At Monday’s meeting of the Ellsworth City Council, Resolution 2024-16 was approved, authorizing and providing for the calling of a special question election Nov. 5.

According to Kevin Cowan of Gilmore and Bell, Wichita, the purpose of the special question election would be for voters to decide whether to impose and continue a one-quarter percent citywide sales tax to fund public infrastructure projects. These projects would include the payment of principal and interest on bonds issued to finance such projects and provide for the giving of notice of the special question election.

Cowan noted the City of Ellsworth currently imposes a one-quarter percent city-wide retailer’s sales tax, which is designated for funding public infrastructure projects, including servicing the debt on bonds issued for such projects.

This existing sales tax is set to expire on June 30, 2025.

If voters approve the special question, the onequarter percent sales tax would continue from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2035.

City Administrator Dustin Stambaugh emphasized that securing voter approval to continue the sales tax is critical to maintaining the financial support necessary for ongoing and future city infrastructure developments.

“Without the extension of this sales tax, the city may face significant funding challenges that could delay or halt essential infrastructure projects,” he said.

In other business:

• Mayor Dan Finnegan, who attended the meeting via Zoom, appointed Jerry Penny as Ellsworth’s new chief of police. The council approved the appointment.

Penny was then sworn in as a Kansas law enforcement officer by acting Ellsworth Police Department Chief Jeff Weigel. He was then sworn in as Ellsworth Police Chief by Deputy City Clerk Mariana Kinnard.

“Thank you,” Penny said. “I am looking forward to it.”

• A request to amend the zoning classification of the parcel located at West 8th Street and Prospect Street in the Homolka Subdivision (all of Block 16) from R2 (Medium Density Residential) to R1 (Low Density Residential) was tabled until the council receives more information.

• Lucas Barta of Copeland Insurance, Salina, presented the council with a $14,081.46 dividend check from EMC Insurance from the 2023-24 policy period.

• The council balked at spending a large sum of city funds to file a platted cemetery survey with the register of deeds.

City Building Inspector Delvin Bettenbrock said he started working on getting the Ellsworth Memorial Cemetery surveyed and platted in October so the Ellsworth County Register of Deeds could record cemetery lots. He also added 24 blocks of new lots to the proposal because the city was selling its current plotted lots.

Bettenbrock said three surveyors were contracted for proposals. In January, one bid came back for $54,000 and the other came back for $107,800. In May, one survey company again submitted a bid of $54,000. Bettenbrock is waiting on a rebid from the second surveyor. He also has a third surveyor he could get a bid from.

Bettenbrock noted, however, the city is not required to file a platted cemetery survey with the register of deeds.

“We don’t have to do it,” he said, adding the city already records all the plats in-house.

“We don’t have the money for that,” Council Member Tyler Renard said.

• During the petitions and delegations portion of the meeting, Jeannie Kline, co-chair of the Cowtown Days Committee, said the bounce houses which will be available at Preisker Park during Cowtown Days will be dry, so water is not an issue during the celebration.

Kline also asked about the regulations on food trucks. She was told they must register with the city.

Kline then requested the city allow liquor and beer to be sold during a specific period of time the Friday and Saturday of Cowtown Days in a specific area at Preisker Park. She already has a temporary license from the Kansas Division of Alcohol Beverage Control. The council approved the request.

Kline then asked if the city could make a financial donation to Cowtown Days. The council left it up to Stambaugh to determine if, and how much, of a donation is possible.

• Mary Schmidt requested the city look into water pooling in and around the handicapped parking space at city hall because it presents a hazard for those who park in that space.

She also asked Council Member Don Panzer to clarify the rules for driving golf carts on city streets.

Panzer said his understanding is that golf carts are permitted to be used in the City of Ellsworth. To do so, however, the owner must have proof of insurance, they have to come to the Ellsworth City Office and show proof they are the legal owner of the golf cart, they have to get a permit from the Ellsworth Police, they have to fly a visible banner flag on a staff above the golf cart and have to have a slow moving vehicle reflective sign on the back of the golf cart.

Schmidt complimented the council for helping and supporting Stambaugh as he completes a long list of items on his plate.

“I want to thank you for what you have done,” she said.

Schmidt said even though Finnegan was not at the meeting in person but via Zoom from Missouri, he still is doing his job for the city.

• Stambaugh reported he is working on getting the rails for the multiuse path and getting an estimate to bring the Ellsworth Recreation Center into compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act.

He said he met with officials from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment on the 11th Street sewer project and will talk to officials from Kirkham Michael on July 23.

Stambaugh said he is working on the 2025 budget and the projected revenues come in at $3,058,938.11. His goal is to get the budget to fit all of the funding requests.

• Stambaugh requested the council meet with him and the department heads as they continue to work on the 2025 budget. As such, a special council meeting will be conducted at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 5, at the Ellsworth Recreation Center on the budget.

If needed, a second special council meeting will be conducted Monday, Aug. 19.

• Panzer asked Stambaugh if he had the contact information for the housing near the Good Samaritan Society in Ellsworth. Stambaugh said he does have that information.

Panzer then asked Stambaugh if the city could use a Bush Hog to mow down the tall grass at Krizek Park. Stambaugh will talk to Streets Foreman Troy Kralik.

Panzer also inquired about the enforcement of the truck route. He was told the city cannot force trucks to go around Ellsworth on the truck route, but would like them to do so.

Panzer then asked about the refrigerated railroad boxcar that has been sitting on the railroad tracks directly south of the Ellsworth Fire Department for the past three months.

“What’s in it,” he asked. “Is it safe for the city?”

Weigel said the police department has called the railroad about this in the past after citizens registered complaints, but he has had no luck in establishing contact with the railroad.

• Council member Aaron Johnson asked Stambaugh if he could make public the figures associated with the onequarter percent sales tax. Stambaugh said he would research it and make the figures public.

• Renard raised concerns about kids playing on West 12th Street and asked if signs warning drivers to watch out for kids playing could be posted in the area near the Ellsworth VFW from Prospect to 12th and Broadway.

• Council President Jessica Kootz gave a shout-out to compliment Nathan Rodriguez for his hard work in keeping the Ellsworth Recreation Center clean.

• Finnegan said Cowtown Days is just two weeks away and he thinks the event really can be what it once was.

“I hope this year goes really well,” he said.

Finnegan said the Cowtown committee is looking for positive support from the public and he asked Ellsworth’s residents to invite people to come to Cowtown Days.

He also asked for volunteers to help make the event a success.

The next regular meeting of the Ellsworth City Council will be at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 12, at city hall.