commissioners to reduce the mill levy by $5.9 million in the general fund. The general fund is the largest and most general purpose of the county’s budgeted funds. The 2025 budget does not eliminate any current county services. Commissioners Karen Willey, Shannon Reid and Patrick Kelly reviewed more than 50 funding requests totaling $20.1 million from county departments and community partners. Community partners that received new or expanded funding included: • $2.8 million in one-time capital funds for supportive housing projects with DCCCA, Cardinal Housing Network, Inc., Ninth Street Missionary Baptist Church and the City of Lawrence as well as $600,000 to support a new flexible Housing Subsidy Pool to help individuals who need supportive housing. • $45,000 for an additional preventions program case manager for the truancy program for O’Connell Children’s Shelter, Inc. • $28,000 for Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health to offset rising costs of vaccines.
Last chance to win prize, Topeka St. Jude Dream Home
TOPEKA (KSNT) – Tickets for this year’s Topeka St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway are going fast, here’s how to make sure you won’t miss out. Fewer than 1,000 tickets remain for this year’s Topeka St. Jude Dream Home. All of the funds collected from northeast Kansans reserving tickets goes to helping the children and families […]
Lawrence Beer Co. wins Red Cross Battle of the Breweries Blood Drive in Lawrence
LAWRENCE, Kan. (WIBW) - The Lawrence Beer Co. won the Red Cross Battle of the Breweries Blood Drive in Lawrence, Kan. Red Cross officials announced the traveling battle trophy will be presented to Lawrence Beer Co. for their win in the Battle of the Breweries Blood Drive at a date to be determined.
Junction City says goodbye to Dinkel
Junction City said goodbye to its longtime city manager Allen Dinkel on Wednesday in a retirement reception at the Municipal Building in Junction City. Dinkel, who has served 35 years in local government and the last 10 in Junction City said he doesn’t have any concrete plans at this time during retirement, but he hopes to spend most of it with family.
The Junction City Rodeo is this weekend
The 30th annual Junction City Rodeo is this Friday, July 19, and Saturday, July 20, at the Geary County 4-H Fairgrounds Arena. The rodeo begins at 7:30 p.m. on both nights. The theme for Friday night is 'Tough Enough to Wear Pink' and Saturday night's theme is 'Red, White and Blue.'
$62.6 million makeover set to close 18th St. Bridge for 2 years
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (KCTV) - A $62.6 million makeover is set to close Kansas City’s 18th Street Bridge for two years. Kansas Governor Laura Kelly says that on Thursday, July 18, the U.S. Department of Transportation awarded the Kansas Department of Transportation a grant worth $62.6 million to replace the 18th Street Bridge in Kansas City, Kan.
Be Well Barton County giving away bikes, helmets July 20
In 2022, a record 1,084 cyclists were killed in crashes with vehicles, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Tens of thousands more riders are injured each year while on their bicycles. That makes bicycle safety all the more important. Katelyn Sigler, educator at the Barton County Health Department, said Be Well Barton County is hosting a Bike Rodeo at Central Baptist Church, 3301 Lakin Ave. in Great Bend, on Saturday, July 20.
Splash pad in Great Bend fixed and open again
The City of Great Bend Public Lands Department announced that the pump at the splash pad at Veterans Memorial Park has been successfully replaced. The splash pad will be open again starting today, July 18. The city apologizes for any inconvenience; the splash pad is a new favorite summer activity,...
Law enforcement standoff ends in SW Topeka
TOPEKA (KSNT) – Dozens of law enforcement officers were called to a neighborhood in southwest Topeka Thursday afternoon where a standoff occurred. 27 News was told by a Shawnee County Sheriff’s Deputy at the scene that deputies were called to the 2800 block of SW Indian Hills Road. A deputy spotted an individual with a […]
Topeka personal trainer offers gym time, training
TOPEKA (KSNT) – A Topeka man is overcoming adversity, opening a new gym to the fitness community that provides a unique approach to training. Chaz Coates has been a fitness instructor since 2017. After suffering a medical setback that forced him to take time away from his business, he recently rebuilt his gym in a […]
🎥Saline County's Second Annual National Night Out — strengthening community ties
Saline County Emergency Management invites residents to join over 38 million neighbors across 18,000 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, and military bases worldwide for National Night Out. Event Details. Date: Tuesday, August 13, 2024. Time: 5:30 PM to 7:30 p.m.Location: Jerry Ivey Park, 735 E. Magnolia Rd, Salina,...
2026 four star WR discusses Kansas State visit
While much of the attention has been on the 2025 recruiting class, Kansas State has hosted a few 2026 visitors. Texas quarterback Grant Smith was a major visitor in the 2026 class as was Oklahoma wide receiver Mason James. The Norman native visited K-State on June 22nd. “The visit was really good. The coaching staff […] The post 2026 four star WR discusses Kansas State visit appeared first on On3.
Church cancels clothing giveaway that was scheduled for late July
TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) - A community clothing giveaway that had been scheduled for late July at an East Topeka church has been canceled, organizers said. Organizers say the clothing giveaway had been scheduled from noon to 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 27, in the Fellowship Hall of Mount Carmel Missionary Baptist Church, 610 S.E. Lime,
Former Kansas football coach Mark Mangino to be inducted into Kansas Sports Hall of Fame
Over the lifespan of Kansas football, the Mark Mangino era was one of the most successful in program history – one that reached new expectations, new heights, and brought lasting memories to a generation of Jayhawk fans. Now, the former head coach is being recognized for his contributions to...
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