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Salina Regional Health Center Service Auxiliary Fall Rummage Sale

Other

Sep 19, 2025
9 a.m.
4-H building in Kenwood Park

Fundraiser for the Salina Regional Center Service Auxiliary. The proceeds go towards our commitment to the Rebecca Morrison House and …

7124 Views

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Here's what's going on around Salina today!

Salina Business Expo

Event

10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Tony's Pizza Events Center, 800 The Midway, Salina, KS 67401

New in 2025, the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce Business Expo is launching as the region’s premier…

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Salina Business Expo

Event

10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Tony's Pizza Events Center 800 The Midway Salina, Kansas United States

The Salina Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the launch of its first Salina Business Ex…

Learn More 10478 Views

City Commission Candidate Forum

Event

6:00 PM
Trinity United Methodist Church 901 E. Neal Ave.

Salina City Commission Candidate Forum

Learn More 8155 Views

"That Librarian" by Amanda Jones

Event

6:15 PM - 7:45 PM
Salina Public Library

Fantastic Non-Fiction selections consist of titles that are engaging, compelling and go beyond stuf…

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Underwater Hotel Escape Room

Event

6:15 PM - 7:30 PM
Salina Public Library

You've been invited to Oceanic Suites, the world's first underwater hotel for their grand opening! …

Learn More 10478 Views

Kelly Hunt, Live at Big Booty Trudy's

Event

7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Big Booty Trudy's Speakeasy & Cigar Bar 509 S. Broadway Salina, Kansas

Kelly Hunt, Live at Big Booty Trudy's

Learn More 10478 Views

Smoky Hills Audubon Program

Event

7:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Kansas Wesleyan Peter’s Science Hall Rm 229

Jim Griggs photographer will be presenting on Costa Rica’s Amazing OSA Peninsula. Come at 7:00 pm f…

Learn More 5274 Views

Today's Polls

Are there too many potholes in Salina?

Active Sep 18, 2025

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Community Analytics

Saline County Jail Population

The male and female jail population at the Saline County Jail (as of 6:00 am each morning).

182

Current Value

-7.0 (-3.7%)
vs. Previous

114 data points

Community Stories

Sand Volleyball Courts at Jerry Ivey Park Almost Complete After Two-Year Process

The sand volleyball courts at Jerry Ivey Park are nearing completion after a two-year process, according to an update provided …

Parks and Recreation

Sep 18, 2025 Read Story →

Questions & Answers

While the City hasn't raised Property Tax we're all experiencing asset inflation so we're paying more in property taxes. 1. Isn't this taxing unrealized gains? And the City is taking in more in taxes because of this. 2. Do you think the City should be reducing the mill levy instead of keeping it flat?

Official Keith Cooper

Sep 18, 2025

Yes, I guess in a way they are taxing unrealized gains if you buy a house for $200k and it's now worth $300k but you haven't sold the property you haven't received that profit yet. Maybe we could look at something like you pay the property tax at the valuation when you purchased or built the property for the duration that you own the property? I am open to new ideas that keep more money in the pockets of the people. They have to be taking in more revenue with valuations being so high and increasing every year if the mill levy stays the same. I would be in favor of reducing the mill levy and think they should have done that in previous years, I do not like property taxes and they should be kept as low as possible. I could go on and on about property taxes, how it affects retirees on a fixed income, landlords pass it on to their renters etc. it affects everyone except those that are exempt.

Official Johnnie Keller

Sep 18, 2025

Why do we say we own a home, yet if we don't pay the taxes on it after we already have bought it the city will take it. Why do seniors, those on fixed income and disabled veterans pay taxes? Haven't they already done their fair share? I think so! Why since 1997 (in Salina), has our property taxes gone up more than TWICE that of inflation? Why has the mill levy by the city increased by 15% during that same time frame, yet we have only had an increase of only 4% in population growth? In the last five years, Kansas has lost 7% of its population while states like Tennessee have grown by 10% during that time frame. Why is that? Taxes are lower in Tennessee and there isn't any income tax that's why. Why are people moving to Florida and Texas? Taxes are part of the problem and I am for reducing the mill levy and making the government operate much more efficiently and responsibly to make the tax burden less on our citizens.

Official Doug Rempp

Sep 18, 2025

Property Taxes, keeping the Mill flat is certainly better than it going up. Unfortunately, the city portion of our property tax bill is only 21% so 79% is an issue out of our control. I have seen/heard in the last few months that 36% (I think) of our Taxable Property is not on the tax rolls. Now we are considering a massive tax incentive package for Central Mall. That probably would push that 36% number closer to 40%. That would mean the remaining 60% of taxable property has to pay 40% higher bills to make up for the Tax Exempt or Abated Properties. This is a longer term issue as I believe these deals (For the Developer/Owner) typically last 20 years. Seems like if it's a viable business idea, it should stand on its own and not Burden the taxpayer and pull business from already established businesses in town. We need to decide what we want to be when we grow up. We are never going to be Overland Park West or have a Shopping Center like The Legends. Focus on our attributes we have going for us, a Regional Hub and the Crossroads of the US!

If you are elected, what would you do to resolve the homelessness issue in Salina?

Official Keith Cooper

Sep 18, 2025

I believe the homelessness issue is an economic, cultural and societal issue. There is no doubt that we have serious economic problems nationwide. The cost of housing, food, transportation, almost every basic everyday need is far outpacing the inflation especially over the last five years and a lot of people cannot keep up with it. Not to mention health insurance, medical debt is the number one cause of bankruptcy in America but health insurance is becoming unaffordable and oftentimes isn't enough to cover all medical costs. As far as cultural and societal issues, drug and alcohol abuse and mental health issues are clear problems. For now, I think all we can do as a city is try to find ways to support our non profits like Ashby House, Salina Grace and the Rescue Mission.

Official Johnnie Keller

Sep 18, 2025

Resolving the homeless issue is a very complicated problem that has been part of every society since recorded time. Salina offers assistance for the homeless through various agencies and volunteer organizations. The rescue mission, The Asby House, and Salina Grace as well as Central Kansas Mental Health or CKF. With all of these programs and institutions right here in Salina, we have become a "go-too" place for central Kansas and beyond for the homeless. A recent report (slide show) that was presented to the city leadership showed that Salina has had a 32% increase in out of county homelessness. I would think that we would want to help our own county citizens well before helping people from other places who aren't doing what they can for their own citizens. If someone is coming to Salina for CKF and they fail, do they get to stay here? If they successfully complete the program and they aren't from Saline county, do they go back to their home of record or do they stay here and wander our streets? If CKF gets a certain amount of people, do they get more Federal and State Tax dollars?

Official Doug Rempp

Sep 18, 2025

Homelessness, we have some great Community Partners with the Salina Rescue Mission, Ashby House, and Salina Grace. I'm not sure it can be solved. The Rescue Mission has been in operation for over 40 years. I hear stories of other Communities giving Homelessness People a ride to Salina. It would be interesting to know where the People at the Mission came from. Those living on the street present the biggest challenge as they have concluded for whatever reason the street is the best place for them and or their lifestyle. We can't make them comfortable as we only encourage more in our Community. Just have to look at Communities that have success and try their best practices.