KANOPOLIS — The Kanopolis City Council agreed to a 60-day trial for Nanny Scaping inside city limits.

The company utilizes goats to clear overgrown property, and has clients within city limits.

“We would like to get permission to operate within city limits for 24 hours at a job site,” Kim Schneider said.

She and Kate Schneider asked if there was a city permit they could apply for.

“If it helps keep the town clean, as long as the goats are taken care of and not housed in town permanently,” Mayor Anthony Hopkins said. “I can see a bunch of neighbors, or one, complain.”

Kanopolis has a city ordinance prohibiting barnyard animals within city limits.

“Plus, I would like to not be totally committed to allowing it just to have a proof of concept you can keep the goats corralled,” Hopkins said.

Kim Schneider said the animals are housed in a trailer overnight.

“We run electric fence, so no worries about dogs getting into goats,” she said. “They won’t be tearing up grass; they will almost solely eat weeds and brush. They do not prefer grass. We’ve tried a few place; they eat weeds first.”

Kate Schneider pointed out the city of Wichita recently released goats to assist with weed control.

“If people are concerned, we didn’t commit long-term,” Hopkins said.

Some jobs will only require 24 hours.

“We have one that will take probably two or three weeks to do the whole property,” Kate Schneider said.

In other action, the council:

• Approved fireworks on July 22 for Rachel Svoboda until 10 p.m.

• Halted progress on the proposed new water tower.

“He either needs to sit down with Tom or have a phone call or a virtual visit,” Hopkins said of the project engineer.

Council member Tom Wilkinson expressed concern over the proposed 6-inch pipes from the tower.

“Down the road, look to add a new line from the water tower to 10-inch,” Wilkinson said. “It could run $200,000 to $300,000.

“I have questions. My experience in the oil field tells me you can’t shove as much water through 6-inch as 10-inch.”

“If you’re going to do it, I would insist it be done that way from the beginning,” Maintenance Supervisor Mike Bunch said.

“If Tom’s concerned, I don’t want to do this,” Hopkins said. “This project is already a year-and-ahalf past due. What’s another month or two? I’d rather get it right.”

• Discussed upcoming abatements.

• Discussed the 2024 budget.

“It seems like county appraisals go up every year,” Hopkins said. “Last year we adjusted our mill levy down so there would be no (tax) increase at all. In years past, we’ve left it, but we have gotten increased (revenue) because of an increase of assessments.”

The council directed City Clerk Deb Kralik to have the accountant adjust the budget so that the mill levy is lower, which will not increase taxes for the City of Kanopolis.

• Discussed the lagoon. Bunch said the paperwork will be signed soon and then a precise date will be firmed up for the lagoon cleaning.

• Hopkins asked Kralik to put a reminder in the water bill that residents are responsible to mow their ditches.

• After a 10-minute executive session, the council approved Shane Hall doing community service on the weekends.

The next meeting of the Kanopolis City Council is at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 8.