January 7, 2026
The Jetmore City Council met in regular session on January 7th, 2026. Mayor Bill Goebel called the meeting to order and led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll call was answered by Councilmen Cole Buffo, Jeff Channell, John Neeley, Kenton Ubelaker & Ron White. Also attending were City Administrator Michael Ort, City Clerk Casey Dansel, City Attorney Clayton Kerbs, HCED Director Isaiah Bradshaw, Sheriff Jared Walker, Cory Gaston and Eric Smith w/ Kirkham Michael & Mike Shiew.
Councilman Channell made a motion to approve the consent agenda containing the December minutes & Appropriation Ordinance #2026-12. Councilman Buffo seconded the motion; vote unanimous.
SHERIFF’S REPORT:
Sheriff Walker provided his monthly report to the council. He discussed a recent case of criminal trash dumping in the Buckner Creek west of town, just downstream of the city lake.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT:
Isaiah Bradshaw provided the council with his monthly report. Will be attending Winter Expo, Makerspace is getting operations running again, completing trainings, annual budget meeting will be held Jan. 12th.
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT:
Clayton discussed the process with a recent dog ticket case with the council.
CITY CLERK REPORT:
Casey informed the council of the upcoming plans for Larry Fagen’s retirement party. Once a date is set, invites will be sent out.
PRESENTATION BY AIRPORT ENGINEERS:
Engineers with Kirkham Michael presented their assessment of the airport project to repair cracks on the runway. We have received a grant for $800,000. Three options were presented to the council ranging in cost from $700,000 & up. The lighting was also discussed. Engineers will work on applying for lighting grants for us.
BUSINESS ITEMS:
Councilman Channell made a motion to approve the airport runway project for crack repair at the airport with the $800,000 grant covering the cost. Councilman Neeley seconded the motion; vote unanimous.
Mike Shiew met with the council to request a variance at his RV park where he will be putting in storage containers closer to the property lines than current setbacks allow. Council agreed as long as the neighbors next to the RV Park are in agreement. Councilman Channell made a motion to approve the variance. Councilman Buffo seconded the motion; vote unanimous.
Councilman Neeley made a motion to give Larry Fagen a retirement gift in the amount of $3,000. Councilman Channell seconded the motion; vote unanimous.
Councilman Buffo made a motion to adopt resolution 2026-01, GAAP Waiver. Councilman Channell seconded the motion; vote unanimous.
Councilman Buffo made a motion to adopt resolution 2026-02, Annual Fee Resolution. Councilman Neeley seconded the motion; vote unanimous.
Council discussed annual staff pay raises. Councilman Buffo made a motion to increase all hourly full & part time staff 50 cents per hour & give salaried employee Casey Dansel a 2 1/2 % raise. Councilman White seconded the motion; vote unanimous.
Councilman Buffo made a motion to suspend the open meeting and enter into the meeting of the Land Bank.
Councilman Ubelaker seconded the motion; vote unanimous.
Administrator Ort presented the council with the annual Land Bank report.
Councilman Channell made a motion to adjourn the meeting of the Land Bank and enter back into the open meeting. Councilman Neeley seconded the motion; vote unanimous.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT:
*Administrator Ort presented his travel and training schedule for the month.
*Mr. Ort presented the end of year fund health report. General Operating, Employee Benefits, and Electric Funds balances are down sharply at the end of the year with cash reserves in the first two hovering around one month of reserves. Other funds are largely doing well, but Mr. Ort continues to share concerns about fund balances in general, with the main concern being that the Electric fund is being taxed more and more by way of transfers to General Op and Employee Benefits to maintain property tax rates, and this because Water and Sewer have been less able in recent years to participate in this effort.
*Red Tag Poles Project-Michael reported that he attended a kick-off meeting with two individuals from KCC along with Mike Schmaderer and Tyson McGree with KMEA on 12/23. The project is now in the design and planning phase, which will all be done by Mike.
*KCAMP Renewal-The KCAMP renewal was received in December. The average increase for the association was 12.62%. The increase for Jetmore was a tick over 11%, at 11.02%. The pool contribution for Jetmore for 2026 is $53,293.
*K-156 Project-Mr. Ort told the council that two poles in town were changed out in December by KMEA personnel for the highway project. The cost of this work will be reimbursed by KDOT as Jetmore is a community under 2000 population.
*Durler Alley/Utilities- Administrator Ort informed the council that he asked Henry with KMEA while in town for another project to take a look at the pole at the end of the road to Russell Durler’s house site. His recommendation to the city was to go about 35’ to the north and set another pole and put a down guy wire on that pole, then from that pole, his suggestion is to slack span to the pole at the end of the road, and remove the down guy there to clear the way to the alley. Mr. Ort further informed the council that, per their instructions, plans are now underway regarding extending utilities to the property.
*2025 Audit-Per an email conversation this last month, the 2025 audit will take place from May 20-22 this year.
GOVERNING BODY COMMENTS:
Councilman Channell inquired about collapsed sewer lines at Cheyenne Hills development. Councilman Channell also discussed that he believed there to be an ordinance put in place sometime between 2012 -2015 to vacate an alley up there. Michael will look into this.
New lettering for the outside of City Hall was discussed. The old ones broke as they were taken down so Michael will look into ordering new ones to be hung.
Councilman Buffo made a motion to adjourn. Councilman Channell seconded the motion; vote unanimous. Meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.