City of Salina Answers Some August 10 Citizens Forum Questions; Water Testing Details Remain Unaddressed

The City of Salina has published written responses to some of the questions residents raised during the August 10 City Commission Citizens Forum. The city said it selected questions it considered to be of broad community interest and invited residents to submit questions that were not addressed or need additional information.

Salina311 previously documented the questions from the forum. Below are those questions paired with the city’s response where the new page provides one. Answers are summarized for clarity and attributed to the city. Questions marked “No answer posted” were not addressed on the city page as of August 17.

Water mains, grants and lead service lines

What is the plan for replacing the city’s pipes?

City’s answer: Salina began a water-main replacement program in 2010 and has replaced approximately 45 miles of pipe. The City Commission directed staff to develop a more aggressive replacement plan, which staff expects to present at a future commission meeting.

Is anyone pursuing grants to help address the water problems?

City’s answer: The city employs a full-time grant coordinator who is seeking funding specifically for water-main replacement. The city cited $22 million in federal funding for River Renewal, $25 million for Magnolia Village and several street-improvement grants as examples of recent outside funding.

When the city discusses lead lines, does it mean private service lines running from the water main to homes?

City’s answer: Yes. The city said it has no lead water mains, but lead service lines may still exist in Salina.

Other water questions from the forum

• When will the test results from the water tower that was not emptied on time be available? No answer posted.
• What is the replacement timeline for specific neighborhoods and aging pipes? No answer posted beyond the citywide planning response above.
• Why was Larson Street added to the water-project list while Millwood Drive was removed? No answer posted.
• Is there a water-line replacement committee, and does it include a resident? No answer posted.
• Who decides who qualifies for water rebates, and how, when and where will those decisions be made? No answer posted.
• Can residents participate in the water-testing, rebate or replacement process? No answer posted.
• Why is the rebate application not mailed with water bills for residents who do not use the internet or social media? No answer posted.
• When will household water testing begin, and will residents receive a schedule for the three required tests? No answer posted.
• If a home qualifies for assistance or filtration, will it receive a timeline for permanent pipe repairs? No answer posted.
• Will household testing include water pressure? No answer posted.
• Does one passing test disqualify a household, or must all three tests fail to qualify? No answer posted.
• Who will conduct the independent third-party testing, and what has delayed testing and the rebate program? No answer posted.
• Where did Michelle Timpson’s sample originate so the city can test that location? No answer posted.
• How many gallons escaped from the water leak near Fire Station No. 4? No answer posted.
• Who established the parts-per-million standard used at Kanopolis Lake? No answer posted.

River Renewal and city finances

What justified increasing River Renewal funding from approximately $1.3 million annually to $5 million?

City’s answer: The city said commissioners discussed using general-fund reserves and chose during the 2024 budget process to transfer $5 million from the General Fund to support River Renewal.

Why did the state website appear to show $5 million for River Renewal in both 2025 and 2026?

City’s answer: The city said one $5 million transfer went to River Renewal. A separate $5 million was used to pay cash for approximately half of Fire Station No. 4, reducing the amount financed with debt and saving interest costs.

What exactly is the General Fund for?

City’s answer: The General Fund pays for core day-to-day services, including police, fire, parks, streets, development services, administration and other basic municipal operations.

Other spending questions

• Why can’t $700,000 be moved back from River Renewal to cover the budget shortfall and avoid higher property taxes or mill levies? No answer posted.
• Can the city defer street sweepers, trails and other spending to prioritize acceptable water? No answer posted.
• Which account is paying the wages and legal fees involving the two women from the animal shelter, and why? No answer posted.
• How much did the new commission-room monitor and timing system cost? No answer posted.

Ambassador Hotel demolition

Why include demolition-contract requirements if the city will not enforce them?

City’s answer: The city said the Ambassador Hotel demolition contract has been enforced. It does not require all waste to go to the Salina Landfill, but requires disposal to comply with federal and state rules. According to the city, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment required mixed building waste to go to a certified landfill, confirmed that mixed waste had been removed and authorized salvage of the remaining rubble.

Why was the contractor allegedly charged the secured-load landfill rate for untarped loads?

City’s answer: The city said the contractor coordinated with landfill staff before hauling. Staff determined that the material and hauling method did not present the same risk as an unsecured load, so the secured-load rate was applied. The city said landfill staff may make similar determinations for other customers based on material and hauling method.

Who was responsible for enforcing the demolition contract and landfill rules?

City’s answer: Development Services administers the demolition contract, while landfill staff enforce landfill rules.

City employees and whistleblower protections

Are city employees prohibited from speaking with commissioners?

City’s answer: The city said employees are not categorically prohibited from speaking with commissioners. Its chain-of-command policy generally bars employees, unless authorized by the city manager, from contacting commissioners to promote or oppose department regulations, programs, projects or administrative matters. Employees may contact commissioners on other subjects when doing so does not conflict with that restriction.

What are the city’s whistleblower policies?

City’s answer: The city cited a whistleblower-protection section added to its personnel manual in January 2024, the Kansas Municipal Employee Whistleblower Protection Act effective July 1, 2025, and separate protections covering reports of fraud, theft, misuse of assets, harassment, pay disputes and performance-evaluation appeals. The city said employees may raise concerns through supervisors, department heads, Human Resources, the finance director, assistant or deputy city managers, or the city manager. Its written response also describes grievance and mediation procedures.

Housing inspections

Are homes being constructed on the former airbase inspected while they are being built?

City’s answer: Yes. The city said all homes built in Salina are subject to normal permitting and inspections at key stages for compliance with adopted building codes.

Other housing questions

• Where was the inspector when concrete was poured for garages that a resident said are already cracking? No answer posted.
• How are residents supposed to access a garage-floor storm shelter when a car is parked over it? No answer posted.

Outside consultants and purchasing

Why does the city hire outside companies rather than Salina or Kansas companies?

City’s answer: The city said its purchasing policy requires competitive bidding for contractors and consultants, with selections based on price and overall qualifications.

Questions not addressed elsewhere on the city page

• Has the city stopped the Cozy Inn legal battle? If not, why?
• Are there hiking and biking trails in north Salina?
• Why could residents maintain and decorate the Highland Circle island for 15 years but were told they could not after asking the city to resume mowing?
• Where does the process stand for selecting the new commissioner?
• When will the animal-shelter investigation report be released?
• Where will the city publish and directly communicate future answers promised during Citizens Forum?

The city’s page includes a form for residents to submit unanswered questions or request additional information. The complete city responses—including the quoted personnel-manual provisions and links to supporting documents—are available on the official Citizens Forum question-and-answer page.

Related: What Salina Residents Asked City Commissioners During the August 10 Citizens Forum.

Source: City of Salina. The answers above summarize the city’s written responses and should not be read as Salina311 independently validating disputed claims or the completeness of those responses.