WSU City/County Management Summit

8:30 a.m.

8:45-9:30 a.m.

General Session

Emerging Issues in Housing Policy & Funding

Hear how legislative decisions are affecting housing programs. Learn about new initiatives around the state and model programs in other states that Kansas communities should consider. Discover what cities and counties need to know as they seek to address housing gaps and complex housing issues.

Ryan Vincent, Executive Director, Kansas Housing Resources Corporation

Erin Beckerman, General Counsel, Kansas Housing Resources Corporation

9:45 – 10:30 a.m. 

Breakout Session 1A

Counties and Cities: Can’t We All Just Get Along?

Let’s explore the mysteries of county government by learning about some distinguishing features of counties compared to cities. Will and Randy will share their best advice for building relationships between cities and their counties using examples of partnerships that advance the overall community. In the spirit of true learning, we may also hear about some failed experiments and lessons learned.

9:45 – 10:30 a.m.

Breakout Session 1B

Responsible Use of A.I. in Local Government

Thoughtful and methodical are not words often associated with A.I. these days. Assuming many of you have experimented with A.I., come to this session to focus on ethical and responsible guardrails for exploring and using A.I. tools in your work.

9:45 – 10:30 a.m.

Breakout Session 1C

Secrets to Resilient Infrastructure

From financial management and infrastructure optimization to program analysis and personnel management, Ben will describe how asset management can make infrastructure systems more resilient, protect levels of service, and reduce long-term costs. Ben will use real-life examples that you can relate directly to your municipal utilities and public works portfolios.

10:30-Noon

Breakout Session 2A

Mobile Workshop #2: See How Attainable Homes Are Built

Drive or carpool to 9451 E. 40th Street North (SW corner of Webb Road & 40th) for this tour of the new factory making modular homes. These homes will be installed in communities across Kansas at more attainable prices than site-built homes. You’ll see several models, hear about the quality measures being taken to ensure these homes are built to last, and discover what it will take for these homes and ADUs (accessory dwelling units) to become a solution to some of your housing needs. Space is limited. Advance registration is required: email kathy.sexton@wichita.edu to reserve your spot.

10:45 – 11:30 a.m.

Breakout Session 2B

Doing More with Less in Policing

Whether your community has less money to allocate to law enforcement or has difficulty retaining officers, this session is for you. Hear about how Derby Police adjusted the ways they use technology, updated the departmental culture to adapt to millennial norms, and are expanding partnerships to address these challenging times head on.

10:45 – 11:30 a.m.

Breakout Session 2C

You’ve Been Sued. Now What?

Tara Eberline has represented municipalities in a broad range of litigation, from civil rights to employment. She will review the legal protections and risks municipalities often face, what role insurance coverage plays in litigation, managing elected and community expectations during litigation, and balancing the judicial system with the “court of public opinion.

10:45 – 11:30 a.m.

Breakout Session 2D

Infill Housing Challenges, Tools, & Lessons Learned

Infill efforts often are a critical component of your community’s housing goals. Preserving older housing stock, adding ADUs (accessory dwelling units), and replacing demolished structures are some of the most meaningful strategies yet also REALLY challenging. Lauren will share her experience with engaging partners, stacking incentives, and other tools. She will discuss ways to appeal to first-time buyers as well as make properties senior ready.

11:45 – 1:00

Lunch

Ask Us Anything!

Panelists will enlighten us with responses to questions they frequently hear from city managers and will take your questions on the fly. Fishing for a little free advice? That’s okay. Trying to get a second opinion on a technical question? Bring it on. Let’s have some fun with this!

Peter Hinkle, Midwest Sales Team Leader, Schneider Electric

Randy Gorton, P.E. PTOE, VP & Municipal Services Lead at BHC, a Pape-Dawson company

Jordan Buxton, Hutton design + build  

1:00 – 2:00 p.m.

Breakout Session 3A

Keys to Transitions

Hear about lessons learned when Matt transitioned between cities and then made the jump to a county. Hear Phil relay how to help recruit candidates and make the opportunity appear too good NOT to apply. Discover ways to position the next manager for success and how a professional manager can help elected officials and staff manage transitional changes effectively.

Matt Stiles, County Administrator, Saline County

Phil Smith-Hanes, County Administrator (retired March 2026), Saline County

1:00 – 2:00 p.m.

Breakout Session 3B

Stretching Every Dollar: How a County Grant Program Works for Every Community

Kansas communities face a growing infrastructure gap—aging water systems, deteriorating streets, and outdated emergency equipment—with limited budgets to pay for these increasingly expensive projects. In this session, we'll explore how a cost-shared County Grant Program gives every participating city (and the county) access to professional project development and grant writing to pursue outside funding. The program delivers individual funding strategies for each community while also identifying regional opportunities to pursue state and federal dollars for critical infrastructure improvements. We'll discuss how a coordinated, county-wide approach opens doors to funding that individual cities otherwise would struggle to compete for independently.

Christy Crews, Grant Consultant, Hometown Grants

1:00 – 2:00 p.m.

Breakout Session 3C

What are You Watching, Reading, or Listening To?

We’re resurrecting this tradition of sharing with colleagues the book titles, podcasts, and movies that you’ve been consuming and have found to be meaningful in terms of professional growth or personal enrichment. If a song or novel resulted in you laughing on the way home from work, made you think differently about how to solve a gnarly problem, or helped your family through a difficult time, share it with the group!

Jenni McCausland, City Administrator, City of Andover