The payment of soft costs associated with a new roundabout at K-18 and Karns Road on the west side of Junction City has been under discussion by city and school district officials. The project ties in with the new Junction City High School effort. A KDOT grant will pay for the roundabout itself, but soft costs such as engineering fees and possible land acquisition still have to be dealt with.

USD 475 submitted a proposal offering to pay 70% of the costs, or $140,000 and for the City to pay 30% or $60,000. There was opposition from Mayor Pat Landes toward providing that $60,000 in funding.

Now the Chief Operations Officer for USD 475, David WIld, has explained that there is a legal hard stop for the district on the $60,000. ” But we can certainly enhance other areas of the project to offset that $60,000. ” Wild stated Kaw Valley Engineering has been asked to produce a list of items that might be allowable on a legal basis. “to enhance the total project so that we can make up this difference, get to a win-win solution.”

The new proposal was reviewed by Wild this week on the JC Now show on 1420 KJCK AM / 107.9 FM.