Colby City Council Blog Post: April 15 Meeting Recap

by Derek White

The Colby City Council held a productive and wide-ranging meeting on April 15, covering topics from housing developments to street maintenance and utility upgrades. Here are the key highlights:

Public Hearing and Approval for $6 Million Industrial Revenue Bonds

The meeting opened with a public hearing regarding the issuance of taxable industrial revenue bonds (IRBs) for Z-TAG Property Management, LLC, to support the Park Place Townhomes project. The bond amount, not to exceed $6 million, will help fund the equipping of 24 unit townhomes. With no public opposition, the council unanimously approved Resolution 1223 to proceed.

City Manager Ron Alexander emphasized the importance of incentivizing development to address Colby’s housing shortage. Financial experts reassured the council that IRBs carry no fiscal liability for the city itself and are strictly tied to the developer.

Council Approves Water Access for Astro Ready Mix

The council approved a request for a city water connection at 2105–2109 US-24 from Astro Ready Mix, a concrete supplier expanding operations into Colby. The new facility plans to offer competitive concrete pricing, decorative rock, and various building materials for local use. Representatives shared plans to bring 7–10 jobs to the area initially, with potential to expand.

City Manager and council members praised the economic benefits of the project and noted the location already has accessible water infrastructure, making the connection feasible.

GPS Tracking for Police Fleet Moves Forward

Colby Police received approval to purchase a GPS fleet tracking system from Verizon Wireless. The system, which includes real-time tracking, maintenance alerts, and route playback features, will improve officer safety, operational efficiency, and public transparency.  The system also aligns with county dispatch tools already in use.

Transformer Replacement Approved for Future Needs

To support upcoming infrastructure demands, including an EV charging station at Pilot, the council approved the purchase of a replacement transformer from Midwest for $38,505. Officials emphasized the importance of maintaining backup equipment for large-scale users and acknowledged rising transformer costs compared to pre-COVID pricing.

Budget Planning Begins for 2026

Council adopted the proposed schedule for preparing the 2026 city budget, with a work session scheduled for July 8. Staff explained how assessed valuations and insurance estimates affect the timeline. The city plans to remain conservative with estimates to ensure financial stability.

Trash Bin Sale and Future Equipment Plans

The council accepted a $71,620 bid from Hill Trash Pickup Inc. for 243 rear-loading dumpsters. Public Works will retain 10 units for temporary use. Discussion also touched on the potential sale of older trucks and a future purchase of a front-loading vehicle.

Street Repairs and Maintenance Move Ahead

A $478,424.66 bid from Bettis Asphalt was approved for mill and overlay work on priority residential streets. The city allocated funds from last year’s budget to help cover the cost and will maintain a buffer for unforeseen issues. Staff also clarified that coordination with KDOT projects and upcoming waterline work is ongoing to avoid overlap.

Final Notes and Future Plans

Alexander announced progress on a tiny home ordinance and an upcoming Department of Commerce visit to Colby. The meeting closed with recognition of the council's support for the public library’s renovation and a brief mention of an executive session.

As Colby continues to grow and invest in infrastructure and housing, these council actions reflect a focus on strategic development, community engagement, and operational readiness.

Stay tuned for further updates from future meetings.