Russell City Council Hears 2027 Funding Requests, Airport Upgrade at Tuesday's Meeting

The Russell City Council met Tuesday and heard 2027 funding requests from four area organizations.

Representatives from the Western Kansas Child Advocacy Center, Russell Area Chamber of Commerce, Russell Main Street, Inc. and Options Domestic & Sexual Violence Services each discussed their organization, how it benefits Russell and formally presented their funding request. No action was taken by the council as the city's 2027 budget is in the process of being created.

A public hearing date was set for June 16 at 4:30 PM for dangerous structures at 15 Amber Drive in Russell.

Water Utility Director Randy Baker updated the council on the city's two main water sources. Russell continues to get water from Big Creek and the Pfeifer Well Field despite ongoing drought conditions. Baker also mentioned crews will soon clean and fill the Duke Johnson Municipal swimming pool and prep the downtown splash pad for use during the summer.

Public Works Director Chadd Stevenson told council members the city recently received a $108,000 matching grant from the Kansas Airport Improvement Program and will use it to extend the taxiway at the Russell Municipal Airport. Russell will be responsible to fund 10% of the project.

City of Russell Fire Chief Dylan Riedel told the council the City of Russell Fire Department has been invited to be part of a State Fire Marshal Task Force. Russell would join together with fire departments in Great Bend, Hays and Ness City. Riedel and council members also discussed the 2024 International Fire Code with the hope to adopt the latest version of fire codes. Currently, the city uses the 2018 International Fire Code.

Also Tuesday, new city employees hired during the first quarter of 2026 were introduced. They are Ron Wedel as 911 Dispatcher, Daniel Manly as water plant operator and Michael Brady as sanitation/recycling loader.