Lindsborg – Week of March 30 2025

City Administrator Northcutt to Depart Lindsborg, Search for Replacement Underway

Lindsborg Reapplies for KDOT Funding to Repair Harrison Street

City Council Approves Complete Pool Renovation to Extend Lifespan

Lindsborg Council Approves Insurance Renewal with Improved Deductible Terms

County Approves License Plate Reader Technology

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Taming of the Smoky Hill River

Where the Buffalo Roam

Lindsborg lives up to "Little Sweden" legacy

1. City Administrator Northcutt to Depart Lindsborg, Search for Replacement Underway

Lindsborg City Administrator Kristi Northcutt has announced her resignation, prompting city officials to begin the search for her successor. During the March 17 City Council meeting, Mayor Clark Schultz expressed both regret at Northcutt’s departure and optimism about her future, describing her new position as a "custom fit." The city plans to post the administrator position this week, with Schultz reporting that interest in the role has already materialized. The mayor is consulting with professional agencies and former mayor Becky Anderson to guide the search process, which will follow the template used when Northcutt was hired three and a half years ago. Council members will assist in reviewing applications, with candidates to be narrowed down for interviews in the coming weeks. "People want to live here, want to work," Schultz noted, expressing confidence in finding a qualified replacement to lead Lindsborg's administration.
Source: City of Lindsborg

2. Lindsborg Reapplies for KDOT Funding to Repair Harrison Street

The Lindsborg City Council voted unanimously on March 17 to resubmit an application for KDOT's City Connecting Link Improvement Program (CCLIP) to fund the repaving of Harrison Street/US 81 from Lincoln to Olsson Street. If approved, the grant would require the city to provide a 5% match totaling $158k, with payments of $79k in both 2027 and 2028. Public Works Director Denny Walker explained that the project would be completed in two stages due to CCLIP funding limitations. Although Lindsborg has submitted similar applications for several years without success, city officials remain hopeful, noting that KDOT's area engineer has encouraged continued submissions. Council members raised concerns about the possibility of continued rejection, discussing potential alternative funding methods including incorporating the project into the city's grade separation plans if the application is unsuccessful again. The funding would come from the Special Street Capital Improvement Program budget if awarded.
Source: City of Lindsborg

3. City Council Approves Complete Pool Renovation to Extend Lifespan

The Lindsborg City Council unanimously approved an $87k contract with Blast It Clean to completely sandblast, power wash, and repaint the city swimming pool during their March 17 meeting. Recreation Director Lauren Doak recommended the higher-priced option over two competing bids that would have only addressed problem areas, explaining that the comprehensive approach would strip the pool down to its concrete base, removing all existing paint layers and preventing ongoing maintenance issues. Despite the higher upfront cost, the council agreed the investment was justified by the company's five-year warranty and verbal assurance that the treatment would likely last up to ten years—significantly longer than the five to six-year cycle currently required. The project, scheduled for completion in April before the pool's May filling, will be funded from the city's unbudgeted sales tax revenue, which collected nearly $240k last year.
Source: City of Lindsborg

4. Lindsborg Council Approves Insurance Renewal with Improved Deductible Terms

The Lindsborg City Council unanimously approved the renewal of its property and casualty insurance with Fuqua Insurance Group at its March 17 meeting, accepting a proposal totaling $183k. The plan, which represents a 5% increase from last year's premium, includes a significant improvement in the city's deductible, reducing it from $75,000 to $10,000. Finance Director David Hay explained that while alternative quotes were sought, competing options came with substantially higher deductibles—up to $250,000 with Travelers—making the policy through Fuqua the most advantageous for the city despite the premium increase. Council members were also informed that the city receives annual dividend checks, which amounted to $10,000 last year and up to $20,000 in previous years, partially offsetting the cost increase.
Source: City of Lindsborg

5. County Approves License Plate Reader Technology

McPherson County Commissioners unanimously approved a five-year contract with Flock Safety for license plate reader technology during their March 10 meeting. The system, costing $64k over five years, will include four cameras strategically positioned throughout the county to automatically scan and identify vehicles of interest. The first-year cost of $16k includes installation, with subsequent years priced at $12k annually. The technology will alert law enforcement when vehicles associated with violent offenders, missing persons, or ongoing investigations enter the county. County officials cited recent successes, including a fentanyl-related arrest where similar technology proved invaluable in identifying a suspect's vehicle. The system will integrate with neighboring jurisdictions including Saline County, Abilene, Moundridge, and several other locations that have already implemented or are in the process of implementing the technology. The cameras will create a regional network of surveillance that allows data sharing across communities, with law enforcement representatives emphasizing the technology's potential to enhance public safety and improve response times to potential threats.
Source: McPherson County

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Sources

1. Lindsborg - https://www.facebook.com/LindsborgCity/videos/1053983356572953
2. Lindsborg - https://www.facebook.com/LindsborgCity/videos/1053983356572953
3. Lindsborg - https://www.facebook.com/LindsborgCity/videos/1053983356572953
4. Lindsborg - https://www.facebook.com/LindsborgCity/videos/1053983356572953
5. McPherson - https://www.mcphersoncountyks.us/949/BOCC-Recent-Agendas-Minutes-and-Video