By: NICOLAS FIERRO
Salina Post
New seats were filled and an end of term were recognized on Monday's Salina Commission meeting.
The light agenda meeting was comprised mostly of recognizing Doug Rempp as new-elect Salina Commissioner, Greg Lenkiewicz ending his 1-year Mayoral term, Mike Hoppock becoming the Mayor as Jerry Ivey fills the Vice Mayor position and former Commissioner Bill Longbine officially ending his term.
Doug Rempp's comments
With Doug Rempp officially being sworn in as a Salina Commissioner, he commented that he looks forward to making decisions as it is "fuel" for him by keeping his mind occupied.
He mentioned wanting to work on several subject matters such as the Cozy Inn appeal, fiscal responsibility, mill levy and the animal shelter during his two-year term.
"I know this train has left the station, but I would like to do anything I can to put a stop to the Cozy craziness and we will see if anything can be done with that," he said. "Fiscal responsibility is a big thing for me, while our mill levy is in good shape I still would like to find ways to reduce what I feel is wasteful spending. I also would like to take an active role, as I am taking the animal shelter under my umbrella. I have had so many people come up and talk to me about the animal shelter, and hearing them speak about a desire to make it better for the pets."
Rempp also added the vision he would like to see Salina be in during his tenure.
"We are absolutely headed in a great direction. Sometimes I feel maybe we can tap the brakes a little bit, and be extremely cautious of entering into new starbonds or move forward with high-ticket items within the community."
He plans on making a commitment to the 1st meeting of every month during the winter, as he stays in Arizona during the winter season. Starting March 2026, Rempp will consistently be at the Commission meetings.
"My permanent home is here and while I have been out of state these couple of months, I am talking to people, emailing, texting all the time. There has not been any lack of communication. I have had days where I might spend an hour or more on the phone talking with people. I am available and I will be for the people of the community."
Mike Hoppock's comments
Mike Hoppock officially became Salina's Mayor for the third time on Monday.
He commented on several items he wanted the community to know where Salina stands financially.
Those items included projects such as:
- Jerry Ivey Splash Pad, installation
- E. Magnolia road and bridge improvement .
- Broadway and S. 9th Street median upgrades
- Salina Police Department building renovations
- Updating City’s Comprehensive Plan
- Housing:
- Progress on Magnolia Commons, bringing 250 new apartments (1st phase).
- Aero Plains Development completing 1st phase and in process of completing 2nd phase.
- Ryan Addition, process of completing last few homes.
- Stonelake Development, completing infrastructure to open 30 more lots for sale.
- Magnolia Hills and Wheatland Development, process of expansion.
- Cedar Ridge Development, selling lots.
Hoppock added Salina continues to see "strong economic development and growth."
He mentioned Kubota completing expansions of its existing property, as they are expected to begin construction for new testing facility, projecting up to 300 jobs by 2030.
Other economic developments he included were:
- K-AIRES, expected to hire up to 100 people once opened.
- Amazon’s new distribution center.
- SkyWest three-year lease agreement with Salina Regional Airport for maintenance facility.
- Downtown Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funding for shade structures at City Lights Stage.
- Temple parking lot upgrades.
- Chances of discussing new hotel and parking lot to be built in downtown.
Hoppock also commented on property taxes where Salina and Saline County stand, comparing to other cities and counties across the state.
He stated at the end of the 2025 year, Saline County was ranked 90 out of the 105 counties in Kansas for total mill levy. This means there are only 15 counties in the state of Kansas that have a lower mill levy than Saline County.
“This speaks well not only for this Commission, but for the County Commission, school board and the Airport Authority that they have done what they can to keep the mill levy where it is," he said.
He then compared Salina’s mill levy with other cities such as, McPherson, Hays, Dodge City, Garden City, Hutchinson, Great Bend, Emporia, Junction City, Topeka, Manhattan and Lawrence. Hoppock stated out the 12 cities, Salina has the 2nd lowest mill levy rate.
In 2023, Salina’s mill levy was 30.348 and in 2026 it is 28.568.
City of Salina remains under the Revenue Neutral Rate (RNR), which is the property tax rate (mill levy) that generates the exact same amount of property tax revenue, in dollars, as the previous year. Hoppock stated the City has not asked for an increase in revenue or the amount of property tax being collected since 2024.
“I am excited and Salina continues to be a model of public/private partnerships. I think we have alot ahead of us and we continue to be a beacon for other communities in the state of Kansas. If you go around to the other communities, alot of them ask how do you get done what you do in Salina? It is the people, Commission and staff that make this happen."
Hoppock has served as Mayor in 2020 and 2023.
Greg Lenkiewicz' comments
Former Mayor, Greg Lenkiewicz officially ended his Mayoral term on Monday.
During the meeting, he gave comments on the accomplishments and the direction he feels the city is headed.
"We made the right decisions as we focused on improving public safety, parks and rec, infrastructure projects and the hiring of our City Manager," he said. "I feel like we have really gotten alot done and we are moving in the right direction, as we are making this a better place to live. There is alot to be proud of and it has been an honor to serve as Mayor.”
Lenkiewicz will continue to serve Salina as a City Commissioner.
Bill Longbine's comments
Longbine gave a speech during the meeting, as he felt a "sense of pride" serving as Commissioner.
"I can step away with a great deal of pride after serving this community."
He commented on successfully accomplishing, along with his former fellow commissioners on improving public safety, such as adding fire trucks and an upcoming new fire station for the Salina Fire Department.
He added he loved seeing a project that would meet the needs of the community get completed, as he enjoyed his work and engaging with members of the public.
"One of the most rewarding parts in serving this commission, was being part of a process from beginning to end," Longbine said.
He thanked his wife, Donna, Commissioners, City Staff and the people of Salina for his tenure as Commissioner and former Mayor (from January 2024 - January 2025).
Longbine plans to stay in the community and hopes the new Commission will thrive, as well as looking forward to seeing the growth of Salina.