Mayor Sayers' 2026 State of the City address
Published on February 17, 2026
Below is the text of Mayor Julie Sayers’ prepared remarks for the State of the City address on Feb. 17, 2026.
Thank you, Susan, and thank you to the Chamber and sponsors who make this event possible.
Today we have business leaders, community partners, residents, volunteers and staff in the room — and Lenexa is better because of you. Thank you for being here and for all that you do in service to our community.
Every map tells a story — where we’ve been, where we are and where we’re headed. Today, I want to walk you through Lenexa’s map: the roads we’ve built, the paths we’ve paved and the destinations we’re reaching together. Over the past year, we’ve made intentional choices about how we grow, in what we invest and how we connect our community. Those choices are shaping Lenexa’s future in powerful ways.
No map works without people who know how to read it and work together. That starts with our City Council, leadership team and the dedicated staff who work to better Lenexa every day.
Lenexa’s City Council leads with purpose, using shared values to inform decisions that benefit our entire community. I'd ask each council member to please stand to be recognized and would ask that you hold your applause until the end. Mark Charlton, Craig Denny, Courtney Eiterich, John Michael Handley, Chris Herron, Bill Nicks, Chelsea Williamson — and our newest council member, Avery Bell, who joined our team in December. Thank you for your unwavering dedication to Lenexa and the people who call it home.
While our City Council helps chart the course, it’s our city staff who do the daily work that keeps Lenexa moving forward — turning those plans into progress. City Manager Beccy Yocham and our management team provide the leadership and professional guidance that keeps the organization on track, setting the tone through collaboration, accountability and excellence.
Behind every road project, park improvement and emergency response is a dedicated group of employees. They don’t just work for Lenexa — they believe in it. Will all City staff who are here today please stand? Please join me in thanking these employees and their colleagues for outstanding work.
With the retirement of Police Chief Dawn Layman in December, it was essential to select a leader who could build upon her legacy while continuing to prioritize public safety and strengthening the department’s connection with the community. I’m proud to introduce our new Chief of Police, Eric Schmitz — a 27-year veteran of the Lenexa Police Department. With extensive experience, strong values and a commitment to community trust, Chief Schmitz is well positioned to lead the department into its next chapter and has named professional development of our team as one of his top priorities. Congratulations on your new role Chief Schmitz and thank you for stepping up in continued service to Lenexa.
Strong leadership sets the direction — and stable, voter-approved funding gives us an important tool to stay on track. One of the most impactful moments of 2025 was the successful renewal of Lenexa’s 3/8th-cent sales tax. The ballot question was approved by nearly 80 percent of voters: a clear sign of confidence in how this city invests in long-term plans and delivers results. Over the next 20 years, this sales tax is expected to generate around $260 million for Lenexa, with about 40 percent of that funding coming from visitors to our community. It allows investment in the priorities residents have told us matter most to them — well-maintained streets and trails, high-quality parks and amenities, and high quality infrastructure. This ongoing resource gives us the confidence and stability to continue to make strategic investments in our future.
That same sense of certainty is reflected in the level of private investment we continue to see throughout our city. Last year, investment in Lenexa totaled nearly $400 million. Businesses choose Lenexa because they know what to expect — thoughtful leadership, strong partnerships and a community built for growth. A clear example of that investment can be seen at one of the most visible destinations in Lenexa — right here in City Center, where development continues to grow.
Last year marked a major milestone with the opening of our community’s first full-service hospital, AdventHealth Lenexa City Center. Their campus continues to grow with new medical buildings and mixed-use spaces in the works, including future restaurants and office space.
Adding to the excitement at City Center is construction of a dual-hotel project — a Residence Inn by Marriott and AC Hotel — that will welcome guests later this year. The development includes mixed-use space at street level along with dedicated public parking, that will help support activity in the district.
Last spring, we celebrated new openings at Restaurant Row, adding new and diverse dining options to the heart of our downtown. The response to these has been phenomenal — I constantly receive compliments from residents and visitors alike that they love all of the new restaurant destinations we’ve created.
City Center also continues to evolve as both a destination and a neighborhood. The City Council recently approved plans for a bold new mixed-use development called The Rise which is planned for the southeast corner of 87th and Renner. This 11-story project will feature apartments for active adults aged 55 and older, office space and a rooftop restaurant and bar.
We’re also enhancing 87th Street Parkway between Scarborough and Renner to create a more welcoming entrance to City Center. This project will include a new trail, seating and enhanced transit accommodations to support how people move through and enjoy the area.
We’ve also invested in a pilot program for a transit route to the airport, which will temporarily bring visitors to Lenexa for World Cup activities, but will more importantly test if those types of transit routes will be useful for longer term in Johnson County.
Our next stop on the map is the historic heart of our city — Old Town Lenexa. Through facility improvements, enhanced spaces and new public art, we’re strengthening this vital area for generations to come.
Last summer, we entered a new chapter in Old Town — one rooted in connection, history and community. A $12 million investment transformed two aging buildings into the Old Town Activity Center, a welcoming, modern space where people of all ages can gather, learn and belong.
Today, the Old Town Activity Center is alive with energy. Active agers build friendships and stay engaged in the new Haskins Wing. Children discover new interests through camps and programs. Neighbors connect over pickleball and shuffleboard outside, turning recreation into relationships. And families come together for classes, celebrations and everyday moments that turn into lasting memories. It’s a place designed not just for programs, but for people — and for the connections that make a community feel like home.
That sense of pride is reflected in the City’s first publicly commissioned mural which wraps the exterior of Old Town Activity Center. "Meet Me in Lenexa" by local artist Evan Brown, known as Doodle Dood, is a colorful reminder of where we’ve been, who we are and where we’re going together. It follows a single winding road that takes you through a visual timeline of Lenexa: from untouched prairie, to the City’s early railroad days, all the way to its modern downtown era.
We also invested in Santa Fe Trail Drive, upgrading curbs, lighting, stormwater infrastructure and trails, and adding bike lanes to make the area safer and better connected through the heart of Old Town Lenexa. Projects like this may seem small by comparison but are a meaningful marker on our road to implementing the vision outlined by our community in Vision 2040.
Even the best map needs adjustments from time to time to steer what comes next. Last year, the City Council adopted targeted updates to Lenexa’s Comprehensive Plan to ensure it keeps pace with how our community is growing and evolving. I commend our Community Development Department for their steady, thoughtful work — including their leadership on this important update.
A notable example is that through a creative partnership with a private developer, Lenexa approved a land exchange that adds about 12 acres of future parkland. This strategic decision realigns the shape of this park to align with the topography of the area and strengthens park and trail design opportunities as the nearby Sunset Canyon neighborhood moves forward.
A thriving city doesn’t just plan for future growth — it invests in the homes and neighborhoods that retain Lenexa’s value. We saw continued demand for our annual Exterior Grant Program, which revitalizes existing neighborhoods and assists homeowners in making needed repairs. Last year, a City investment of $92,000 sparked a total investment of almost $220,000 in neighborhood improvements through this program.
We also expanded our Property Tax Rebate Program to provide meaningful relief to more Lenexa homeowners. Based on a successful pilot, we broadened eligibility so more seniors and disabled veterans could qualify for help with a refund of the City’s portion of their property taxes. As a result, more than $81,000 went back to 108 households.
Just as we invest in homes, we also invest in the connections between them. Lenexa residents consistently tell us that quality roads and trails matter the most to them. We listen to that feedback and we’re responding with significant investments to improve and expand connectivity across the city.
Our Municipal Services team maintains more than 800 lane miles of streets and right-of-way across Lenexa, including sidewalks, trails and curbs. Our Pavement Management Program focuses on keeping streets performing well through proactive maintenance. Last year, crews completed nearly 60 lane miles of road improvements, resurfaced three public parking lots, and added 72 ADA ramps — helping keep Lenexa’s transportation system safe, reliable and accessible. Our Pavement Reconstruction Program addresses streets that have reached the end of their useful life. And in 2025, we completed a full rebuild of the Green Prairie subdivision near Santa Fe Trail Drive and 95th Street.
We’re also investing in walkability. Through our Sidewalk and Trail Repair Program, we maintain more than 230 miles of sidewalks and fix deteriorated sections and missing connections. Last year, that meant replacing over 2,200 linear feet of sidewalk and finishing a key gap along Lackman Road.
Keeping roads clear during the winter is critical — and last winter was no small test. But our crews rose to the challenge, responding to seven storms by treating roads and clearing more than 23 inches of snow. Through strong planning, reliable equipment and hours of dedicated service, our crews helped ensure residents could travel safely during winter weather.
We recently replaced an aging salt storage facility at Freedom Fields and added a second fueling station in the same area. These upgrades give our crews better access to resources and make their work more efficient.
The Stormwater Division also plays a vital role in protecting our neighborhoods, streets and natural resources. This team maintains the City’s stormwater system: pipes, storm structures, creeks, streams and other green infrastructure — helping manage runoff, reduce flooding and protect water quality. And while much of this work happens out of public view, it has a big impact on our quality of life in Lenexa.
At this point in the journey through Lenexa, I want to pause and recognize the people who make all of this possible — the ones doing the work every day to keep us moving forward. This video captures why our employees choose to work for Lenexa — and why that matters to our community.
The people you just met are more than employees — they are public servants, problem-solvers, and community-builders who care deeply about Lenexa. They show up on the hard days, and go the extra mile to take the vision we set and turn it into real improvements that touch people’s lives. Their work is what we mean when we say “I Like Lenexa.”
A good map doesn’t just get you from point A to point B — it leads you to places worth stopping along the way. And we have a lot of interesting destinations to explore in Lenexa.
If you ever need a reminder of why Lenexa is special, step into a Farmers Market morning, Friday Night Sound Bites or a Tuesday night at the Rec Center — the energy speaks for itself.
The Lenexa Farmers Market is a vibrant community gathering place, drawing nearly 50,000 visitors throughout the season. The market featured a strong mix of local partners, including more than 50 vendors, dozens of artists, musicians, sponsors and educational groups. Popular activities like native plant sales, family-focused events and food demonstrations add to the experience. New picnic tables in the commons area created even more space for people to gather, linger and enjoy everything the market has to offer.
Last year we added lighting at Rolling Magic Skate Park so riders can enjoy longer hours and better visibility from early morning to late evening. This community-driven improvement makes our beloved skate park safer and more accessible.
We host a robust calendar of events — from festivals and concerts to family nights and cultural celebrations — with an increased emphasis on history-focused programming. These gatherings bring people together in every season, strengthening community connections throughout the year. They make Lenexa not just a place to live, but a place to belong.
To make Parks & Recreation amenities and programs more accessible, we launched a new mobile app that puts programs, facilities and events in the palm of your hand. The app makes it easier to stay connected and make the most of everything Lenexa has to offer. If you haven’t downloaded it yet, please do so today.
The Lenexa Rec Center is experiencing record usage, with 12,000 active members. We continue to invest in this important community asset through new equipment and facility upgrades.
With the guidance of our Arts Council, we’ve solidified our commitment to public art by approving a strategic priority list for future installations across the city. This plan ensures art is placed thoughtfully, starting with high-impact locations like Ad Astra Park and the Justice Center. The plan reinforces the meaningful role public art plays in community pride and placemaking. This spring, we will welcome a new sculpture by artist Nathan Pierce titled “Splish” at the newly renovated Ad Astra Pool. This playful piece of public art will add character and energy to the space, creating another memorable feature for families to enjoy as they make summer memories in Lenexa.
With the addition of three new merchants, the Lenexa Public Market continues to grow as a vibrant culinary hub focused on culture and community. Homestead Kitchen and Bakery, KC Döner and Saap Saap Noodles each offer distinctive flavors and fresh, made-from-scratch food that you won’t find just anywhere. Beyond great meals, the Public Market serves as an incubator for small businesses — giving entrepreneurs the space, support and customer base they need to grow and thrive. Family-friendly events bring people together and make the Public Market one of Lenexa’s favorite gathering spaces.
And speaking of memorable moments — last November we had a very special guest roll into Lenexa when the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree made a stop in on its way from Nevada to Washington, D.C. Hosted by 84 Lumber, the day was a fantastic celebration of community and holiday spirit. But for me personally… the highlight was meeting Smokey the Bear. As some of you know, I’m a big Smokey fan — and have always loved his message about how each of us individually has the power to protect our communities. Today we can also let you in on a little secret: the U.S. Forest Service asked for help from the Lenexa Fire Department for the event. Inside the Smokey costume was one of our newest firefighters, Bennett, who we’ve asked to be here today and to please stand to be recognized. Thank you Bennett for being such a good sport at this event, for allowing me a ridiculous number of selfies, and for your service to the Lenexa Fire Department.
With so much happening across the city, the question becomes: how do we know we’re on the right track?
One of the clearest measures of our progress comes directly from our residents. In the 2025 citizen survey conducted by ETC Institute, Lenexa again rated above both regional and national averages for satisfaction with City services. You’ll find highlights from the survey at your table — including some impressive numbers. Ninety-four percent of respondents rate the overall quality of life in Lenexa highly, and ninety-seven percent say Lenexa is a great place to live. Those results tell us our residents feel confident in the direction that we’re heading. The feedback helps guide our priorities and pushes us to keep raising the bar for the community we serve. If you’re curious to dig deeper into the data, you can find the full report on Lenexa.com.
As we look ahead, the map before us points to another exciting year in Lenexa.
Our 2026 budget keeps Lenexa on a steady, reliable route — lowering the mill levy for the eighth consecutive year while maintaining our Triple-A bond rating. The budget reflects our community’s priorities, supporting high-quality services while maintaining strong end balances and protecting our long-term financial health. This budget isn’t just numbers on a page — it’s a reflection of our values and our shared vision for a strong, well-managed and forward-looking Lenexa.
We’re investing in public safety in a way that looks far beyond today. Plans are underway for Fire Station 6 at the former City Hall site at 87th Street and Monrovia. While a temporary fire station has served the area in recent years, this permanent facility will better meet the needs of northeast Lenexa. The investment in Fire Station 6 means faster response times, improved outcomes in emergencies and a modern space that supports the firefighters who care for our community every day. The building will also serve as Fire Department Headquarters and house the City’s Information Technology Department. Later this year, we will share designs of Fire Station 6, and you’ll begin to see work underway on a facility that will serve Lenexa for generations to come.
Over Memorial Day weekend, the newly rebuilt Ad Astra Pool will reopen as a modern, community-designed facility — a place where families can make memories and enjoy the summer season in Lenexa. The broader project also includes renovation of the park shelter, and the addition of year-round restrooms at Ad Astra Park. We are also creating a new access road to help with summer traffic and support year-round student drop-off and pickup at nearby Christa McAuliffe Elementary School.
We are transforming Central Green Park with a new hillside playground and fitness park designed for tweens, teens and adults. New features will include slides and climbing structures, outdoor fitness equipment, and a Ninja Warrior–style course — the first of its kind in the Kansas City region. There will be truly something for all ages here to be invited to play and remain active. Developed through community input in the Parks & Recreation Master Plan, the project will also strengthen trail connections and add restrooms, shade and seating. Construction will begin later this summer, with the new amenities opening in 2027.
As Kansas City prepares to host the 2026 World Cup this summer, Lenexa staff are hard at work behind the scenes. Teams across the organization are coordinating with regional partners, reviewing operations, and planning ahead so we can welcome visitors, support businesses, and keep services running smoothly. It’s a powerful example of the collaboration our region is known for — and our willingness to embrace the opportunities and responsibilities of a global event. I hope you’ll join us as Pitch Lenexa hosts watch parties in City Center and we welcome a worldwide audience to our community.
After a year of progress, partnership and planning, it’s natural to look up from the map and ask: Where do we go next?
In Lenexa, the answer has never been clearer. We’re moving forward with intention — guided by vision and driven by community. The roads we’ve rebuilt, the paths we’ve connected, the neighborhoods we’ve strengthened and the places we’ve created all point in the same direction: toward a city that plans carefully, listens closely and delivers thoughtfully.
This map isn’t drawn by one person or one plan. It’s shaped by residents who show up, staff who care deeply about their work, elected leaders who make intentional decisions and partners who believe in Lenexa’s future. Together, we’ve built a city that knows where it’s been — and isn’t afraid to chart the path for what comes next. The road ahead will bring new opportunities, new challenges and new destinations. And just like we always have, we’ll navigate them together — with purpose, trust and a shared commitment to making Lenexa an even better place to live, work and belong.
Cities aren’t just places on a map — they are collections of people who choose to care about each other. And that’s what makes Lenexa special. Thank you for showing up and for believing in this community. It's truly my pleasure to serve our city: thank you for another great year, and so much to look forward to ahead of us.