City of WaKeeney

City of WaKeeney Official news and information directly from the City of WaKeeney, KS Official news and information directly from the City Municipality.

City crews found this damage caused by E-bikes or other small electric bikes around the swimming pool park shelter this ...
09/02/2026

City crews found this damage caused by E-bikes or other small electric bikes around the swimming pool park shelter this earlier today. Parents, please speak with your kids about the proper use of these devices or changes will need to be made about their use in the community.

09/02/2026

RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE GOVERNING BODY 18 AUGUST 2026
The Governing Body of the City of WaKeeney, Kansas met in a regular session at City Hall 408 Russell Avenue at 6:15 PM with the mayor presiding and the following members present:
Mayor F. Irene Dirks and Council Members Dave Anderson, Courtney Berning, Brent Deines, Curtis Flax, and Shane Pfeifer
BEING ABSENT: None
The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as corrected, printed, and distributed.
GUESTS: Cheryl Gibson, Travis Phillips, Dusty Billinger, Abraham Pfannenstiel, Lynelle Shubert and John Shubert
Cheryl Gibson, Trego County ED was present before the city council to request use of city owned property in Block 57 for the placement of a “pop up” business incubator shed. The structure will need electrical service only for utilities. The city attorney recommended the council first review a draft lease agreement with Trego County. Cheryl was thanked by the governing body and will return to the next city council meeting with the lease agreement.
CHIEF OF POLICE: Chief Phillips reviewed his departmental report that included old evidence destruction and possible code changes for the use of E-Bike’s in the city.
CITY ATTORNEY: Abraham Pfannenstiel reviewed with the council updated Standard Traffic and Uniform Public Offense code adopting ordinances as published by the LKM. A motion was made by Brent Deines and seconded by Curtis Flax to approve ordinance #1473 for the STO. Motion carried. The motion was made by Curtis Flax and seconded by Courtney Berning to approve ordinance #1474 for the UPOC. Motion carried. The updated codes will be effective upon publication in the Western KS World.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR: Hardy Howard presented documents as drafted by city bond counsel Gilmore & Bell (Kevin Cowan) concerning the city’s proposed ½ cent sales tax election in November. A motion was made by Brent Deines and seconded by Dave Anderson to approve Resolution #08182026 authorizing the mayor and city clerk to execute the needed documents to forward to the county clerk for placement upon the November general election ballot. Motion carried.
KDOT mandated drug and alcohol policy for the general transportation buses was reviewed by the city council. A motion was made by Curtis Flax and seconded by Shane Pfeifer to accept the KDOT policies for the bus services. Motion carried.
MAYOR: Irene Dirks gave a brief update on the Kelly Plaza construction.
In other city business, Council member Curtis Flax announced that due to his pending move out of the city limits, he was resigning from his seat on city council effective immediately. Curtis was thanked by the mayor and other council members for his service to the community.
No further business appearing, the meeting was adjourned.

09/01/2026

City Council Meeting 9/1/26

08/27/2026

Utility crews for the city are responding to two water main breaks in the northwest portion of town. The following blocks will need to be shut down for repairs beginning at 9AM today, August 27th. 400, 600, and 700 Block of N. 3rd Street, 200 Block of Junction, and the 200, 300 and 400 Block of Chase Avenue. Service will be restored as quickly as possible but may take several hours.

08/19/2026

RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE GOVERNING BODY 4 AUGUST 2026
The Governing Body of the City of WaKeeney, Kansas met in a regular session at City Hall 408 Russell Ave at 6:15 PM with the mayor presiding and the following members present:
Mayor F. Irene Dirks and Council Members Dave Anderson, Courtney Berning, Brent Deines, Curtis Flax and Shane Pfeifer
BEING ABSENT: Curtis Flax
The minutes of the previous meetings were approved as written, printed, and distributed.
GUESTS: Nikki Mattheyer, Candice Buettenmuller, Leah Day, Matt Smith, Mary Ruth Hendricks, Lynelle Shubert, John Shubert and Travis Phillips
Leah Day, TCHS Student Council, came before the city council to request permission to allow the WaKeeney Police Department to close the 1200 Block of Russell Avenue on Tuesday, August 11, 2026 from 6 to 8:30 pm for a back-to-school bash sponsored by the student council. A motion was made by Brent Deines and seconded by Dave Anderson to allow the street closing with WaKeeney PD assistance. Motion carried. Leah was thanked for attending and took her leave.
Nikki Mattheyer, representing the Buzzard Bash committee came before the city council requesting the closure of the downtown area on Saturday, May 22, 2027 for the festival. A motion was made by Dave Anderson and seconded by Brent Deines to approve the downtown street closures as previous years. Motion carried. Nikki also requested permission to place a portable storage shed on the city owned property at 314 Barclay Avenue for the Buzzard Bash equipment and supplies. A motion was made by Courtney Berning and seconded by Shane Pfeifer to allow the use of the site for the shed. Motion carried. Nikki and Candice were thanked for attending.
Lynelle Shubert, Travel & Tourism / Main Street came before the governing body to provide an update on Main Street community survey and present her 2027 budget. Lynelle was thanked for her report.
CHIEF OF POLICE: Chief Travis Phillips presented his monthly departmental report. Electric bicycles, school presentation, new officer field training, Purple Wave surplus vehicle sale, mowing letters, and tire marks in the downtown park were discussed.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR: Hardy Howard discussed the KS Association Health Plan and its future move to a partially self-funded plan model in 2028.
Chip seal will begin this week, JD tractor repairs are finished, pool last day is August 9th, bid letting for the downtown ADA project is August 19th and the KS Water Office loan forgiveness application has been submitted.
At this time an ordinance making appropriation for the payment of claims for the month of July 2026 was read, whereupon Shane Pfeifer motioned to approve claims in the amount of $466,469.83 Brent Deines seconded. Motion carried. Warrants numbered #20973 and #21002 were reviewed prior to approval.

MAYOR: Irene Dirks presented draft ballot language for a proposed city ½ cent sales tax for park / pool maintenance and other quality of life capital improvement projects. The ballot language was refined and will be presented back to the municipal advisor and bond attorney for review.
In other city business, Council Member Berning discussed staffing concerns at the pool.
A motion was made by Brent Deines and seconded by Shane Pfeifer to adjourn into an executive session for a period of 10 minutes. The executive session was held in regard to non-elected personnel discussion, exception K.S.A. 75-4319(a)2 with the Mayor Dirks, City Council, City Administrator Howard, and Chief of Police Phillips. The meeting was reconvened within the allotted time.
A motion was made by Brent Deines and seconded by Courtney Berning to pay out 100 hours of accumulated comp time to the City Superintendent on the August 2026 payroll.

No further business appearing, the meeting was adjourned.

08/18/2026

City Council Meeting 08/18/2026

08/12/2026

City wide compost collection for this week will happen on Friday, August 14th. Thank you.

08/05/2026

RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE GOVERNING BODY 7 JULY 2026
The Governing Body of the City of WaKeeney, Kansas met in a regular session at City Hall 408 Russell Ave at 6:15 PM with the mayor presiding and the following members present:
Mayor F. Irene Dirks and Council Members Dave Anderson, Courtney Berning (via phone), Brent Deines, Curtis Flax and Shane Pfeifer
BEING ABSENT: None
The minutes of the previous meetings were approved as written, printed, and distributed.
GUESTS: John Shubert, Darrell Hladek, Michael Ghumm, Sharon Stupelli, Amber McLaughlin, Tasha Malay, Travis Phillips, and Abraham Pfannenstiel
Joey McLiney, with McLiney and Company Municipal Advisors phoned into the meeting to review his findings on the proper ballot language for the city’s proposed ½ cent sales tax election. Joey will meet with a bond attorney to review the language before a final draft is produced. Joey was thanked by the council for his report.
Amber McLaughlin, representing the VFW Auxiliary came before the governing body to request the use of the in-town city bus to transport walkers on the evening of August 26, 2026, returning from the Veterans Cemetery. A motion was made by Curtis Flax and seconded by Shane Pfeifer to allow the use of the bus and volunteer driver annually for this event. Motion carried. Amber was thanked for attending.
Sharon Stupelli, WaKeeney City Librarian came before the city council to give her annual report and 2027 budget request. The library board is requesting a small increase in funding for 2027. Sharon was thanked for her report.
Darrell Hladek, City Fire Chief, came before the council to present the departments 2027 budget request. The department is also requesting a small increase in funding for 2027 in the city’s public safety budget. Darrell was thanked for attending.

CHIEF OF POLICE: Chief Travis Phillips presented his monthly departmental report. Officer Dallin Schneider resigned from the department and moved out of state. The department will be using part-time officers and SO deputies while shorthanded.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR: Hardy Howard reviewed at length the 2027 city budget. The draft budget shows a slight decrease in the mill levy due to increased assessed valuation in the city. A budget and revenue neutral hearing will be held on September 15, 2026, at 6:15 PM.
At this time an ordinance making appropriation for the payment of claims for the month of June 2026 was read, whereupon Curtis Flax motioned to approve claims in the amount of $282,443.67 Brent Deines seconded. Motion carried. No warrants were reviewed prior to approval.
FEMA Assistance to Firefighters grant has been submitted for city fire (SCBA’s). The interior of the 250K water tower in Scout Park has been completed. Refill will begin after the paint is cured on approximately July 15th. Security cameras have been installed near the F-14 in Eisenhower Park.
MAYOR: Irene Dirks informed the council that the Department of Commerce has awarded the Kelly Plaza project community service tax credits hence allowing the bathroom portion of the project to be completed.
A motion was made by Curtis Flax and seconded by Brent Deines to adjourn into an executive session for a period of 15 minutes. The executive session was held in regard to matters attorney client discussion, exception K.S.A. 75-4319(a)1 with the Mayor Dirks, City Council, City Administrator Howard, City Attorney Pfannenstiel and Chief of Police Phillips. The meeting was reconvened within the allotted time.
No further business appearing, the meeting was adjourned.

08/04/2026

8/4/26 City Council Meeting

08/03/2026

With the first day of school just around the corner, if your children will be using the in town General Transportation Bus to or from school, please reach out to Gene at 785-743-8150 prior to the first day to schedule your rides. 20 round trip rides are $40 with the purchase of a punch ticket or $35 for the same number of one-way rides.

Address

408 Russell Avenue P. O. Box 157
Wakeeney, KS
67672

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+17857435791

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when City of WaKeeney posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to City of WaKeeney:

Shortcuts

Share

Category