Company Profile
City of Garden City
Company Overview
The Community
Garden City, Kansas, is located near the center of the world’s largest winter wheat production area, 75 miles east of the Colorado State line and 200 miles west of Wichita, Kansas. The City encompasses 9.53 square miles of land in Finney County. With a current population of 30,761, the City continues to grow and prosper. The community is strengthened by a regional medical center, airport, and a strong retail trade area.
The opportunity to learn and the art of learning are central philosophies for our educational system. Private and public schools include 16 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, 2 fifth and sixth grade centers, a high school, and a community college that offers diverse learning opportunities to all ages and interest levels. The community passed a $97.5 million bond issue, and opened a new state-of-the-art high school in August 2012.
Agribusiness has long been the base of our economy and supports a multitude of related industries that have a worldwide impact. Because of the tremendous volume and wealth of agribusiness, manufacturers and marketers locate to the Garden City area to better serve this broad consumer base. Industries in and around Garden City offer products and support services such as water well technology, systematic irrigation, box fabrication, metal casting and fabrication, extrusion of plastics and many more. The Garden City area is also rich in natural resources and welcomes both traditional and renewable energy production. Economic diversity is key, and a high quality of life abounds in Garden City as we serve the extended region with retail, services, education, and healthcare.
St. Catherine Hospital is the regional health center for the Southwest Kansas region. This hospital, complete with the latest in medical technology and equipment, has 24-hour emergency services, a Level II Newborn Intensive Care Unit, a Cardiac Rehabilitation Unit, a Cancer Treatment Center, a Multi-Specialty clinic, and an Ambulatory Surgical Center, along with Telemedicine facilities. It serves as headquarters for more than 50 physicians and 600 employees.
Garden City offers three golf courses, including Buffalo Dunes —ranked as one of the top 100 courses in the U.S. by Golf Digest—and Southwind, an 18-hole private golf course. The community also enjoys AZA-accredited Lee Richardson Zoo, the world’s largest municipal swimming pool, several beautiful parks located throughout the city, and a number of special public events held throughout the year.
Government
The City of Garden City was incorporated in 1883 and became a city of the first class in 1974. The City has operated under a Commission-Manager form of government since 1953. Five Commissioners are elected in odd-numbered years, with the two top vote getters receiving 4 year terms and the third top vote getter receiving a two year term. The Mayor is elected to a one-year term by the Commissioners.
The City Manager is appointed by the City Commission and is charged with the efficient and effective administration of the City. The City has had three City Managers since 1953.
Benefits
Compensation
The City of Garden City offers a competitive benefits package. Salary DOQ.
Health Insurance: The City provides a full family medical package that includes medical, prescription and dental insurance. All employees pay a share of insurance premiums (wellness rates) through payroll deduction. Presently that share varies based on the contribution tier (see benefit summary).
Grow Well Clinic and Wellness Program: Annual wellness benefits include a yearly health risk assessment, an individualized review of your assessment results with a registered nurse, access to the Grow Well Clinic, coaching for improved lifestyle management, lab rechecks, and onsite wellness training if applicable.
Retirement: The City participates in the Kansas Police and Fire Retirement Program (KP&F).
Deferred Compensation: In addition, the City offers deferred compensation programs to all employees on a voluntary basis for additional retirement savings.
Life Insurance: The City provides life insurance plans through Advance and KPERS. Additional coverage may be purchased through KPERS.
Holidays: 10 holidays are granted annually.
Leave: Vacation leave is accrued at the rate off 12 days per year for 0-5 years, 16 days per year for 6-10 years, 18 days per year for 11-15 years and 22 days per year for 16+ years. Personal leave of 2 days per year, with 3 personal days allotted after 5 years of service. Sick leave is also an available benefit.
Professional Development: The City Manager is committed to providing employees with exceptional training opportunities including regular attendance at State and National professional conferences within their relevant disciplines.
Other Programs: Flexible Spending , Educational Reimbursement, Employee Recognition Plan and Computer/Exercise Equipment Purchase are all offered as well.