CHANUTE, Kan. — A half dozen citizens addressed the Chanute City Commission Monday night on the 6.5 percent increase in electric rates it approved Aug. 11, part of which is proposed to be used for new police and fire communication equipment. This increase is on top of a 16.5 percent rate hike a year ago as the city eliminated most local property taxes.
Several citizens asked the Commission to pursue other funding options such as grants for this, and local resident Ashley Shreve presented a petition asking the increase to be reconsidered. Some of the concerns raised related to the impact on increase of electric rates on lower income households.
City Manager Todd Newman provided the Commission with an Iola Register article dealing with Iola’s plans to raise their property tax levy in excess of the Revenue Neutral Rate for 2026. Iola’s levy as approved Monday goes up seven tenths of a mill and exceeded the Revenue Neutral Rate by just over four mills.
It was noted Chanute electric rates will remain competitive and well below both Kansas and national average electric rates. The new rates are taking effect Oct. 1. Commissioner Tim Egner also noted that in his own case, the electric rate increase was more than offset by the property tax elimination.
Commissioners approved moving forward with the $2.225 million purchase of new public safety communication equipment, which is funded through the electric rate increase. The project involved new radios for the Police and Fire Departments, new dispatch consoles and related software along with tower equipment.
The purchase will allow for improved signal coverage and permit full interconnection with the state-wide 800 MHz radio system including mounting of tower equipment locally. The purchase will be funded over a ten-year period with equipment purchased through Motorola Systems.
It approved use of the north end of Katy Park for the USD 413 Foundation’s Chanute High School Hall of Fame event Friday, Sept. 26. This permits food trucks to be set up as part of the event, and for consumption of alcohol on city property. This year’s Hall of Fame inductee is Grammy nominated artist and Chanute native Jennifer Knapp. The Commission also approved closure of various streets for the 56th Artist Alley Saturday, Sept. 27 including the Run for Ollie that morning.
The Commission approved an agreement with KDOT to exchange federal funds the city receives, which currently is just over $123,000, to KDOT on a 90 cents-on-the-dollar basis. This exchange gives the city more flexibility on how these dollars can be spent without the federal regulatory requirements, funds which will be used for roadway construction in the Osa Martin subdivision.
It also approved eight resolutions related to property code violations, allowing the city to clean-up the properties if the property owners do not.
