CHANUTE, Kan. — The Chanute City Commission Monday approved what will for the average electric bill be a 6.5 percent increase.
The just under one cent hike will be used in part to fund replacement of radios for the Police and Fire Departments, which is a $2.2 million dollar project and part of the city’s 2026 capital improvement plan.
The existing public safety radio equipment is at least 13 years old, well beyond their expected service life and allow connectivity to the statewide public safety radio system. This will also include tower upgrades to improve signal coverage, which with the current system has a number of dead spots and is subject to static and dropped transmission.
City Manager Todd Newman said the increase will also cover a two percent increase in general fund expenditures next year. Chanute uses electric system revenues in lieu of property taxes to fund most city operations, the only property taxes levied are for the Chanute Public Library.
