City of Arkansas City

09/06/2026

Just a reminder that City of Arkansas City offices will be closed Monday, Sept. 7, in observance of Labor Day.

The holiday will also mean an adjusted sanitation schedule. Check the map below to see when your trash will be collected.

Regular City operations will resume Tuesday, Sept. 8.

09/04/2026

The City Commission took several steps Tuesday, Sept. 1, to move forward with a major project to improve Arkansas City’s water system.

Phase 1 of the East Pressure Zone Water System Improvements Project is expected to cost about $4.08 million. The project includes a new 150,000-gallon water tower, improvements to a water pump station, new water lines and connections, and other improvements in the area of Madison Avenue, East Chestnut Avenue and U.S. Highway 77.

The improvements are designed to strengthen the City’s water system and help provide reliable water service to the eastern part of Arkansas City.

The City is seeking outside funding to help pay for much of the project. The current funding plan includes $800,000 from a Community Development Block Grant through the Kansas Department of Commerce and $2 million from the Kansas Water Office. The remaining approximately $1.28 million is expected to come from City general obligation bonds.

During Tuesday’s meeting, commissioners approved three resolutions needed to continue moving the project forward. The actions allow the City to apply for the $800,000 grant, commit funding for future maintenance of the improvements and authorize the City to use bonds to help pay for the project.

The City estimates that maintaining the new improvements will cost about $6,250 each year. The City has agreed to include funding for those costs in future budgets and review the amount annually.

The Commission also authorized up to $4.5 million for the project. This does not mean the project is expected to cost $4.5 million. The current estimate remains about $4.08 million. The higher authorization gives the City room to cover eligible project expenses, including construction, engineering, land or easement needs and other related costs.

09/04/2026

Mikel Arrowsmith recently completed several specialized training courses covering heavy-duty vehicle air brake systems, spring brake maintenance, S-Cam brake shoe removal and installation, and proper slack adjuster maintenance.

Continued training helps our employees build their skills while keeping the City’s vehicles and equipment safe, reliable and ready to serve our community.

Congratulations, Mikel! Thank you for investing in your skills and bringing that knowledge back to the City of Arkansas City. We appreciate you!

09/03/2026

The City Commission has approved the City’s 2027 budget, holding property tax revenue at the Revenue Neutral Rate while continuing to fund essential City services, public safety and critical infrastructure.

The 2027 budget includes:

• $40.3 million in total budget authority across all funds
• Approximately $39.2 million in net expenditures after transfers
• A mill levy of 55.911 mills, down from 58.151 mills in 2026
• Approximately $5.4 million in property tax revenue
• $9.03 million supporting Police, Fire and EMS
• $11.70 million toward water system improvements

Arkansas City’s assessed valuation is projected to increase to approximately $96.8 million for 2027. Rather than using that growth to increase property tax revenue, the Commission chose to adopt a Revenue Neutral budget.

The budget prioritizes public safety, core City services, infrastructure and necessary equipment. Investments include Fire/EMS rescue and medical equipment, a Police patrol vehicle, cybersecurity improvements, street projects, stormwater and sewer rehabilitation, and significant improvements to the City’s water system.

Reaching a Revenue Neutral budget also required difficult decisions.

Several requested positions, equipment purchases and facility improvements were deferred. The budget also does not include the requested 2% cost-of-living adjustment for City employees, which would have added approximately $166,000 to the General Fund.

While the City was able to hold property tax revenue essentially flat for 2027, the cost of providing City services continues to rise. Personnel, insurance, equipment, contractual services and infrastructure costs do not remain revenue neutral.

The 2027 budget reflects a balance between those realities: protecting core services, maintaining emergency capacity, investing in essential infrastructure and being responsible with the resources provided by Arkansas City taxpayers.

Total budget authority represents the maximum amount the City is legally authorized to spend across all funds and does not mean every authorized dollar will be spent. A significant portion of the 2027 budget is also associated with major, multi-year infrastructure projects, particularly improvements to the City’s water system.

09/03/2026

City of Arkansas City offices will be closed Monday, Sept. 7, in observance of Labor Day.

The holiday will also mean an adjusted sanitation schedule. Check the map below to see when your trash will be collected.

Regular City operations will resume Tuesday, Sept. 8.

09/01/2026

We’ve officially made it to the “BER” months, which means fall isn’t too far away.

And you know what comes with fall … Fall Cleanup!

The City of Arkansas City’s Fall Cleanup is set for October 5-9, so now’s a good time to start thinking about those cleanup projects around the house and yard.

08/31/2026

The Arkansas City Commission will meet at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 1, at City Hall, 118 W. Central Ave.

Here are a few highlights from Tuesday’s agenda:
• 2027 City Budget — Commissioners will hold a public hearing on the proposed 2027 budget. The proposed budget maintains the revenue-neutral rate of 55.911 mills, down from 58.151 mills in 2026.

• Water System Improvements — Commissioners will consider several items related to Phase 1 of the East Pressure Zone Water System Improvements Project. Plans include a new water tower, pump-station improvements, new water lines and connections in the Madison Avenue, East Chestnut Avenue and U.S. Highway 77 area. The City is seeking $800,000 in CDBG funding toward the estimated $4.08 million project.

• Development — Commissioners will consider rezoning property at 915 Mill Road for Kansas Gas Service operations, as well as rezoning and a conditional use permit at 708 E. Madison Ave. for a proposed self-storage facility.

Can’t make it to City Hall? Watch the meeting live on YouTube.

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

08/31/2026

The Cherokee strip FOOLS, with support from Arkansas City Fire/EMS, will host a free 9/11 Memorial 5K Walk and Run.

📅 Friday, Sept. 11
🕕 6–8 p.m.
📍 Poplar Walking Trail, 925 E. Poplar Ave.

The Cherokee strip FOOLS, with support from the Arkansas City Fire/EMS Department, will host a free 9/11 Memorial 5K Walk and Run from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11, at the Poplar Walking Trail, 925 E. Poplar Ave.

The 3.1-mile event will honor the 343 New York City firefighters who died in the line of duty during the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Participants may carry a commemorative badge bearing the name and photograph of one of the fallen firefighters and complete the course in that firefighter’s memory.

The event draws inspiration from the Tunnel to Towers 5K, which retraces the final journey of New York City firefighter Stephen Siller. After learning that a plane had struck the World Trade Center, Siller drove toward Manhattan but found the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel closed to traffic. He strapped on his firefighting gear and continued through the tunnel on foot toward the Twin Towers, where he died while trying to save others.

Complimentary food will be available while supplies last, made possible by a contribution from Southwestern College following its recent production of Come From Away. The Tony Award-winning musical tells the true story of the residents of Gander, Newfoundland, who welcomed thousands of airline passengers stranded after U.S. airspace closed following the Sept. 11 attacks.

The Cherokee Strip FOOLS is the official host of the event, with Arkansas City Fire/EMS personnel participating and providing support. Formed by local firefighters in February 2026, the group is a chapter of the Fraternal Order of Leatherheads Society, an international organization committed to preserving fire service traditions while promoting brotherhood, professional pride and training. The independent local chapter welcomes career, volunteer, part-time and retired firefighters.

Organizers hope the memorial walk and run will become an annual Arkansas City tradition.

08/29/2026

Please help us spread the word.

The Arkansas City Police Department is asking for the public’s help locating 74-year-old Roy Blake McDonald Sr., who has dementia and may be disoriented.

Please take a moment to check your property, including garages, sheds, vehicles and other outbuildings.

If you see McDonald or have information about his whereabouts, please call 911 or the Arkansas City Police Department at 620-441-4547.

Please share so we can help bring him home safely.

***UPDATE-He has been located safe and is back with his family***

On August 29th, 2026, at 12:43AM, Officers were dispatched to 3001 N. Summit St. for a missing person report. The missing person is 74-year-old, Roy Blake McDonald Sr. Roy is a black male with black and gray hair. He was last seen at 4th and Chestnut around 04:00AM this morning. He is believed to be wearing a burnt orange Texas Longhorns shirt and khaki shorts.

Roy suffers from dementia and has been reported missing several times over the past few months. He has been found in random locations throughout the entire city. Please check vehicles and any out out buildings.

If located, please call 911 or the Arkansas City Police Department at 620-441-4547.

08/28/2026

Thinking about a home or property project? Before you break out the tools, it’s worth asking one important question: Do I need a permit?

Many projects do require a building permit before work begins — from decks and fences to electrical work, additions, and more. Permits help make sure projects are safe, code-compliant, and don’t turn into costly headaches down the road. Future You will thank Present You.

Permit applications are available through the City of Arkansas City Community Development Division, and everything is reviewed before work starts. If you’re not sure where your project falls, that’s okay — we’re happy to help you figure it out.

Questions? Call 620-441-4420 or visit www.arkcity.org

A little planning now can save a lot of trouble later.