Submit your questions to the city of Edgerton.
I was curious what they are doing on 1st street. I have asked several people. The city, the gas company and for what ever reason no one knows.
The work along 1st Street is part of a project from Kansas Gas to upgrade the main line that runs through town.
I've heard that Edgerton is lowering taxes, but I keep paying more every year. Can you explain?
Edgerton’s mill levy rate has dropped more than 25% in the last decade. Here’s more information that may help explain what’s going on.
I heard that Edgerton is a billion dollars in debt! Is that true?
No, Edgerton is not a billion dollars in debt. That misleading rumor concerns Industrial Revenue Bonds (IRBs).
IRBs are an economic development tool to provide certain benefits to vertical construction on new development that can include property tax abatements. IRBs are NOT General Obligation Bonds (GO Bonds) and are NOT the responsibility of the City or its residents to pay back. IRBs ARE NOT CITY DEBT.
The property owners that are issued IRBs are required to make their bond payments or they lose their tax abatements, so it is in the best interest of the property owner to make those payments on time. Every January, the City must certify to the County that the property owners are meeting their obligations in order to continue to receive the tax abatement. The City must also report the balances on its IRBs to the County every June.
Does Edgerton have fewer building code restrictions than other cities?
The City of Edgerton adopted the 2018 suite of construction codes published by the International Code Council (ICC), the leading global source of model codes and standards and building safety solutions. This set of comprehensive codes and building standards includes the 2018 International Codes listed below. Most of Johnson County adopted the 2018 ICC suite in 2019.
2018 International Building Code
2018 International Residential Code
2018 International Fuel Gas Code
2018 International Plumbing Code
2018 International Mechanical Code
2018 International Existing Building Code
2018 International Fire Code
2018 International Energy Conservation Code
2017 National Electric Code
Population size does not determine building code and safety requirements in the state of Kansas. Learn more about Edgerton’s codes here.
Is the City of Edgerton actively turning away housing developers to keep our population low?
No, this rumor is entirely false. The City has been actively recruiting housing developers for years. In 2019, Mayor Roberts and James Oltman, the President of ElevateEdgerton!, our economic development partners, appeared on KCUR radio and in several news stories to talk about the city’s struggle with low housing inventory and to recruit builders to this area. So far negotiations with developers have not been successful due to a variety of factors, including large lot sizes, rising costs of construction materials and cost of infrastructure development. Most developers are looking for smaller parcels to test the market, but a majority of available and buildable parcels around Edgerton are much larger and require significant investment to connect to our water and sewer systems. The City of Edgerton desires to increase our population and show more people how amazing this community truly is.
How do I know if I need a building permit?
We have a handy checklist to help you decide if you need a building permit! Download the checklist here. Permits are required whenever you make significant or structural changes to your property, especially anything involving mechanical, plumbing, or electrical. If you have any questions, please contact City Hall at 913.893.6231 and ask for Community Development.
Are there any incentives/programs to help people move to Edgerton, KS?
The City of Edgerton does not currently offer any incentives or programs to assist in relocation expenses for new residents.
The City’s economic development partner, ElevateEdgerton!, recently announced a new grant program to help current residents beautify their properties. The application period opens March 1, 2022.
Hi! I am looking at moving into a rental house in the area and was wondering if the city kept a list of available landlords in the area? I appreciate all your help with this! Thank you!
The City does not keep an active list of landlords.
Does Edgerton allow electric bicycles?
Yes! Electric bicycles and scooters are allowed on any street under 35mph, excluding truck routes.
Are there any plans to better our current network services by bringing in Broadband or Fiber into the city limits?
The City does not currently offer any telecommunication utilities, like broadband or fiber internet services. We also do not control any private business decisions, but we do support efforts to expand high-speed internet services to rural areas of the state of Kansas. To see what type of high speed internet service is available at your property, check out the FCC’s Broadband Map.
What projects has LPKC funded?
The City of Edgerton has already invested nearly $33 million in revenues from Logistics Park Kansas City (LPKC) in several projects bettering our community and significantly improving the quality of life for our citizens. Every other year, the City conducts a citizen survey that is sent to every household in Edgerton. That survey provides citizens the opportunity to rank their top priorities for investment by the City. Since 2013, those priorities have remained constant: investment in street infrastructure, existing parks and park equipment and new trails and sidewalks to increase connectivity in our community.
The City of Edgerton has been able to complete a myriad of projects to benefit the residential community that would have otherwise been impossible or would have taken years to complete. Those projects include, but are not limited to:
- Big Bull Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant (2013)
- Railroad Quiet Zones along Nelson and 207th Street (2014)
- Manor Park Renovation (2016)
- 3rd Street Infrastructure Upgrades (2017)
- Nelson Street Improvements-East 5th to East 6th (2017)
- 8th Street Sidewalk (2017)
- 4th and Nelson Intersection Improvements (2018)
- Martin Creek Trail and Pedestrian Crossing into Big Bull Creek Park (2019)
- Residential Street Reconstruction (2019)
- 1st and Meriwood Stormwater Improvements (2020)
- Stormwater Master Plan (2020)
- Wastewater Master Plan (2020)
- U.S. 56 Trail (2020)
Currently, construction is underway on a $15 million public safety infrastructure improvement project. The 207th Street Grade Separation is fully funded by new revenue generated by LPKC and a $1 million CARS grant from Johnson County. This project would not be possible without funding available from the revenues from development of LPKC. Later this year, work will begin on another park renovation at Glendell Acres. New landscaping, playground equipment and sidewalks are planned. This project is also funded by LPKC. Check out some of the pictures of the projects below.
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- 2019 Street Reconstruction
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- Manor Park
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- 1st and Meriwood Stormwater Improvements
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- Two people walk along the US 56 Trail
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- Wastewater Treatment Plant Grand Opening
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- Pedestrian Crossing between Martin Creek Park and Big Bull Creek Park
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- New sidewalks and pavement between 5th and 6th streets
How/where do I find the schedule for Yard waste pickups?
Trash is normally picked up on Wednesday in Edgerton. The City contracts with Gardner Disposal for trash, recycling, and yard waste collection services. You can find out more by going to their website.
Residents that would like to sign up for any additional services needed such as additional carts (trash or recycle), house-side collection, etc. should contact City Hall (913) 893-6231 during regular business hours. More information is available here.
We keep hearing that when a project at LPKC receives property tax abatement the City is required to use any PILOTs (i.e. funds received) to pay for infrastructure at LPKC. Is this true?
No. When the City issues an industrial revenue bond with property tax abatement for a project, the developer must make annual payments-in-lieu-of-tax (PILOT). These PILOTs are distributed to all taxing jurisdictions in the same proportion as regular property taxes, including to the City of Edgerton. The City of Edgerton annual PILOT payment goes into the general fund just like regular property taxes for the Edgerton City Council to allocate during the annual budget process.
Since the opening of LPKC, these PILOT payments have been used to increase services to the residential community such as increasing the city’s street and park maintenance; adding new recreation programming (like princess tea party and art classes); and adding new community events like Summer Movie Nights and Summer Kickoff Block Party, which is happening in Downtown Edgerton this weekend.
What's going on in the downtown greenspace?
A new community gathering space, called The Greenspace, is still in the works. In 2019, the City tore down two buildings surrounding the downtown greenspace: a vacant home and the former “cop shop” near the library. After taking public feedback from the public about what design options they would most like to see, the City has hired a design firm to create plans for the new building.
Updates on The Greenspace can be found on the Construction Projects page of this website.
I want to put in a backyard pool. What are the requirements?
The City of Edgerton does require a permit to install a new pool. There are certain rules you will need to follow, including distance from property lines and fencing. Check out edgertonks.org/pools for full details.
Is City Hall moving to the intermodal?
No. City Hall is not moving anywhere. City Hall has been in the Grange Hall building since the 1960s. The City of Edgerton has never considered moving City Hall away from downtown Edgerton.
