The Severy City Council meets monthly on the first Monday of each month at 7 p.m. The following report was generated from the approved minutes of the June 1 meeting, which were approved at a recent meeting.
The Severy City Council approved an additional principal payment on the city’s road grader loan and took steps to pay off its sewer lagoon project during its regular meeting on June 1 at City Hall.
Council members unanimously approved an extra payment of $9,942.48 toward the principal of the road grader loan. City Clerk Tessa Riggs said the city has reached the halfway point of the year and, if road milling projects do not materialize, additional payments could be made to reduce the debt sooner. The council also discussed refinancing the final payment, currently due in 2028, but learned that refinancing would likely come with a higher interest rate.
The council also voted to make the final payment on the city’s sewer lagoon project loan, paying the remaining $2,801.70 balance plus any accrued interest. Riggs explained that a 90% grant from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment significantly reduced the remaining debt, allowing the city to retire the loan years ahead of its original 2029 payoff schedule.
Water Superintendent Paul Schmidt reported several recent projects, including improvements at Twin Grove Cemetery. Members of the West Elk FFA chapter assisted during a workday by resetting several fallen headstones, making mowing easier, and the new cemetery directory building has been completed. The structure will be painted at a later date.
Schmidt said the city plans to rely on Water-Wise Enterprises to assist with water plant operations while part-time employee Marc Mitchell is on a 10-day vacation. He also reported longer backwash cycles at the water plant, noted that the city’s older mower requires repairs, and recommended installing a Kawasaki engine if a replacement motor becomes necessary.
The council also discussed a property owner who excavated a sewer line last year but has yet to refill the excavation, leaving part of an alley exposed. City Attorney William McClendon recommended determining whether the city holds an easement before pursuing further action.
Marvell and Jenelle Summerow of WaterWise Enterprises introduced themselves to the council and outlined potential savings by purchasing treatment chemicals through their company.
According to comparisons prepared by the city clerk, switching suppliers could save the city approximately $2,600 annually, along with reducing delivery charges by anywhere from $75 to $250 because WaterWise already services Severy several times each week. The company is also reviewing additional chemicals currently used by the city for possible cost reductions.
The council also addressed an issue involving property at 99 S Road, where an attempted annexation approved in 2014 was never legally completed. Riggs explained that although an ordinance was published at the time, required paperwork was never properly recorded with Greenwood County, and annexation documents lacked necessary signatures, dates and notarization. As a result, the property has remained outside the city’s tax rolls for the past 12 years despite receiving city utilities. Council members approved surveying the property and directed McClendon to prepare new annexation documents after receiving a signed request from the current property owners seeking inclusion within the city limits.
Council members continued reviewing proposed Ordinance 443 concerning the city’s Community Revitalization Program. Council members requested revisions and planned to review the updated ordinance during their July meeting.
The council also tabled discussion of a scheduled 4% rate increase from Waste Connections until July, pending results of a Midwest Assistance Program rate analysis. Clerk Riggs also shared a quote from Hickman Environmental regarding a new sewer lift station for the north end of town; however, the council noted there was another avenue they wanted to look into.
As work begins on the 2027 budget, council members identified making additional road grader payments and exploring replacement heating and air conditioning systems for City Hall as potential priorities.
Following a 20-minute executive session with the city attorney to discuss matters protected by attorney-client privilege, the council reconvened with no action taken.
The council approved the May 2026 minutes, bills and treasurer’s report as presented.
Mayor Donna Wiss expressed appreciation to all who assisted in getting the cemetery and town in good condition for Memorial Day weekend. She also expressed appreciation to Mitchell for the shelf he made for the directory building at the cemetery.
The meeting adjourned at 9:42 p.m.
The next Severy City Council monthly meeting will be held on Monday, Aug. 3 at 7 p.m.
