CITIZEN PETITION FOR WATER SYSTEM ACCOUNTABILITY, RESIDENT REMEDIATION, PUBLIC FINANCIAL TRANSPARENCY, AND IMMEDIATE CORRECTIVE ACTION

To:

The Mayor of Salina, City Commissioners, City Manager, Public Utilities Department, Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), and Other Appropriate Oversight Agencies

Purpose

"Nothing in this petition should be interpreted as an allegation of wrongdoing. Rather, the purpose is to obtain transparency, documentation, accountability, and corrective action regarding matters of significant public concern."

We, the undersigned residents, taxpayers, business owners, and stakeholders of Salina, Kansas, respectfully submit this petition demanding transparency, accountability, resident remediation, and immediate corrective action regarding longstanding water infrastructure concerns and related public financial questions.

For years, residents have reported concerns including discolored water, sediment, recurring service issues, appliance damage, plumbing impacts, and other quality-related concerns. Residents have been informed that significant infrastructure improvements may not be funded or completed for several more years despite the apparent longstanding nature of these issues.

Citizens deserve clear answers regarding:

- The condition of the water system.

- The history of known infrastructure concerns.

- The timeline of decisions made by city leadership.

- The impact on affected residents.

- The status of environmental remediation funds associated with the former Schilling Air Force Base.

The purpose of this petition is to secure transparency, remediation, accountability, and a documented path toward resolution.

SECTION 1 – INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION

We request an independent investigation and public report within thirty (30) days addressing:

- The nature and extent of the water infrastructure issue(s).

- When the issue was first identified.

- When city staff became aware.

- When city leadership and commissioners were informed.

- Engineering recommendations received.

- Budget recommendations made.

- Corrective actions taken or deferred.

- Whether residents were adequately informed.

- Whether all applicable regulatory requirements were followed.

The findings shall be made publicly available.

SECTION 2 – FULL PUBLIC DISCLOSURE

We request release of all non-exempt records related to these matters, including:

- Engineering studies.

- Water quality reports.

- Infrastructure assessments.

- Capital improvement plans.

- Consultant reports.

- Budget discussions.

- Risk assessments.

- Internal recommendations.

- Historical records documenting when the issue first became known.

Residents deserve to know:

- What was known.

- When it was known.

- Who knew.

- What actions were taken.

- Why corrective action was delayed.

SECTION 3 – IMMEDIATE CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN

Within thirty (30) days, provide a written public action plan that includes:

- Current status of the issue.

- Interim mitigation measures.

- Project milestones.

- Funding sources.

- Start dates.

- Completion dates.

- Quarterly progress reports.

If repairs cannot occur immediately, residents deserve a detailed explanation of why repairs have been delayed and what protections exist in the meantime.

SECTION 4 – RESIDENT REMEDIATION PROGRAM

Residents should not bear the financial burden of prolonged infrastructure failures.

We therefore request creation of a Water Impact Remediation Program that includes:

- A formal claims process.

- Utility bill credits or temporary billing relief for affected households.

- Review of accounts in impacted service areas.

- Consideration of reimbursement for documented expenses related to water quality concerns, including:

  - Bottled water

  - Water testing

  - Water filtration systems

  - Plumbing repairs

  - Appliance repairs or replacement

  - Property cleaning costs

  - Other documented damages

Residents experiencing documented impacts should have access to a fair review process and meaningful assistance.

SECTION 5 – ACCOUNTABILITY REVIEW

We request a formal performance review of all responsible departments, leadership personnel, contractors, consultants, and decision-makers involved in:

- Water system management.

- Infrastructure oversight.

- Budget planning.

- Public communication.

- Regulatory compliance.

This review should determine:

- Whether recommendations were ignored.

- Whether corrective action was unnecessarily delayed.

- Whether residents were adequately informed.

- Whether operational failures occurred.

- Whether leadership changes, policy changes, or corrective measures are warranted.

Where negligence, mismanagement, failure to disclose material information, or failure to act is identified, appropriate corrective and disciplinary action should be considered.

SECTION 6 – SCHILLING AIR FORCE BASE ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION FUND TRANSPARENCY

Residents request a complete public accounting of all funds received, held, expended, invested, transferred, or otherwise managed in connection with environmental remediation associated with the former Schilling Air Force Base.

Specifically, we request disclosure of:

- Total funds received.

- Current fund balance.

- Total expenditures to date.

- Interest earned.

- Remaining liabilities.

- Future remediation obligations.

- Fund restrictions.

- Any transfers or reallocations.

- The location of these funds and liabilities within the City's financial statements.

 

If approximately $65.9 million was received for remediation purposes, residents deserve a complete accounting of how those funds have been managed and what balance remains today.

SECTION 7 – HISTORICAL CONTAMINATION REVIEW

Residents request a formal review regarding any potential relationship between historical environmental contamination associated with the former Schilling Air Force Base and current concerns reported by residents in affected neighborhoods, including the Dover Drive area.

Specifically, we request:

- Maps showing known contamination areas.

- Groundwater monitoring maps.

- Historical and current testing data.

- Documentation regarding contaminant plume boundaries.

- Assessment of whether the Dover Drive area has been evaluated.

- Identification of monitoring wells in or near affected neighborhoods.

- Written findings from qualified environmental professionals regarding whether historical contamination could reasonably impact the area.

This request is not intended to presume a connection exists, but to provide residents with clear, evidence-based answers.

SECTION 8 – PUBLIC TOWN HALL

Within sixty (60) days, hold a public town hall dedicated exclusively to these issues.

The meeting should include:

- Presentation of findings.

- Resident testimony.

- Public questions and answers.

- Discussion of remediation options.

- Review of funding strategies.

- Review of project timelines.

SECTION 9 – ONGOING PUBLIC REPORTING

Until all identified issues have been resolved, provide quarterly public updates that include:

- Water testing data.

- Project status.

- Budget expenditures.

- Timeline updates.

- Resident remediation statistics.

- Progress toward final resolution.

SECTION 10 – REGULATORY REVIEW

If a satisfactory response, investigation, and corrective action plan are not initiated within thirty (30) days of receipt of this petition, petition signers request that all supporting documentation be submitted to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and any other appropriate oversight agencies for independent review.

SECTION 11 – PUBLIC FINANCIAL TRANSPARENCY AND FISCAL ACCOUNTABILITY
We respectfully request increased transparency regarding the City's finances so residents can better understand how taxpayer dollars are allocated and how spending priorities are established.

Specifically, we request:

A plain-language public report summarizing major sources of City revenue and expenditures.

A status update on significant capital improvement projects and their funding.

An explanation of how infrastructure priorities are ranked and funded.

Public reporting on grants, settlements, and restricted funds received by the City, including their intended purpose, expenditures to date, remaining balances, and any legal restrictions on their use.

Clear explanations of how budget decisions are made when critical infrastructure projects are delayed.

An annual public financial accountability presentation with opportunities for citizen questions.

STATEMENT OF COMMUNITY INTEREST

This petition is not motivated by politics.

It is motivated by public health, transparency, accountability, responsible stewardship of public funds, protection of residents, and restoration of public trust.

Citizens deserve safe and reliable infrastructure.

Citizens deserve honest communication.

Citizens deserve remediation when public systems fail.

Citizens deserve accountability when known problems remain unresolved.

Citizens deserve transparency regarding public funds received for environmental remediation.

We believe transparency strengthens public trust, promotes informed civic participation, and helps ensure taxpayer resources are managed responsibly and in the best interests of the community.

We respectfully request immediate action on behalf of the residents of Salina, Kansas.