The Liberal City Commission met Tuesday evening and voted to combine Economic Development with the Seward County Development Corporation. The City Economic Development Department will be no longer effective June 19th. For the remainder of the year the City will contribute $100,000 to the Corporation, with next year’s contribution being $150,000 and $50,000 in benefits.

The new Citizenship Class was presented to the Commission, and discussion was also held on a Central Business district in Downtown Liberal with interested parties looking at locating in the area.

The Commission approved the donation of a Subsonex JSX-2 micro jet to the Mid-America Air Museum. This is one of the smallest flyable jet aircraft in the world with a wingspan of just 11 feet. The aircraft was appraised at a value of $158,000 and the donor is Mr. Kenneth R. Hollrah from Enid, OK.

Commissioners approved the purchase of a 2 post lift and 4 post lift for the new Street/Fleet Department building, for $16,878.94 from Myers Brothers. The new lifts will help Fleet Maintenance to be more efficient and safe when working on vehicle repairs. The 2 post lift will replace the 30 years old lift that was used at the old building.

In an added agenda item, the Commission approved adding an Assistant City Manager position, with the duties of the position to be taken on by existing department heads.