[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6484642,"mediaKeyId","5604057-b800a52bb31bf7a9c97bca7342c9584e","parentId",5604057,"title","City staff: Aetna bid could cut health premiums about 20%; recommends lowering proposed mill-levy increase and funding pay raises","audioSeconds",1061,"startMs",3854000,"endMs",4915000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5604057-b800a52bb31bf7a9c97bca7342c9584e&start=3854&end=4915","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5604057-b800a52bb31bf7a9c97bca7342c9584e/thumbnail_3854000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6484642/Kansas/City-staff-Aetna-bid-could-cut-health-premiums-about-20-recommends-lowering-proposed-mill-levy-increase-and-funding-pay-raises","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6484642-ce032dfae4809487d460c760ce4345e2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770864448&Signature=mrysZqHnafzj0E5s8Fvm4g8D~VbyZd7jDRERY0HnTJBSY1ona5NVjSdLbkAbjNy5fexG49Tn5L9IsYcmTSFnbI2SzyGC24U3rzR5yK6Atm6Own03jkZPXAlMSoThMP6G1ZwOhALEKGUahe0O90aJxww1OQCSMizC0FvY9pr6NVRGmdfvjNX2Gb7UXI74Nj0DAgZ7np8JwU0d0Mnlq-EMHsOym~~fSY-1WBRTlKSGeGCM3WtukNUxawU0ZEByiOMfypYXHOjZFcQtJvKOeINuiFL~wevDJb~nFCPfSiVMMllW4jktuWGetAHkjlbNo9Pq~QRB-APxkRg9XhjtwzS36A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Leavenworth, KS","date","2025-08-20T01:20:26.65Z","article","Human resources staff presented results of a market solicitation for the city’s employee health insurance and told the commission an Aetna bid would reduce projected premiums by roughly 20% compared with current costs, while matching most plan-design features.

Staff said the city had explored the state employee health plan but found rates for that program had increased in recent cycles. An initial renewal quote from UnitedHealthcare (the city’s incumbent carrier) showed an 8.1% decrease from the city’s current premiums, though staff said UnitedHealthcare later produced a separate quote that mirrored state-plan pricing for comparison. The Aetna bid — the lowest received as of the presentation — showed about a 20.69% reduction compared with current rates and was described by staff as similar in deductibles, copays and out-of-pocket maximums to the city’s present plan. Staff said aetna’s network appeared to be broad in the local area but that department staff and the broker were still reviewing plan documents and backend administrative differences.

Dental coverage remains with Delta Dental under a rate guarantee and vision coverage showed a flat renewal through the incumbent contract, staff said.

Using the Aetna numbers, staff proposed reducing the mill-levy increase included in the July 14 budget presentation from an earlier 2.884 mills to about 1.142 mills, and indicated the premium savings could be used to support employee pay increases in the 2%–2.5% range. Staff asked commissioners to permit continued negotiation and to allow them to finalize the carrier selection after final bid clarifications; staff said UnitedHealthcare was also reviewing the market bids and might return with a competitive proposal to retain the city’s business.

Staff noted the trade-off of year-to-year volatility: a lower premium one year could rise the following year, and carriers will not provide multi-year guarantees except in the state plan option (which would have required a three-year lock-in). Staff said final recommendation documents and employee open-enrollment communications were expected within two to three weeks pending final underwriting and any remaining bids.

Commissioners asked about claims-management practices, renewal guarantees and how savings would be distributed among single versus family plan participants. Staff said the finance department would calculate final pay-adjustment allocations and that the broker and HR would continue vetting network adequacy, prior-authorization practices and other administrative details before a final decision.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Leavenworth City Commission Meeting Aug. 19, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","City HR staff said they received multiple bids for employee health insurance and that an Aetna proposal would lower city premiums by roughly 20% compared with the current plan; staff recommended using savings to reduce an earlier proposed mill-levy increase and to fund employee raises, while negotiating with the current carrier.","taxTitle","Leavenworth City, Leavenworth County, Kansas","taxId",53903,"location","Kansas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6484647,"Public Works: 15 miles of corrugated pipe, increasing sinkholes and limited stormwater funding hamper repairs",2524,4928000,7452000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5604057-b800a52bb31bf7a9c97bca7342c9584e&start=4928&end=7452","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5604057-b800a52bb31bf7a9c97bca7342c9584e/thumbnail_4928000.jpg","/articles/6484647/Kansas/Public-Works-15-miles-of-corrugated-pipe-increasing-sinkholes-and-limited-stormwater-funding-hamper-repairs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6484647-46fb78f38d6d65c9ac112b5fe18bd7f1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770864448&Signature=iNPv1in~6buOVwXOH9Y47aZHWNAJKZ10PZ5MCnjLCaoCOKrvJzcIg6v58LBfoU9ZnWRtLNryDfIK2YruPsSi1ktlPsAoCnZZRQgoVEXVxROSVpth87GW4o~maJftpsEIBYPc9EN~zqY1EIVJUSULehiMLr1qvLOCBgcWNvhDMNxA0nqSN1wlEzHvVTz2BZHtls1g5yv~7XBB6Bgcr7MPjRn8j6H97lHT3HQ7WRknp8wFAV1JyNm65fLmvOTCgSD~VJqC-aDK7gCq5FwVOX1MykVrOIJqmdSlnVts7mhBeKIujz4mtHxNLHnhf2wmgm8o2Br4IxcOknA-RaBzY8CU~w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Leavenworth public works staff gave a detailed 2025 infrastructure update to the City Commission, warning that aging stormwater systems — including about 15.5 miles of corrugated metal pipe — are failing and creating sinkholes, erosion and localized roadway collapse.

Public works staff described a series of completed and in-progress stormwater repairs, including new inlet and pipe work on 20th and Seneca, storm-pipe replacement on Sixth Avenue and Spruce, and a Ninth and Osage reconstruction. Staff said crews also replaced a failed 48-inch corrugated pipe at a parking area near the guidance center and repaved the lot using city crews to reduce contract costs.

The department said many failures occur where older corrugated metal pipe corrodes at the invert and creates voids as surrounding material slips into the pipe. Staff estimated 15.5 miles of corrugated pipe in the city and said the stormwater fund collects about $1.1 million per year; with that funding the city can complete roughly four to five projects a year, depending on pipe size and depth. Staff warned that deep replacements (for example 72-inch pipes at 20–25 feet depth) are extremely costly and time-consuming and that the current funding trajectory will not catch up with accelerating failures.

Staff described “orange fence” sites — temporary safety barriers around failing inlets or sinkholes — and said the city maintains a book of more than 100 stormwater projects that will require design, easements and construction. Several sinkhole examples and aerial photos of erosion and failed crossings were shown during the presentation.

Public works also reported related capital work: a 2025 mill overlay program, ultra-thin bonded asphalt surface (UBAS) treatments on Eisenhower, sidewalk grants (including a KDOT-funded ADA ramp project and a Safe Routes to School planning grant), Fourth Street improvements and a list of future stormwater, sidewalk and road projects. The wastewater utility (WPC) is upgrading switchgear, ordering a dewatering press and conducting a master-plan update; staff showed drone footage of the treatment plant and new administrative facilities.

Commissioners asked for project lists and timelines; staff said GIS will publish project maps and story maps to the city website and that inspectors and field crews are tracking calls and project status to keep the public informed. Public works leaders urged the commission to reassess stormwater funding levels, noting the current fund balance and annual receipts cover only a small fraction of the system’s long-term needs.","City public works staff reported widespread stormwater infrastructure deterioration, multiple orange-fence emergency sites and a backlog of more than 100 stormwater projects; staff said the stormwater fund of about $1.1 million per year funds only a handful of major repairs and will not keep up with accelerating system failures.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6484651,"Organizers preview Camp Bloodworth festival lineup, call for sponsors and volunteers",796,3056000,3852000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5604057-b800a52bb31bf7a9c97bca7342c9584e&start=3056&end=3852","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5604057-b800a52bb31bf7a9c97bca7342c9584e/thumbnail_3056000.jpg","/articles/6484651/Kansas/Organizers-preview-Camp-Bloodworth-festival-lineup-call-for-sponsors-and-volunteers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6484651-0990c476d467221dc9b62c5c12ebc35e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770864448&Signature=V7YVbREzIM9nLRlU05mIpxJVeYHgF3k4UwMWKicpC-SkVnCDBadu3lBHtpzxzEmKBcCmA8ovCD2U5NMV1b50YH~PdXBkspmIZ4~13fAbt~4YIKwsfLq8CWiEfCn9c8dsrRpEkgLajguoqsnZNPSepr4zMMRhUSluhJ~neJKBdm5-txv9S6TQ~dMPLipANJUqrlehLqmDXZDWM-Q8RNPmvOOErrl6OxO5Ch9O4sSTdwRx4QMI~MQMR3m1hFYxKo3a5g7s91VilABBIFA3S8tFegqWDmHBdmqdhV6Wb1LtmZVP5n6rw7mhsVDzEcvYIatsygdXG2aT7~k-Zc~qX3iiwA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Organizers provided an update on the upcoming Camp Bloodworth festival (a downtown Leavenworth event) at the commission meeting, outlining vendor, performance and volunteer plans and asking officials and local businesses to assist with sponsorships and outreach.

The event presenter said the festival secured eight food trucks so far; 15 local makers and nine regional makers (with a goal of growing the local maker count into the twenties); 20 vendors for Moonlight Market; and family-friendly programming including carousel tickets in partnership with the Carousel Museum, children’s activities coordinated with local arts groups, a free water refill station, and demonstrations by local skateboarding and pickleball groups. The presenter also said a silent disco will run at night near the train depot and that organizers are exploring partnerships with hotels and radio outlets for marketing.

The musical headliner planned for the festival is the Gin Blossoms; organizers said they are pursuing sponsorships to cover artist fees and will run radio promotions with Mix 93 and 102. Organizers reported 75 race registrations to date and estimated about 250 participants for the race, with final numbers expected to rise closer to the event.

Organizers asked commissioners to help open doors on sponsorship outreach; the presenter said mayoral or commissioner introductions to potential corporate sponsors improve response rates. The group also requested volunteer support for race duties and gate greeting and offered commissioners opportunities to participate in event programming and promotional content.

City commissioners and audience members discussed logistics, volunteers, and marketing partnerships and thanked organizers for planning an expanded slate of activities intended to engage multiple age groups and attract visitors to downtown.","Event organizers said the festival will feature the Gin Blossoms, expanded vendors and family activities, and asked city officials and businesses to help with sponsorships and volunteer support; early registration and vendor counts were reported.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6484656,"Main Street director: strategic plan in place but program risks closure without more funding",2011,1048000,3059000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5604057-b800a52bb31bf7a9c97bca7342c9584e&start=1048&end=3059","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5604057-b800a52bb31bf7a9c97bca7342c9584e/thumbnail_1048000.jpg","/articles/6484656/Kansas/Main-Street-director-strategic-plan-in-place-but-program-risks-closure-without-more-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6484656-c1bb71312d451b674685c3b5bfe757d3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770864448&Signature=XCJRAOtAnhpUtmNM9cLGCTyu7pMkSPo0LMC2fYkNWyLHrEwvHEa9c5i03KKJKKG4RD73GJh9C2Vk6-BWz0C5lL7DsOfmB4w0PiaYXPmAOXAm8dWNC7YGy8ls0xfrh53MfNFSN8WSi19HaTZCf0wjnt1unBzQLtHgf5TWzgvWgOpHeDcaxVafuxR6hS4sU-EedcMQmedG58cKLQpk0HX2r5FK-t3STRX5i56CY-PjXOaxaz5kw-genT4cfuKaHAvXHXJigzKBW~nbQMBMUgBuxmZvZvb29U90hbnEXYbr6mqYBI1fidmfAHKdN3222Wx8D4wjaoqxF1vwNcciiiyOwg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Main Street’s executive director presented the program’s fiscal-year-2024 results to the Leavenworth City Commission and warned that rising costs and limited funding threaten the organization’s ability to continue current services without additional investment.

The director said she joined the organization in March 2024, hired a marketing and events coordinator in June, and oversaw a board leadership change when Scott O’Neil resigned and Ken Bateman stepped in as interim president. Main Street reported increasing revenue during FY24 and delivering a range of downtown programs measured through the group’s four-pillar approach — economic vitality, organization, design and promotion — but staff said operating costs have grown and the organization is at a precarious funding point.

Main Street listed revenue sources that include the city (described as its largest investor), event sponsorships and fundraising, office and apartment rentals, and small grants. The director reported the program put roughly $45,000 of Main Street Bucks into downtown commerce in FY24; she said the school district purchased about $35,000 of those vouchers. The organization reported several event successes including Live After 5 (more than 500 tickets sold), Moonlight Market (300+ attendees the first year, 500–600 the second) and Rev and Rock/Jeep Fest (about 500 attendees this year). The IWW loan program — a 0% loan up to $20,000 for Main Street investors — has supported more than two dozen businesses, the presenter said.

The director said insurance costs rose about 40% this year and other operating costs increased; she said Main Street has only two paid staff (an executive director and marketing coordinator) and relies heavily on volunteers and committee chairs to run programs. She asked city leaders for help in securing additional financial support, in-kind services and partnership opportunities — including possible downtown space and joint economic-development outreach with LCDC and the chamber — to preserve staff capacity and the organization’s work on revitalization and preservation.

Commissioners and audience members pressed for specifics on vacancy strategies downtown, and the director described a developer toolkit, a public art exhibition to activate vacant storefronts, 3D building-scanning plans and a BoonsTracker building-inventory tool to support leasing and investment.

The presentation included a strategic plan developed after a state grant-funded board retreat. The director said the plan focuses on place-based economic development, facade preservation, and diversifying downtown businesses. Main Street noted grants applied for (including a USDA rural business grant for a downtown master plan that is pending) and asked for joint efforts with city economic development to attract larger-scale investment.","Main Street reported FY24 results and a new strategic plan, but the executive director said rising costs and shrinking revenue threaten staff, programs such as Main Street Bucks and veteran banner initiatives, and the organization is seeking additional investment and partnerships to sustain operations.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6484661,"Workforce Partnership to close Leavenworth office, consolidate services to Wyandotte",0,1489000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5604057-b800a52bb31bf7a9c97bca7342c9584e&start=1489&end=1489","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5604057-b800a52bb31bf7a9c97bca7342c9584e/thumbnail_1489000.jpg","/articles/6484661/Kansas/Workforce-Partnership-to-close-Leavenworth-office-consolidate-services-to-Wyandotte","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6484661-0801fa869f7bf8beacf9e764147a797c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770864448&Signature=b56cLxExvqJjDXx~2n46ZiP-a1jo17ccu5jHev79o2EY-PcRNZqvh53G8gU8exR1RW9ktiklxaQPjtm54x26LibX-t2-xWXxtZ~nfPiUsyISshB9TLPVA3d1hJRpJn5fqa84oQgJwh4~iiH934pxJysuvHLn64u3AWnPDZukPkbPqdk-3jK6Ri-U9AOI~CvgKA8Kv~rm4Nig8MOdPsDDcpzIPfyrctumK8xoHB7-3Vj1yOgQwTDI9FInylrvDxZsah4xBeL0wSydQSQit6Un5ixBNvOeFT8XKbS2m4UwMiJ3VyEcEXxjUpiMXZ9olpCTiV0knvG-EKA~jUWRr7X8cg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Workforce Partnership announced at a Leavenworth City Commission meeting that it will close its Leavenworth office and consolidate operations into a single office in Wyandotte County, after recent reductions to WIOA funding and simultaneous lease expirations.

The organization said the Leavenworth office building lease ended in December and that, starting in January, there will be no physical Workforce Partnership location inside Leavenworth. Staff said they are researching satellite sites and virtual-service options and asked local businesses and agencies for space or ideas.

WIOA is the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act program that helps people with barriers to employment obtain skills and credentials. The presenter said Workforce Partnership has served more than 16,000 job seekers overall; conducted 338 regional job fairs attended by about 2,700 people; and worked with more than 1,000 employers across Wyandotte, Leavenworth and Johnson counties. Local figures presented included 161 veteran participants served in the Tri-County area and 25 youth (ages 16–24) served in Leavenworth County, as well as 308 people identified as formerly incarcerated in the program region, 142 of whom were served in Leavenworth County.

The presenter described several programs that will continue to be offered: a Respect Works reentry program that served 165 job seekers with a reported 75% employment rate; registered apprenticeship development (the presenter said 14 registered apprenticeship programs have been developed to date, including recent approvals); and K–12 work-based learning partnerships with area school districts. Staff noted services are free to job seekers and to employers.

City residents asked about customer foot traffic and access if the local office closes. Workforce Partnership staff said daily foot traffic varies, depending on hiring events and weather, and that they have seen as many as 30 visitors in a single day. Staff acknowledged travel to Wyandotte and limited computer literacy among some job seekers will create access barriers and said they plan to expand virtual offerings and partner with local sites (libraries were mentioned) to provide computer access and one-on-one help for resume building and applications.

The presenter asked the community for leads on low-cost or donated space for occasional satellite hours in Leavenworth and said the executive board made the difficult decision after lease expirations and funding cuts impacted all three local offices.

Local officials and several audience members expressed concern about the impact on residents who rely on in-person assistance and suggested exploring partnerships with downtown businesses or library locations to host satellite hours.

Workforce Partnership recommended that residents who need services contact the organization through its business services contact sheet or KansasWorks listing; staff said they will continue outreach and employer engagement across the Tri-County area.","Workforce Partnership said funding cuts to WIOA prompted the decision to end its Leavenworth physical office in December and consolidate to a single Wyandotte County location; staff said they will pursue satellite sites and virtual options while warning travel and digital access will limit some residents’ access to services.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

City staff: Aetna bid could cut health premiums about 20%; recommends lowering proposed mill-levy increase and funding pay raises

Public Works: 15 miles of corrugated pipe, increasing sinkholes and limited stormwater funding hamper repairs

Organizers preview Camp Bloodworth festival lineup, call for sponsors and volunteers

Main Street director: strategic plan in place but program risks closure without more funding

Workforce Partnership to close Leavenworth office, consolidate services to Wyandotte