Within six minutes, commissioners from Saline County and City of Salina reached agreement on mitigating the impacts of the solid waste landfill in Saline County.  The City agrees to pay the County an annual “road impact fee” of $90,000 in 2019.  This figure will be adjusted annually to reflect highway construction costs.  In 2020 and 2021, the annual adjustment will include an additional $45,000 each year.

The agreement includes the conveyance of County right-of-way and easements so the City becomes responsible for maintenance of Marymount Road from North Street to Old 40 Highway.  In addition, the City will maintain West Magnolia Road between Centennial Road and the city limits.  The County will maintain the full width of roads adjoining the city landfill, on all four sides.  The County agrees not to request the City annex any roads as long as the agreement in is effect and the City continues to pay the road impact fee.

In December 2014, Saline County filed suit in Saline County District Court seeking to force the City to annex certain county highways within the city limits {KSA 12-520(f), now KSA 12-520(e)}.  The City disagreed with a portion of the district court’s ruling, which sent the matter before the Kansas Court of Appeals in 2018.  The agreement authorizes Salina’s mayor to execute a verified joint petition to vacate an injunction to Saline County District Court Case No. 14-CV-391.

In a joint meeting of the City and County Commissions on Monday, February 4th, County Chairman Robert Vidricksen brought the County Commission to order.  Monte Shadwick moved that the County adopt the proposed agreement; his motion carried unanimously, followed by a unanimous motion to adjourn.  Then City Mayor Trent Davis called the City Commission to order.  Melissa Rose Hodges moved that the City adopt the proposed agreement; her motion carried unanimously.  With that, Vidricksen and Davis shook hands.