City of WaKeeney

Boards & Commissions

City Planning Commission

Members

  • John Shubert
  • Cheryl Gibson
  • Mark Wood
  • Kent Heckman
  • Brooke Kuntz
  • Cindy Welch
  • Shane Pfeifer: City Council Representative

Overview

The City Planning Commissions makes recommendations to City Council on zoning and building matters.

WaKeeney Public Library Board

Members

Sharon Stupelli, Library Director

  • Daryl Kesler - Term Ends 4/2028
  • Sherry Galloway - Term Ends 4/2029
  • Susan Day - Term Ends 4/2028
  • Bailey Belisle - Term Ends 4/2027
  • Courtney Berning - Term Ends 4/2029
  • Leanna Keller - Term Ends 4/2030
  • Judy Hearting - Term Ends 4/2030

Mayor F. Irene Dirks (ex officio member)

 

Overview

Board meets the 2nd Monday of every month

Library Board members can serve 2 consecutive 4-year terms.

WaKeeney Housing Authority

Members

  • Dawnna Bostick, Director

Board Members

  • Eric Hendrickson
  • Kim Cunningham
  • Mike Tidball
  • Sherrie Galloway
  • Kerah Deines

Overview

Keeney Village is a 30-unit housing complex in February of 1979 for the benefit of elderly and disabled persons. There are 24 1-bedroom and 6 2-bedroom units with rent being based on income.

The board is composed of 5 members that meet the second Monday of each month, with the exeption of March, when they meet at the end of the month to close the fiscal year. 

WaKeeney Travel & Tourism

Members

  • Lynelle Shubert - Director
  • Kirk Johnson 
  • Tasha Malay 
  • Jacque Vice
  • Candice Beutemuller
  • Cheryl Gibson
  • Max Dirks
  • Kent Heckman
  • Abraham Pfannenstiel
  • Christina Hayes
  • Charlene Schumacher

Overview

Each member servers 2-year terms with no term limits.

City Council

Meetings

  • 6:15pm
  • Meets the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month
  • 408 Russell Avenue WaKeeney, KS 67672

Minutes

Agendas are available prior to the meetings. Appointments shall be made prior to 9:00 a.m. on the Friday preceding the Tuesday meetings. If you wish to be placed on the agenda, please contact the clerk's office at 785-743-5791, or email them.

Members

  • F. Irene Dirks - Mayor
    • Term expires: January 2028
  • Dave Anderson
    • Term expires: January 2030
  • Courtney Berning
    • Term expires: January 2030
  • Brent Deines
    • Term expires: January 2030
  • Curtis Flax
    • Term expires: January 2028
  • Shane Pfeifer
    • Term expires: January 2028

Appointments by Mayor

  • City Health Officer - Dr. Paul De Andrade
  • Municipal Judge - Richard A. Flax
  • Court Clerk - Cheryl Augustine
  • City Attorney - Abraham Pfannenstiel
  • City Prosecutor - Abraham Pfannenstiel
  • City Treasurer - Deanne Hope
  • City Administrator/Clerk - Hardy D. Howard
  • City Superintendent - Dusty Billinger
  • Chief of Police - Travis Phillips
  • City Engineers - EBH & Associates
  • Keeney Village Executive Director - Dawnna Knouf
  • Financial Institution - Solutions North Bank
  • Newspaper - Western KS World

Contact Information

Physical Address: 408 Russell Avenue WaKeeney, KS 67672

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 157 WaKeeney, KS 67672

Phone: 785-743-5791

Fax: 785-743-5471

Hours

Monday - Friday

8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Approved Budget & Levy Sheets

  • Budget 2020

Information on Tax Levies

A tax levy is the amount of money that a county/community brings in through personal and property taxes. The property tax levy is raised solely from property owners in the county/community; it is not related to the income taxes paid to the state and federal governments.

Money raised from our property tax levy is generally used for the betterment of the county; uses include roads, law enforcement, EMS/Ambulance service, health department and infrastructure improvement. Special property tax levies are sometimes used for special projects.

Where the property is located determines the tax levy for the upcoming year, after consultation with local recipients of funding to determine their operating needs.

History & Demographics

WaKeeney became the largest city of Trego County and the county seat in March 1880. The site for WaKeeney was selected in 1879 by A.E. Warren and J.F. Keeney, and their Chicago Land Company. The early history of WaKeeney is bursting with many tales of adventures of Indians, cowboys, and home seekers, but Keeney and Warren planned for the town to be first class.

Hotels, drug stores, general stores, lumberyards, and banks, were just a few of the businesses that were established in the town. A first-rate train depot was built along with a beautiful Opera House.

WaKeeney early years had no manufacturing establishments to assist in its growth, but its development came from the prosperity of the farmers who have settled in the county.

Listed below are the latest demographics from the 2010 census for Wakeeney, KS:

  • Total Population: 1924
  • Median Age: 48.8
  • Median Household Income: $38,819
  • Mean Household Income: $50,404
  • Per Capita Income: $23,721
  • Occupied Housing Units: 846
  • Unoccupied Housing Units: 191
  • Average Household Size: 2.09
  • Average Family Size: 2.73
  • Crime Index: Very Low
    Code of Ethics
    1. Declaration of Policy - The proper operation of our government requires that public office and employees be independent, impartial and responsible to the people; that governmental decisions and policy be made in the proper channels and that the public have confidence in the integrity of its government. In recognition of those goals, there is hereby established a Code of Ethics for all officials and employees, whether elected or appointed, paid or unpaid. The purpose of this code is to establish ethical standards by setting forth those acts or actions that are incompatible with the best interests of the city.
    2. Responsibilities of Public Office - Public officials and employees are agents of public purpose and hold office for the benefit of the public. They are bound to uphold the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of this State and to carry out impartially the laws of the nation, state, and city and thus to foster respect for all government. They are bound to observe in their official acts the highest standards of morality and to discharge faithfully the duties of their office regardless of personal considerations, recognizing that the long term public interest must be their primary concern. Their conduct in both their official and private affairs should be above reproach.
    3. Dedicated Service - All officials and employees of the city should be responsive to the political objectives expressed by the electorate and the programs developed to attain those objectives. Appointive officials and employees should adhere to the rule of work and performance established as the standard for their positions by the appropriate authority.Officials and employees should not exceed their authority or breach the law or ask others to do so, and they should work in full cooperation with other public officials and employees unless prohibited from so doing by law or by officially recognized confidentiality of their work.
    4. Fair and Equal Treatment
      1. Interest in Appointments. Canvassing of members of the city council, directly or indirectly, in order to obtain preferential consideration in connection with any appointment to the municipal service shall disqualify the candidate for appointment except with reference to positions filled by appointment by the city council.
      2. Use of Public Property - no official or employee shall request or permit the use of city-owned vehicles, equipment, materials or property for personal convenience or profit, except when such services are available to the public generally or are provided as city policy for the use of such official or employee in the conduct of official business.
      3. Obligations to Citizens - no official or employee shall grant any special consideration, treatment, or advantage to any citizen beyond that which is available to every other citizen.
    5. Conflict of Interest - No elected or appointive city official or employee, whether paid or unpaid, shall engage in any business or transaction or shall have a financial or other personal interest, direct or indirect, which is incompatible with the proper discharge of his or her duties in the public interest or would tend to impair his or her independence of judgment or action in the performance of his or her official duties. Personal as distinguished from financial interest includes an interest arising from blood or marriage relationships or close business or political association.

    Conflicts of Interest

    Specific conflicts of interest are enumerated below for the guidance of officials and employees:

    1. Incompatible Employment - No elected or appointive city official or employee shall engage in or accept private employment or render services for private interests when such employment or service is incompatible with the proper discharge of his or her official duties or would tend to impair his or her independence of judgment or action in the performance of his or her official duties.
    2. Disclosure of Confidential Information - No elected or appointive city official or employee, shall, without proper legal authorization, disclose confidential information concerning the property, government or affairs of the city. Nor shall he or she use such information to advance the financial or other private interest of himself, herself or others.
    3. Gifts and Favors - No elected or appointive city official or employee shall accept any valuable gift, whether in the form of service, loan, thing or promise, from any person, firm, or corporation which to his or her knowledge is interested directly or indirectly in any manner whatsoever in business dealings with the city; nor shall any such official or employee:
      1. accept any gift, favor or thing of value that may tend to influence him or her in the discharge of his or her duties or
      2. grant in the discharge of his or her duties any improper favor, service, or thing of value.

      The prohibition against gifts or favors shall not apply to:

      1. an occasional nonpecuniary gift, of only nominal value or
      2. an award publicly presented in recognition of public service or
      3. any gift which would have been offered or given to him or her if not an official or employee.
    4. Representing Private Interest Before City Agencies or Courts - no elected or appointive city official or employee whose salary is paid in whole or in part by the city shall appear in behalf of private interest before any agency of this city. He or she shall not represent private interests in any action or proceeding against the interest of the city in any litigation to which the city is a party. (Code 1991)

    Departments

    Administration

    Water, sewer, trash and compost carts:

    Utility Service Application (PDF)

    Debit Billing Application (PDF)

    Online Bill Pay

    There is a service charge for using this feature. This charge is collected by Forte Payments.

    Credit card: $2.00
    E-check: $2.00
    Make a Payment

    Water Quality Reports
    CCR - 2026

    Cemetery

    A cemetery directory is located south of the flagpole along the center drive.

    Municipal Court

    The clerk of the Municipal Court is responsible for keeping records of all case files with the court and collecting the fees.

    Fine Schedule

    See a listing of all violations and the fees (PDF) associated with the violations.

    Online Payments

    For Municipal Court Payments Only!
    Pay your fine online. There is a service charge for using this feature. This charge is collected by Forte Payments.

    • Credit Card: 2.5% fee

    Contact Us

    • Physical Address: 216N. Main Street, WaKeeney, KS. 67672
    • Phone: 785-743-5458

    Hours

    • Monday - Friday
    • 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

    Court Days

    • 1st Wednesday of the Month at Noon
    City of WaKeeney Fire Department

    WaKeeney City Fire Station houses 2 structure trucks and 1 quick attack truck.

    Controlled Burns
    To request permission for a controlled burn in WaKeeney, residents must call 785-743-5721.

    All burns must be approved through the Trego County Communications Center prior to starting burns.

    Services

    • Monthly meeting nights
    • Training - Trainings are held once a month for department firefighters
    • Programs are given at the WaKeeney Schools during Fire Prevention Week

    Any WaKeeney resident needing assistance in developing a fire escape plan or placement of alarms and detectors please contact any department member.

    Contact Us

    122 S 2nd Street WaKeeney, KS 67672

    Phone: 785-743-5721

    Emergency Phone: 911

    Public Library

    The library collection contains 23,922 volumes. It circulates 12,698 items per year.

    View the Website Here: https://wakeeney.nwkls.org/

    Police Department

    The WaKeeney Police Department strives to maintain a safe environment for the residents of the City of WaKeeney and all who visit our community. Enforcement includes federal, state, and municipal laws and ordinances. The Department investigates all crimes and traffic accidents that occur in WaKeeney. Other obligations include assistance to the citizen's needs; responding to emergencies and medical needs, assist outside agencies and help make WaKeeney a better place to live.

    Contact Us:

    • Physical Address: 525 Warren Ave. WaKeeney, KS 67672

    Services

    Make a Utility Payment

    Pay your bill with the City of WaKeeney online.

    Secure Utility Bill
    Payment Portal

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    Make a Court Payment

    Pay your bill with the City of WaKeeney online.

    Secure Court
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    Public Transportation

    Phone: 785-743-8150

    Hours: Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

    Cost

    • One-way: $1.75
    • Punch Ticket - 20 One-Way trips: $35
    • Punch Ticket - 20 Round trips: $40

    Please call to schedule a ride. They will require the date, time, and location

    Solid Waste

    Phone: 785-301-2477

    Address: 120 South 4th Street WaKeeney, KS 67672

    Recycling Center/Trash-B-Gone

      We accept glass, aluminum cans, paper, cardboard, magazines, mixed paper & paperback books. No tin cans are accepted.

      Trash Collection

      Trash Collection takes place curbside only. Trash must be bagged and placed in trash container provided by Trash-B-Gone.

      Utilities

      Phone: 785-743-5791

      Fax: 785-743-5471

      Address: 408 Russell Avenue WaKeeney, KS 67672

      Mailing Address: P.O. Box 157 WaKeeney, KS 67672

      Hours: Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

      City of WaKeeney Utility Service Application (PDF)
       (Water, Sewer, Refuse)

      Midwest Energy

      Service Provided: Electricity and Gas
      415 Barclay Ave
      WaKeeney, KS 67672
      785-743-2131
      Visit the Midwest Energy Website

      Nex-Tech

      Service Provided: Telephone (landline and cell) internet, and cable TV
      137 Main St
      WaKeeney, KS 67672
      785-743-2747
      Visit the Nex-Tech Website

      Eagle Communicaitons

      Service Provided: Telephone (landline and cell) internet, and cable TV
      415 Barclay Ave
      PO Box 426
      WaKeeney, KS 67672
      785-743-5616
      Visit the Eagle Communications Website

      Water Park & Shelter

      Admission Fee
      Daily (2 years and under free) $2.50
      Individual season pass $30
      Family season pass (mother, father, children, step children age 23 and under) $100
      Pool party rental (includes 2 hours and 50 people maximum) $150

      Pool Park Shelter Reservation Policy

      To facilitate the use and enjoyment of the Swimming Pool Park Shelter, the following policy has been adopted by the WaKeeney City Council. Reservations are not required but can be made for the use of the shelter by contacting the City Office, 408 Russell Avenue, WaKeeney, KS or by calling 785-743-5791.

      Guidelines

      The shelter will be reserved to groups under the following guidelines:

      • Reservations can only be made 6 months in advance.
      • The shelter can only be reserved for a maximum of 8 hours on any day.
      • No events can be held past 10 p.m.
      • No glass bottles.
      • Excessively loud music or other noise is prohibited.
      • Do not attach any items to the shelter that could damage the powder coated frame.
      • No campfires or fire pits. BBQ grills must be monitored at all times when in use.
      • Please place all trash and food waste in any of the park trash cans or dumpsters before leaving the park.
      • Please do not move the picnic tables or trash cans from under the shelter.

      The City of WaKeeney will post a public notice at the shelter indicating the group name, reservation date and time as soon as the reservation is made but not more than 48 hours prior to the event. Questions can be directed to the City Office at 785-743-5791 during regular business hours or after hours to the WaKeeney Police Department by calling 785-743-5711.

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