Kansas National Guard disputes labeling of land in Salina as excess property

The Kansas National Guard lodged objections to state auditors labeling as surplus property about a dozen acres near the Salina Municipal Airport with an estimated market value of $250,000.

The two vacant lots were identified as excess for a joint committee of the Kansas Legislature during a survey of property held by nine state agencies. This report on surplus property was another piece of a puzzle being worked by state lawmakers who have sought for years to return buildings and land to the tax roll and passed a law ordering the Kansas Department of Administration to develop criteria for speeding identification of unneeded property — a mandate the agency hasn’t met.

Lt. Col. Ken Weishaar, who serves in the Kansas Army Guard, told legislators the state adjutant general’s department intended to retain the parcels for construction of a $750,000 physical fitness testing facility and, eventually, an $18 million training center with classroom, conference and office space. Both projects would make use of federal funding.