To the Mayor and Salina City Commission:

We, the undersigned residents and taxpayers of Salina, Kansas, respectfully request that the City Commission pause the use of additional taxpayer funds for the ongoing appeal in the Cozy Inn litigation unless and until the Commission publicly demonstrates that continuing the appeal is in the best financial interest of the community.

The City has already spent hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars defending this case, and those costs continue to grow. At the same time, our community faces significant needs, including infrastructure improvements, water system investments, public safety, housing, and other essential services.

This petition is not about taking sides in the underlying legal dispute. It is about responsible stewardship of public funds and ensuring that taxpayers understand the costs, risks, and expected benefits of continuing the litigation.

We respectfully ask the City Commission to:

1. Suspend any additional discretionary taxpayer funding for the appeal unless legally required.
2. Hold a public hearing explaining the financial and legal justification for continuing the appeal.
3. Release a complete accounting of all taxpayer funds spent on the Cozy Inn case, including attorney fees, outside counsel, court costs, and related expenses.
4. Provide a public estimate of the anticipated additional costs through the conclusion of the appeal.
5. Consider alternative resolutions that could reduce further legal expenses while protecting the City's interests.

We believe transparency, fiscal responsibility, and public trust should guide every significant expenditure of taxpayer dollars.

We recognize that, because this matter remains in active litigation, there may be legal, strategic, or ethical limitations on what City officials and legal counsel can publicly discuss. This petition is not intended to interfere with the judicial process or compromise the City's legal obligations.

Rather, it is a request for the greatest level of transparency and fiscal accountability that can reasonably be provided while the case is pending.

We respectfully ask that any information that cannot currently be disclosed be clearly identified as such, and that a full public accounting be provided once those restrictions no longer apply.

By signing this petition, we are asking our elected officials to place the financial interests of Salina residents first and to ensure that every public dollar is spent wisely, openly, and responsibly.

Respectfully submitted,

The Citizens and Taxpayers of Salina, Kansas