The city council met in regular session Tuesday, Sept. 8 with Mayor Matt Rome; Councilmen Dean Banker, Dustin Johnson, Tony Martin and Brad Niehues present. Councilman Chris Harper was
absent.
Others present were City Clerk Carrie Baeza, Outside Utilities Supervisor Robert Smith, City Inspector Josh Grubbs, City
Attorney Nathan Foreman, Golf Course Superintendent Braden Harbour, Marcus Amerin, Pat Hall and Dylissa Hill and her son.
Mayor Matt Rome presided.
The Council approved the minutes of the meeting of Aug. 3, 2026 as amended.
Each member of the governing body was provided with a copy of Municipal Judge Damon Simmons’ report for the month of August, showing 14 new cases brought before the court and $1,736. remitted to the city. The Council voted to accept the report. City Inspector Josh Grubbs presented his monthly activities report.
Kendra Lewis had contacted the clerk about Pink Friday event in November. Issue was tabled to October.
Angela Heger contacted the City Clerk to request the use of all four blocks of Raydene Park for the Community Christmas Lights. The Councilmen voted to allow the use of all four blocks of Raydene Park and that the city will be providing the utilities.
Heger also wanted to put on the council radar that they are wanting to have an event in December with food trucks, booths and hayrides. This was tabled to the October 5 meeting to allow a representative to be present for questions.
Dylissa Hill came to request the ability to house an exotic pet in the city limits. The current ordinance does not allow for any such animal. City Attorney Foreman will work on an ordinance to be passed in
October to address issues for pets.
At 5:45 p.m. the Mayor called the Budget 2027 Public Hearing to order. City Clerk Baeza reviewed the budget with the council and the financial needs of the city. The proposed budget would lower the city revenue by $27,707, lowering the mill levy to 30.533. This would be a decrease of approximately $14 on a $100,000 house. The Council approved the 2027 Budget setting the mill levy to 30.533.
Golf Course Board President Marcus Amerin presented the council with two bids for traveling sprinklers. After discussion, because these purchases were budgeted for in 2027, no action will be taken until then.
Amerin also informed the council they have a test GPS unit on one of the golf carts. The board also has an updated Golf Course Superintendent job description.
The Council approved Ordinance 864 AN ORDINANCE REGULATING THE OPERATION OF ELECTRIC MOBILITY DEVICES WITHIN THE CITY OF HUGOTON, KANSAS; PROVIDING FOR PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS; AND REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT THEREWITH.
The Council also approved Ordinance 865 AN ORDINANCE OPENING PORTIONS OF WEST 12TH STREET AND SOUTH POLK STREET LOCATED IN THE DR. NANNIE STEPHENS ADDITION TO THE CITY OF HUGOTON, KANSAS. And Ordinance 866 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 4-101, 4-102, and 4-105 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF HUGOTON, KANSAS, REDEFINING THE AREA OF THE FIRE LIMITS IN THE CITY, ADDRESSING PLACEMENT OF FOOD TRUCKS IN THE FIRE LIMITS; AND REPEALING ALL PARTS OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH.
Clerk Baeza brought up to the council an issue with utilities since the sale of the distribution. The city has several customers that are on a shared water meter. Currently the landlord/property owner pays the water for the property. The customers will now only be responsible for the sanitation, sewer, and water improvement. Because of this, there is no recourse that can be taken for unpaid utilities. Baeza recommendation was to assess these charges to the property owner on the water bill. The council decided to table this action.
Councilman Martin reviewed the longevity pay structure for the employees. City Attorney Foreman and Clerk Baeza will look into the changes concerning the budget and the codes.
Supervisor Smith presented the council with two new hires to fill vacancies in his department. The Councilvoteed to hire Cody Perez at and move Marco Amador to full time.
Supervisor Smith requested a merit raise for Abraham Garcia. Motion and approved to raise Abraham Garcia.
Claims against the city were presented and audited. Motion and approved that Appropriation Ordinances No. 2301 and 2302 be passed.
The meeting went into executive session under KSA 75-4319(b)(1) for non-elected personnel. The meeting reconvened at 7:50 p.m. No action was taken.
The meeting went into executive session under KSA 75-4319(b)(1) for non-elected personnel. The meeting reconvened at 8:00 p.m. The Council voted to give Supervisor Robert the authority to hire an employee from a different department after all application requirements are met.
The Council voted that the meeting move into executive session under KSA 75-4319(b)(2) for consultation with our attorney, Nathan Foreman, which would be deemed privileged in the attorney client relationship for the purpose of discussing litigation. The meeting reconvened at 8:08 pm. The meeting adjourned.