We are running for Salina City Commission because, like you, we are tired of seeing tax dollars wasted while property taxes continue to climb year after year.
One of the clearest examples is the city’s costly fight over the mural at The Cozy Inn, a Salina landmark that brings thousands of visitors to our community and is celebrated nationwide as one of the top burger spots in America. Instead of celebrating what Cozy Inn means to Salina, the city has spent hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars on a legal battle over free speech. That was the final straw for us, and it is why we decided to run.
Here are the facts:
From 1997 to 2023, property taxes in Salina rose at twice the rate of inflation.
The mill levy increased by 15 points.
In that same time, our population grew only 4 percent, and last year it actually shrank by more than 300 people.
This is unsustainable. Families and businesses are telling us the same thing. The cost of living, housing, and taxes in Salina are pushing people away.
We believe the City Commission should focus on the basics. Public safety must remain strong with fully supported police, fire, and EMS. Infrastructure like roads, flood control, and public works must be properly maintained instead of being neglected until repairs become more costly. Local government should encourage business growth and free enterprise, not stand in the way.
Salina has great potential. We have a strong manufacturing base and a Technical College that can help meet the demand for skilled workers without burdening students with heavy debt. We have a phenomenal airport and the opportunity to expand aviation maintenance partnerships, attract military training flights, and bring new dollars into local businesses. We have a downtown we can all be proud of, and neighborhoods that deserve stability and growth.
We love this city, and we believe in its future. To move forward, we need leaders who will protect taxpayers, respect your hard-earned money, and focus on making Salina a place where families want to stay and thrive.
On Election Day, Tuesday, November 4th, we ask for your support.
Vote for Keith Cooper, Johnnie Keller, and Doug Rempp.
We care about you, your families, your tax dollars, and the future of Salina.
Paid for by Cooper, Keller, and Rempp for Salina City Commission
