News Flash

Welcome to the first edition of Direct From City Hall - your twice-monthly source on city news, decisions, and projects – all in one place.

Each edition gives you:

• What’s been decided – Key actions from recent City Commission meetings and other decisions affecting our community.
• What’s happening – Updates on projects currently underway.
• What’s next – A look ahead at upcoming projects, opportunities for input, and other things on the horizon for Abilene.

Stay informed and engaged – sign up for email or text notifications so you never miss an update!

You can also browse past editions anytime on our City News archive page.

Budget Talks Underway 

The City Commission and city staff are currently in the middle of this year's budget discussions. This is a process that helps set priorities for the year ahead while balancing the needs and resources of our community. As with any budget cycle, the decisions we make today will help define the services, programs, and infrastructure our residents and visitors rely on.

Naturally, questions, concerns, and differing viewpoints are part of these discussions, especially during a time of transition in city leadership. The city's financial position, like that of many municipalities, is the result of years of decisions, changing economic conditions, and evolving community needs. While leadership changes may bring new perspectives, the budget process remains rooted in public transparency, state law, and the collaboration and responsibilities of the City Commission and staff to act in the best interests of residents.

Interim City Manager Jon Quinday recently shared a letter with residents outlining the challenges and considerations around this year’s budget. Read the full letter: Clarifying the Revenue Neutral Rate and Property Taxes

Constructive community engagement is a healthy and vital role in local government, helping ensure decisions reflect a wide range of perspectives and priorities.

Residents are encouraged to be active participants in their city government by attending City Commission meetings at the Abilene Public Library or watching live on the city's YouTube channel on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month at 4:00 p.m. Meeting agendas are posted on the city website the week before each meeting. Each agenda includes time for public comments under Item 6 of the agenda, allowing anyone to address the City Commission on topics not listed on the agenda. These comments can help validate leadership decisions or raise considerations that may shape the direction of future actions. When only a few voices are heard, decisions reflect only part of the community.

School Zone Reminders 

Classes for Abilene students start on Monday, August 18, which means school zones will be active!

When you see those flashing lights, please slow down and be watchful, especially around elementary schools where young students are often excited and distracted and will undoubtedly forget to look for you.

Enforced School Zones - speeds reduced to 20 mph

• Kennedy Elementary School - includes:
  • 300-400 block of NW 14th Street
  • 1400 - 1600 block of N Kuney Street
  • 300 block of NE 16th Street
  • 1400 - 1500 block of N Olive Street
• McKinley Elementary School - includes:
  • 1000 - 1100 block of NW 3rd Street
  • 1000-1000 block of W 1st Street
• Eisenhower Elementary School:
  • 1100 - 1300 block of N Vine Street
• St. Andrew's Elementary School - includes:
  • 300 - 400 block of S Cedar Street
  • 100 block of SW 3rd Street
  • 100 block of SW 4th Street
• Abilene Middle and High School:
  • 100 - 500 block of NW 14th Street
  • Please remember you'll be sharing the road with new drivers who will be nervous - give them space and grace!

Law enforcement will be monitoring these areas, and tickets will be issued. Giving yourself a little extra time in the morning can help you stay patient—and save you time and money!

Tornado Siren Replacement 

The tornado siren located at KDOT at 2310 N Buckeye Ave is being replaced. Work begins Monday, August 18, 2025, with completion expected the following day. As part of the project, Evergy will also be upgrading a transformer at no charge to the City, helping ensure more reliable service in the future.

Current Siren Locations:

• #1 - KDOT
• #2 - Kennedy School
• #3 - NE 7th & Brady
• #4 - Middle School
• #5 - City Hall Roof
• #6 - Kansas Gas located at SE 2nd & S. Olive Street
• #7 - Next to the baseball field at NW 4th & Rogers Street
• #8 - NW 3rd & Monroe
• #9 - NW 17th & Mackenzie

As a reminder, tornado sirens are designed to be an outdoor warning system. They are intended to alert people who are outdoors to seek shelter immediately—not to wake you at night or be heard clearly indoors.

For complete weather alerts, make sure you also have multiple ways to receive warnings, such as:

• NOAA weather radios
• Local news and weather apps
• Wireless Emergency Alerts on your phone

Staying informed in more than one way helps keep you and your family safe during severe weather.

City Offices Closed for Labor Day 

Non-essential city offices will be closed on Monday, September 1, 2025, in observance of Labor Day. Offices will reopen on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at 8:00 a.m.

Labor Day, first celebrated in the late 1800s, honors the contributions and achievements of American workers and the labor movement.

We hope everyone enjoys a safe and relaxing holiday weekend!

City Commission Actions:  August 11, 2025 

The following is a brief summary of action taken at the August 11, 2025 City Commission meeting. This is provided for informational purposes only and does not represent the official minutes.

• Consent Agenda – Approved meeting minutes, appropriation ordinance, accounts payable payment register, and two appointments to the Sister City Board.
• 2024 Interfund Transfer Reallocations – Approved to realign $1.23 million in project-related transfers and expenditures to correct budget compliance issues identified in the 2024 audit.
• 2024 Independent Audit – Approved the annual financial audit prepared by Varney and Associates.
• Municipal Investment Pool Account Authorization – Approved creation of an investment account and designated signatories for fund management.
• Bank Account Signature Authorization – Tabled; will be discussed again on August 25, 2025.
• Establishment of Project-Specific Funds – Approved creation of funds for the CCLIP Project, Industrial Park Expansion, Moderate Income Housing (MIH), and Sports Complex/Recreation Improvements.
• Engineering Agreement for CCLIP Project – Tabled until August 25, 2025.
• NE 15th Drainage Project Discussion – Tabled until August 25, 2025.
• Department Reports – Updates provided by Public Works.
• Study Session – Reviewed the proposed 2026 budget. Read Interim City Manager Quinday’s overview beginning on page 105 of the August 11, 2025 agenda packet. Watch the budget presentation starting at time marker 1:52:50. Based on City Commission direction, the 2026 Budget will return to the August 25, 2025 regular meeting for authorization to publish the budget and hearing notice, in coordination with the Revenue Neutral Rate (RNR) hearing on September 8, 2025.

View full agendas and official minutes in our Agenda Center: www.abilenecityhall.com/agendacenter

Upcoming Meetings:

• August 25, 2025 – 4:00 p.m., City Commission Meeting
• September 8, 2025 – 4:00 p.m., City Commission Meeting

Residents are encouraged to be active participants in their city government by attending City Commission meetings at the Abilene Public Library or watching live on the city's YouTube channel on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month at 4:00 p.m.

Meeting agendas are posted on the city website the week before each meeting. Each agenda includes time for public comments under Item 6 of the agenda, allowing anyone to address the City Commission on topics not listed on the agenda. These comments can help validate leadership decisions or raise considerations that may shape the direction of future actions. When only a few voices are heard, decisions reflect only part of the community.

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You can also browse past editions anytime on our City News archive page.