10/23/2026
10.22.2026 City Commission Meeting Recap
𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐏𝐚𝐬𝐭, 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞’𝐬 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞
A special moment at Thursday’s City Commission meeting was the celebration of Textron Aviation’s 30th anniversary in Independence. 🛩️
The Commission approved a proclamation honoring three decades of aircraft manufacturing at the Independence Municipal Airport. Today, the facility employs more than 600 people and is one of Montgomery County’s largest employers.
Mayor Dean Hayse, who attended the facility’s grand opening 30 years ago and later spent 20 years of his career working there, reflected not only on the anniversary but also on what it took to bring Cessna, now Textron Aviation, to Independence in the first place.
He emphasized that the project did not happen by accident. It took a partnership among the City of Independence, Montgomery County, Montgomery County Action Council (MCAC), and the State of Kansas, along with leaders who shared a vision for the future and were willing to make the investments necessary to bring the facility to Montgomery County.
Thirty years later, that investment continues to provide jobs and support families. Mayor Hayse reflected on how different Independence and Montgomery County might look today if the leaders at that time had decided the investment was not worth making. His message was an important one: economic development is not simply about what an investment costs today, but what that investment can mean to a community and its families for generations to come.
Commissioner Scott Smith, who was Mayor when Cessna was considering and ultimately located the facility at the Independence Municipal Airport, shared his firsthand perspective on the work involved in bringing the project together. He recalled the excitement surrounding the project and the belief at the time that Cessna was coming to Independence to be part of the community’s long-term future.
Paula Schabel, General Manager of Textron Aviation’s Independence facility, spoke on behalf of the company and expressed appreciation for the collaboration and support the company has received over the years.
Thirty years later, the Textron Aviation facility is a reminder of what can be accomplished when the City, County, MCAC, State, private investment, and community leadership work together toward a shared goal.
🛩️ We’re proud to celebrate 30 years of Textron Aviation in Independence!
Other highlights from the October 22 meeting included:
🚑 Regional EMS Resource: The Commission approved an agreement with Labette Health that provides an additional resource for interfacility ambulance transfers when local resources are unavailable. The service is not intended to replace local 911 response.
🏘️ Neighborhood Cleanup and Rehabilitation: The Commission held 10 public hearings involving dangerous and unsafe structures. Three properties were condemned, while hearings involving several other properties were continued to allow additional time where rehabilitation, ownership changes, or other corrective efforts were underway.
Demolition of the first group of 21 unsafe residential structures previously approved for removal is approximately 65% complete. Staff also has begun the condemnation process for 43 additional properties identified as having no utility service. These properties are under consideration through the condemnation process and have not all been approved for demolition.
🏡 Housing: Four homes have been sold in the Jefferson Subdivision. Of the eight homes currently available, two will be offered for lease in response to demand from individuals relocating to Independence who may prefer to lease before purchasing.
🏢 New Investment: The Commission approved rezoning at 200 S. 10th Street, where a new business plans to use the former church property for a mortgage office and food pantry.
🏠 Short-Term Rentals: The Commission approved conditional use permits for two short-term rentals. The property at 1017 W. Myrtle Street will operate as a whole-house rental, while 930 Circle Drive will be a hosted rental, with the owner remaining in the home and renting a bedroom and bathroom.
💧 Infrastructure: Public Works provided updates on several water and infrastructure projects. Engineering recommendations identified three areas requiring repair at the dam. The first project, addressing the downstream toe/apron area, is estimated at approximately $210,000 to $240,000 and is expected to be scheduled within the next six to 18 months.
📈 Sales Tax: Through September, the City had collected $1,996,448 from the 1% sales tax and was projecting approximately $2.66 million for the year, slightly above budget.
🎃 Neewollah Preparations: Police Chief Dustin Stafford provided an update on Neewollah safety preparations, including coordination with Homeland Security, assistance from additional law enforcement agencies, street closures, parade preparations, and accessible parking.
From celebrating an economic development partnership that continues to benefit our community 30 years later to continued work on housing, neighborhoods and infrastructure, there is a lot happening in Independence.
𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐝𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬: https://independenceks.portal.civicclerk.com/
The next regular meeting of the Independence City Commission is scheduled for November 12, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall.
