LYONS, Kan. — Sewer and water rate increases were approved by the Lyons City council Monday. These increases are made to address long term major projects for both utilities, including the upcoming project at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. At the June 2nd meeting, the Council had received a rate study from Waterworth that, for sewer, had recommended a more than 100 percent sewer rate hike for 2026.
As approved, combined sewer base and usage charges would increase by 15 percent in August, and by in 2026 and by three percent each year in 2026 and the next four years after that. On top of this would be a $10 a month maintenance fee now in place, and a new $25 monthly charge per sewer tap for the next 20 years to pay off a loan for plant improvements. This increase will be effective August 17.
Another change being made in sewer rates is that will be based on actual monthly water usage rather than a three to four month winter average usage the city has traditionally utilized. For water, base charges for meters of up to one inch in size will be increased by 65 cents a month as of August 1, and another 68 cents a month in 2026. with larger meter base fees increased accordingly. Usage charges will increase by ten percent in August, another ten percent in January, 2026, with a five percent annual increase from 2027 to 2030.
Customers who used more than five thousand gallons in a month will pay an escalating charge of an additional five percent for each 5,000 gallons used.
Council member Debra Metzger voiced concerns about the impact the proposed increases to lower income residents. Houtman noted some of these rates have not increased in 10-15 years. In recent years, Lyons water and sewer rates in recent years have been much lower than in many other cities, to the extent the city was not eligible for grant funding for system improvements. The sewer rate increase was approved on a 5-1 vote with Metzger opposed.
Related to the Wastewater Treatment Plant, the Council approved payment of a just over $20,000 invoice from Landia for remain and maintenance of the oxygen generator at the plant, which is part of the treatment process.
The Council approved a 2026 radio network agreement with Rice County. This allows the city to access the county operated emergency radio system tied into 911. Rice County Communications Director Josh Michaelis said this agreement will basically follow what has been done since 2016, covering infrastructure expenses and maintenance.
While in the past this agreement was to have been presented prior to June 1, a contract had not been presented for the past couple of years which was being handled at that time by the County Clerk’s office. Going forward this will be handled by Michaelis.
Under the new agreement, the city will pay the county $50,400 a year, to be paid in two installments, with the understanding this would be subject to a five percent annual increase in future years.
Council member Cecil Burdette raised an issue that has been brought up in past years, as to why Lyons and Sterling are asked to pay additional fees on top of county taxes. County Counselor Patrick Hoffman noted in the four counties he works in, most cities and counties have similar agreements, though how they are set up varies widely.
On a 5-1 vote with Burdett opposed, an interlocal agreement was approved involving the cities of Lyons and Sterling for a jointly operated dog shelter. This agreement came about after Lyons Veterinary Clinic notified both cities it would cease providing this service after June 30. The facility will be located on the site of Lyons’ wastewater plant, which has people there on a daily basis.
The city will be responsible for contracting for construction, with Sterling paying for the structure to be used, with, estimated at about $11,000, with Lyons covering the estimated $24,000 remainder. This is a 20 year agreement, and a provision is included for an early termination with one year’s written notice. There is also a provision that any other jurisdictions wanting to use the facility to pay a $1,000 start up fee, 60 percent of that to Lyons and 40 percent for Sterling. A specific operational agreement will be developed.
The Council approved an annual resolution to wave Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the city’s financial report. Nearly every local government in Kansas uses this waiver in order to produce an audit demonstrating compliance with cash basis laws, utilizing guidelines produced by the state of Kansas. This regulatory audit differs from a GAAP audit in that it does not include certain items a GAAP audit would such as capital assets. It also is much less costly that a GAAP audit would be.
Human Resources Director Jennifer Wood presented to the council the next section of Personnel and Policy Guidelines, this one dealing with attendance and leave. One part of this change would be to change the working hours for city employees that would extend work hours Monday through Thursday and either have a half day on Fridays or Fridays off.
This change would also allow for the possibility of extending office hours, and there was discussion about possibly staggering work schedules to provide for full day coverage on Friday. Another question that came up was when the 15th of the month, the utility bill due date, falls on a Friday. In that case, the due date would be extended to Monday.
The council also discussed the potential of having some flexibility in working schedules. Public Works was cited as a specific example due to the shorter daylight hours during the winter months. Another suggestion was made to possibly have one day with a delayed opening time and staying open later in the evening. One more idea was to have partial staffing on both Monday and Friday, with half the staff off Monday and the other half Friday. As proposed, department heads would have some policies.
It also makes revisions to leave and vacation policies among other revisions, adds policies about unexcused absences, outside employment, and other items. A final version of this section will come to the council at their next meeting July 7.
The Council approved setting of a special meeting June 30 at 6 PM, during which they will have a workshop on the city’s 2026 budget.
At the conclusion of the meeting there was a brief executive session regarding an attorney-client privilege matter.
