Salina City Commission Approves Amended 2025 Budget After Public Hearing
The Salina City Commission unanimously approved an amended 2025 city budget Monday following a required public hearing, authorizing increases across five city funds to account for higher-than-expected expenses.
Kansas law requires cities to hold a formal public hearing and publish notice at least 10 days in advance before adopting an amended budget. The notice for Salina’s hearing was published Dec. 10, 2025.
General Fund Adjustment
The largest amendment affects the city’s General Fund.
The originally approved 2025 General Fund budget totaled $60,617,186. Updated projections now estimate year-end expenditures of approximately $62.6 million, creating a shortfall of just under $2 million.
City staff attributed the increase to several unplanned costs, including commission-approved actions related to a log jam in the Smoky Hill River, higher-than-expected employee retirement payouts, increased overtime, and severance expenses.
To address the gap, staff recommended increasing the General Fund budget by $1,982,814, bringing the amended total to $62.6 million.
Parks and Recreation Fund
The Special Parks and Recreation Fund also required adjustment.
The original 2025 budget for the fund was $200,000. Staff recommended a $30,000 increase to cover mulch replacement at two city parks. The amended Parks and Recreation budget totals $230,000.
Golf Bond Fund
The Golf Bond Fund is projected to exceed its 2025 budget due to higher-than-expected part-time labor costs and increased utility expenses.
Staff recommended increasing the fund by $60,826, bringing the amended Golf Bond Fund budget to $1,003,250.
During the public hearing, a resident questioned whether water costs were related to irrigation. City staff explained that the golf course irrigation system is supplied by an irrigation pond that collects stormwater rather than city water. Staff said further analysis would be needed to identify the precise cause of the higher water bills.
Workers Compensation Fund
Workers compensation claims in 2025 have exceeded initial projections.
Through October, claims were approximately $20,000 higher than the original $300,000 budget. Staff recommended a $50,000 increase to ensure adequate funding for the remainder of the year, bringing the amended total to $350,000.
Health Insurance Fund
The Health Insurance Fund also required an increase.
Claims are projected to exceed the original 2025 budget by approximately $200,000. Staff recommended increasing the fund by that amount, bringing the amended health insurance budget to $7,728,000.
Public Hearing and Vote
No members of the public spoke in opposition during the public hearing.
Following discussion, the Salina City Commission voted 5–0 to approve the 2025 amended budget as presented.
With approval, a certified amended budget will be submitted to Saline County for filing with the State of Kansas, completing the city’s required budget process for 2025.