CHANUTE, Kan. — The Chanute City Commission Monday night set a Dec. 8 public hearing on amendments to the 2025 budget. Nine line items are being amended this year, compared to 12 in the 2024 budget. This takes into account both revenue and expense not anticipated when the 2025 budget was put together in the middle of 2024.
One budget that is being amended is the gas fund, to set aside funds for potential gas purchases it might need to make before the end of the year Another amendment involves the HVAC project for the Depot building housing the library and the Martin and Osa Johnson Safari Museum. The city has cash on hand to cover these expenses, but in order to legally expend those funds amending the budget is required.
The Chanute City Commission adopted a resolution Monday setting out the boundaries of the city. This resolution reflects annexations that have taken place in the past year including a new building on the Chanute High School campus, along with correcting errors in the boundary that have been in place for many years.
It was noted there is an incentive for property owners adjoining the city limits to come in as it would give them a lower electric rate plus the fact the city levies no general property taxes aside from the mill levy for the library.
The city of Chanute has reached a three-year labor agreement with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, which represents the largest group of employees in the city. The contract, which City Manager Todd Newman told Commissioners it was a very easy process this time, calls for a three percent cost of living raise in each of the next three years.
Next year, the contract with the Fraternal Order of Police will be up for negotiation and in 2027 that of the International Association of Firefighters will be up for negotiation.
It also approved various street closings connected with the 34th annual Christmas Parade of Lights Dec. 4, 2025.
