Abilene Commission to Consider Stormwater Fee Increase, State Loans Staff Recommends Against
The Abilene City Commission meets at 4 p.m. today, Monday, Oct. 12, at the Abilene Public Library, 209 NW Fourth Street. The meeting can also be watched online at abilenecityhall.com/watchlive.
The agenda includes a stormwater fee increase, two state loan agreements that city staff is recommending against, an update on federal lead pipe rules and a bid to replace aging water service lines.
Stormwater fee
Commissioners will consider Ordinance No. 26-3494, which would raise the city's Storm Water Utility fee from $1.25 to $3.82 per drainage unit per month, effective with the Jan. 15, 2027, billing cycle. Each property's monthly fee is calculated by multiplying its assessed drainage units by the rate.
According to the staff memo, the city hired Kansas Municipal Utilities in 2025 to study the Storm Drainage Fund. KMU recommended starting at $2.00 and stepping up over several years to $3.82. The commission narrowed the choice to two options, a three-year phase-in or the full increase at once, and at its Sept. 28 study session reached consensus to implement the full increase. Planning-level cost estimates for identified stormwater projects total about $43 million, including about $28.9 million for the Southeast Drainage projects. The memo notes those estimates are for planning and are not approved projects. Staff recommends approval.
State loans for wastewater and water projects
Two ordinances would authorize loan agreements with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Ordinance No. 26-3492 covers a loan of up to $400,000 from the Kansas Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund to replace obsolete programmable logic controllers in the Wastewater Treatment Plant's SCADA control system. Ordinance No. 26-3493 covers a loan of up to $400,000 from the Kansas Public Water Supply Loan Fund for a public water supply project.
The staff memo describes a 2.87% interest rate with semiannual payments from 2028 through 2047, repaid from utility revenues, with property taxes levied if those revenues fall short. The agreements would also require the city to keep the system's accounts under generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). The city currently uses the regulatory basis of accounting allowed under Kansas law, and KDHE has said the GAAP requirement is federal and cannot be waived.
Interim City Manager Jon Quinday's recommendation on both items says he cannot recommend that the city enter into the agreements as presented and that the city should pursue an alternative funding source. The commission's options include approving the ordinances, rejecting them and directing staff to look for other funding, or deferring action.
Lead and copper rules
Staff will give an update on federal lead and copper rules for drinking water. The EPA's 2021 rule revisions required cities to inventory lead service lines, and a 2024 rule modified and expanded those requirements. The next major deadline is Nov. 1, 2027, when water systems must submit an updated service line inventory and a Lead Service Line Replacement Plan. Further requirements extend through 2037. No action is requested.
Water service line replacement
The commission will consider a $26,050 bid from J & K Contracting for the 2026 Water Service Line Replacement Project. Public Works has had several leaks along South Brady Street and SE 6th Street, where galvanized service lines believed to date to the early 1900s have badly deteriorated. The lines would be replaced with polyethylene. The city received two other bids: $29,165.79 from Denny's Plumbing and $53,425 from Wilks Underground Utility. Staff recommends the low bid so the work can be done before colder weather. The project would be paid from the Water Equipment Reserve Fund.
Consent agenda
Routine items include the Sept. 28 meeting minutes, Appropriation Ordinance A-101226-26, the accounts payable register, the appointment of Sergio Gonzalez to the library board to fill the unexpired term of Lisa O'Day through April 30, 2027, and the appointment of Cy Taylor to the Dickinson County Economic Development Board.
The agenda also includes a public forum, where residents may speak for up to three minutes on items not on the agenda.
