Colby City Council meets Sept. 16

September 16, 2025
New playground equiment has been installed at Young Memorial Park, next phase is to insatll landscape around the structure prior to opening for play

The Colby City Council gathered on September 16 for a full agenda that touched on road safety, recreation, storm recovery, and long-term infrastructure planning.

The council approved the third amendment to the tower lease with American Towers LLC, a contract that dates to 1993, generating revenue for the city for years to come.

Thomas County Roads and Bridges Department’s Clair Shrock presented information on a proposed roundabout at the busy “Nine-Mile Corner,” where K-24 and K-83 intersect east of Colby. Trucking companies had approached the county with concerns about safety at the crossing.

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Shrock explained that studies show roundabouts reduce injury crashes by more than 70 percent and nearly eliminate fatalities. The proposed design would be large enough to accommodate oversized loads, including farm equipment and wind turbine blades.

The estimated $6 million project could be fully funded through KDOT, without cost to the county. A community town hall is expected in the coming weeks, and KDOT’s October 15 regional meeting in Colby will provide another forum for discussion.

Dave Williams provided an update on the West Side Park trail project, a 1.1-mile natural surface loop that is already in use by neighbors and the Colby Middle School cross country team. Volunteers and trail-building equipment from the Kansas Trails Council are helping to refine the path.

Williams suggested the city plan a ribbon-cutting next spring. He also announced that Colby will field a sanctioned NICA (National Interscholastic Cycling Association) team for grades 5–12 this spring, with registration opening October 1.

Work has begun at West Side Park, it's expected to take six month for the trail to be manacured naturally

Approvals and Payments:

  • $48,000 to PENCO Engineering for inspection and testing of the K-25 overlay project.
  • $159,135 to Phillips Southern Electric for storm damage repairs at the baseball fields.
  • $10,849 to Cypress Engine to cover final costs on engine maintenance and shipping.

    • Council noted that the generator fleet now has 6 working units and one to be delivered, with plans to train city staff to handle future maintenance.

    The council unanimously adopted the 2026–2030 Capital Improvement Plan, which sets aside departmental savings for long-term projects ranging from public safety to infrastructure.

    City staff highlighted the upcoming Rock’n Recovery event at High Point Services, scheduled for September 20 in Fike Park, featuring food vendors, bouncy houses, face painting, and community activities.

    It was also noted that the new playground at Young Memorial Park has been fully installed with support from the Thomas County Community Foundation and city funds. Landscaping is the final step.

    The meeting concluded with adjournment after brief closing remarks.

    by Derek White