By: GREG LENKIEWICZ
Hello, I’m Greg Lenkiewicz. Thank you for your time and for allowing me the opportunity to share a bit about my background and experience. I am in the final year of my four-year term and currently have the privilege of serving as the Mayor of Salina. I am running for re-election to continue the work that was started in my first term.
I was born in 1972 and raised in Salina. I have also raised both of my children, Sam and Sophie, in this community. I attended school in the USD 305 District and Salina Catholic Schools, completing kindergarten through sixth grade at St. Mary’s. I graduated from Salina South High School in 1991. I then attended Washburn University and graduated in 1995 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice. I chose that course of study because of my desire to serve the public and make a positive difference.
After graduation, I worked security at the Kansas State Capitol under the Capitol Area Police and also as an armored truck driver in the Topeka area for PSI Armored. My career in law enforcement began several months later at the Kansas State University Police Department (KSUPD), where I primarily served on bike patrol. After a brief period with KSUPD in Manhattan, I moved to the Kansas City area to work in Johnson County, serving as a law enforcement officer for approximately four years—most of that time with the Merriam Police Department.
About a year after my son, Sam, was born, we moved back to Salina to be closer to family. I’ve lived in Salina since the late summer of 2000. Upon returning, I worked for a little over a year with the Salina Police Department before transitioning to the private sector as a property manager and real estate investor to help grow our family business, Lenkiewicz Rental Properties. A few years later, Lenkiewicz Property Management was established. I found the traditional work schedule far more conducive to raising a family, and helping expand our family’s business proved very fulfilling. Lenkiewicz Rentals tripled in size within just a few years. I have been fortunate to continue in that field and have been involved in investment real estate for nearly 25 years.
My interest in local politics began about ten years ago when I realized the public service component in my life was missing and wanted to find a way to contribute to the community once again. That opportunity came when I was appointed to the City of Salina’s Planning Commission, where I served for approximately five years before being elected to the City Commission in 2021.
During my four-year term as a City Commissioner, I have had the privilege of participating in numerous programs and projects that have supported continued development and economic growth in Salina. I am running for re-election with the goal of continuing that progress. I was motivated to run for office again because I found my time on both the Planning Commission and City Commission to be extremely rewarding, and I want to continue serving the people of Salina in that capacity.
In my opinion, the most important issues currently facing the Salina community are:
• Workforce development and recruitment • Challenges in providing services and support for our homeless population • Local economic development
Throughout my time on the Commission, I’ve found that we have excellent community partners who do an exemplary job collaborating with our governing body. The Salina Area Chamber of Commerce and the Salina Area Economic Development Organization (EDO) work closely with the City of Salina to proactively address workforce development and economic growth. These partnerships should continue and expand in the future.
Salina Grace and its partners are also doing commendable work serving our homeless population. For approximately two years, the City’s Community Relations Department has collaborated with Salina Grace, and the City of Salina has contributed financially—with Commission approval—to support their continued efforts. I believe that partnership should continue, with an emphasis on serving an even broader group of individuals, including those struggling with addiction and/or mental health issues.
As an elected official, I have always made an effort to view every issue through a nonpartisan and non-denominational lens. I believe all citizens are best served from that perspective, and that approach will not change if I am elected to another term.
Through my academic, professional, and public service experiences, I have had the opportunity to work with people from a wide variety of cultural, religious, and economic backgrounds. From my time in law enforcement to property management and now the City Commission, these experiences have greatly enhanced my ability to view issues objectively and serve the community with fairness and integrity.
I’m also pleased to report that the City of Salina, as a taxing entity, has been revenue neutral for both the 2025 and upcoming 2026 fiscal years. As a result, the mill levy is down 0.849 from 2025.
Despite maintaining a revenue-neutral rate, the City of Salina remains fiscally strong, with a healthy fund balance supported by sound investments and strategic management.
Over the last four years, the Commission has proudly supported incremental and systematic improvements in infrastructure and public safety. My intent is to carry those ideals forward into my second term as a City Commissioner.
Thank you in advance for your support. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions I may answer.
Kind regards,
Greg Lenkiewicz