City of Gardner City Council Meeting 11/02/2026

The City of Gardner, Kansas City Council meeting on November 2, 2026, approved several financing actions. The council passed Ordinance 2899 authorizing up to $34 million in taxable industrial revenue bonds for the Panattoni Lot 1, Building 1 project, a roughly 469,000-square-foot industrial facility. The bonds are not a general obligation of the city; the project has a 10-year property-tax abatement with payments in lieu of taxes under the previously approved schedule. The council also approved the 2026D taxable general obligation bonds totaling $10.105 million for electric-system improvements, including Substation No. 4, and the 2026E general obligation bonds totaling $44.565 million for the Hill Delta water intake structure and the Kale Creek Water Resource Recovery Facility expansion. Related ordinances and resolutions authorizing delivery of both bond issues passed unanimously. Baker Tilly reported four bids for the taxable issue, with RW Baird winning at a 5.5511% rate, and 12 bids for the water and sewer issue at 4.7499%; the advisor estimated several million dollars in debt-service savings over the bonds’ life. The city’s S&P rating was reported as AA-minus, with rising debt burden noted as a consideration.

Staff also sought council consensus to prepare a possible MOU and lease for the Chamber of Commerce to occupy space in a city-owned building after current tenants’ month-to-month extension ends; an agreement may return for council consideration, but no lease was approved. Council discussed reviewing rules on political speech at city facilities, with staff asked to examine the policy; no policy change was made. Other discussion included a Special Olympics proclamation and Parks and Recreation activities.