Augusta council passes budget amendments, grants easement, defers council pay increase and approves routine items

The Augusta City Council handled a package of routine and administrative items during its Dec. 15 meeting.

Budget amendments: After a public hearing with no public commenters, the council approved multiple 2025 budget amendments affecting several funds. Staff said amendments adjust budget authority to cover actual expenditures already incurred or moved into 2025, including emergency communications, vehicle reserves, water bond/KDHE loan adjustments and a $325,000 increase in the solid-waste fund tied to a newly purchased 31-yard refuse vehicle.

Utility easement: Council approved granting a 30-foot permanent utility easement and a temporary construction easement to Butler County Rural Water District No. 5 to install a 12-inch transmission main along Southwest Indianola Road, including installation on airport property. Staff said FAA review raised no objections and the water district will bear construction, maintenance and relocation costs. Council sought clarification whether the easement is exclusive; legal counsel read easement language and said it does not prohibit future uses so long as they do not unreasonably interfere with the water district’s use.

Salary schedule and governing-body pay: Council approved the annual job-classification and salary schedule reflecting a 2.5% COLA for employees but voted to defer any increase to governing-body pay for 2026, keeping council and mayor compensation at last year’s levels.

Write-offs and collections: Staff presented required annual write-offs and reported 18 accounts proposed for write-off totaling $3,065.74 (including deceased-account holders and one bankruptcy). Council approved the write-offs.

CMB licenses: Staff recommended approval of cereal malt beverage license renewals for 2026 contingent upon applicants obtaining the state CMB stamp (the state recently centralized stamp issuance). Two applicants had not yet received the stamp; council approved renewals conditional on receipt.

Other business: Council members made announcements, accepted a resignation notice from Councilmember Eric Burke (moving out of the city), and staff described the application and appointment process to fill upcoming Ward vacancies in January.

(Authority: staff presentations, multiple motions and votes recorded in meeting minutes.)