Monday, July 6, 2026

Cheaper and easier than cars for short trips in neighborhoods, less traffic congestion, fun and eco-friendly for local use, and cities can tailor rules to their streets.

Several Kansas towns allow golf carts on public streets, but each has its own rules. Here are the key ones with active ordinances:Wichita — Allowed on streets 30 mph or less and, since July 2026, on sidewalks and multi-use paths too. You need to be 16 or older with a valid driver's license, carry liability insurance, and follow daytime rules unless properly lit.Olathe — Permitted on streets posted at 30 mph or below. Requires a valid driver's license, liability insurance, and proper lighting plus a slow-moving vehicle emblem for nighttime use.Lenexa — Allowed only on roads 25 mph or less. Must have headlights, taillights, and brake lights; valid driver's license required. No sidewalks or trails.Shawnee — Similar to Lenexa — roads 25 mph or less, licensed driver, insurance, and lights for after dark.Spring Hill — Recently updated to allow on designated streets up to 30 mph. Drivers must be 16+ with a valid license and carry insurance. Stay to the right side of the road.Andover — Allowed on streets 30 mph or less. Daytime only unless equipped, needs mirrors, and must be registered with police.Smaller towns like Garnett, Derby, Liberal, and Sedgwick also have local permitting systems — usually a yearly fee of $10–$75, a decal, driver's license, and insurance proof.Rules keep evolving locally, especially around lighting and sidewalks. If you're targeting a specific town for this info project, tell me which one and I can narrow in deeper.

In Kansas, golf carts on public streets are controlled locally, not by the state. State law (K.S.A. 8-15,108, updated in 2009 and 2018) bans them from interstate, federal, or state highways and any street over 30 mph. They can only run on city streets if the city passes an ordinance allowing it — otherwise, they're illegal on public roads. Most cities that allow them require a valid driver's license (so age 16+), proof of liability insurance, and often a local permit or decal you register with the city each year — like Scott City charges $25 a year, Cherryvale $30. Operation is usually sunrise to sunset unless the cart has proper lights and a slow-moving vehicle emblem.Over time, it's been steady: cities decide case-by-case, some added rules around 2018-2021, and a few updated recently for night use or sidewalk operation. It's not a statewide system — it's patchwork, city by city.Pros: Cheaper and easier than cars for short trips in neighborhoods, less traffic congestion, fun and eco-friendly for local use, and cities can tailor rules to their streets.Cons: Safety risks on mixed traffic — they're open, slow, and less visible. Insurance and permitting add hassle and cost. Rules vary so much between towns that it's confusing, and enforcement can be spotty.


Here's the quick rundown on Kansas's top 10 cities for golf carts on public streets:
  • Wichita: Recently approved — allowed on streets 30 mph or less, plus sidewalks as of July 2026. Needs driver's license, insurance, proper lights, and slow-moving vehicle emblem.
  • Overland Park: Not allowed on public streets.
  • Kansas City, KS: Not allowed — follows strict state limits with no local ordinance permitting them.
  • Olathe: Allowed on streets 30 mph or less, daytime only unless equipped with lights and slow-moving emblem. Requires valid driver's license and liability insurance.
  • Topeka: Not allowed.
  • Lawrence: Follows the standard state prohibition — no local allowance.
  • Shawnee: Allowed on roads 25 mph or less since around 2021. Licensed driver, insurance, and lights for night use required.
  • Lenexa: Allowed on roads 25 mph or less. Needs headlights, taillights, brake lights, and a valid driver's license.
  • Manhattan: Not allowed.
  • Salina: Not allowed.
It's still very much a patchwork — some cities have embraced them for neighborhood use, others stick to the conservative side for safety reasons. The common requirements where allowed are a driver's license, insurance, daytime operation or lights, and staying off high-speed roads.Want me to dig into one city in more detail or check a smaller town?



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Fw: New Online tool to visualize your dream Court in 30 seconds.


From: Austin Schroeder <team@buildmycourts.com>
Sent: Sunday, July 5, 2026 7:39 PM
To: mcre13@gmail.com <mcre13@gmail.com>
Subject: New Online tool to visualize your dream Court in 30 seconds.
 
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Sunday, July 5, 2026

The hands = This information comes directly from the official Shawnee County document “2026 LIST OF TAXING AUTHORITIES” (PDF available from the Shawnee County Clerk’s office).

 2026 Shawnee County Taxing Authorities: Complete List of Officials and Contact Information

Shawnee County taxpayers deserve easy access to the people who oversee the entities that spend your tax dollars. The Shawnee County Clerk’s office has released the official 2026 LIST OF TAXING AUTHORITIES — a comprehensive directory of township officers, city leaders, county commissioners, special district contacts, fire chiefs, and school district administrators.

This document lists the key decision-makers for the many local bodies that levy or receive property taxes in our county. Whether you want to attend a township meeting, contact your fire district, reach a school superintendent, or follow up on drainage issues, this is the go-to reference.

Below is the full compiled information from the official 2026 list (with minor formatting for readability). Always verify current details directly with the county or the individual, as contact information can change.

Townships – Trustee, Treasurer & Clerk

Auburn Township

  • Trustee: Sandy Mitchell, 13134 SW 101st St, Harveyville, KS 66431, slm757@yahoo.com, 785-249-5254 (C), 785-256-6172 (H)
  • Treasurer: Barry Brown, 7321 SW Hodges Rd, Auburn, KS 66402, brown2562493@yahoo.com, 785-633-1418
  • Clerk: Richard Cole, 8937 SW 91st St, Auburn, KS 66402, rcole8937@sbcglobal.net, (h) 785-256-2112, (c) 785-230-4816

Dover Township (includes unincorporated community of Dover)

Grove Township

  • Trustee: Dennis E Lowry, 10204 NW 54th St, Silver Lake, KS 66539, 785-608-9369
  • Treasurer: Jeff Shenk, 11139 NW 70th St, Silver Lake, KS 66539, dukeofgrove@gmail.com, (H) 785-582-4398, (c) 785-608-1360
  • Clerk: Jack K Steele, 7225 NW Humphrey Rd, Silver Lake, KS 66539, steelewildcats@yahoo.com, 785-582-4444

Menoken Township (includes unincorporated community of Kiro)

Mission Township

Monmouth Township (includes unincorporated communities of Berryton and Watson)

Rossville Township

Silver Lake Township

Soldier Township (includes unincorporated community of Elmont)

Tecumseh Township (includes unincorporated community of Tecumseh)

Topeka Township (includes unincorporated community of Pauline)

  • Trustee: Chad Baldwin, 2015 SE 55th St, Topeka, KS 66609, cbaldwin4@cox.net, 785-221-0631
  • Treasurer: Gary Jellison, 2110 SE 55th St, Topeka, KS 66609, jellisonra@yahoo.com, 785-224-3017
  • Clerk: John R Failor, 2005 SE 53rd St, Topeka, KS 66609, jcfailor@cox.net, 785-213-5199

Williamsport Township (includes unincorporated community of Wakarusa)

  • Trustee: Jay Marple, 5524 SW 85th St, Wakarusa, KS 66546, 785-213-0901
  • Treasurer: Kelby Robinson, 9536 SW Burlingame Rd, Wakarusa, KS 66546, kelby.robinson@outlook.com, 785-207-8502
  • Clerk: Richard Bangrover, PO BOX 118, 1949 SW 99th St, Wakarusa, KS 66546, 785-224-0799

Shawnee County Commission

Cities – Clerks & Mayors

Auburn City

  • City Clerk: Darby Magwire, 161 W 9th, PO Box 160, Auburn, KS 66402, cityclerk@auburnks.com, 785-256-2426
  • Mayor: Mark Brown, PO BOX 160, Auburn, KS 66402

Rossville City

  • City Clerk: Lisa Stum, 438 Main St, PO Box 337, Rossville, KS 66533, rossvilleclerk@rossvillekansas.org, 785-584-6155
  • Mayor: James Meyer, 438 N Main St, Rossville, KS 66533, 785-584-6749

Silver Lake City

  • City Clerk: Marie Beam, 218 W Railroad, PO Box 92, Silver Lake, KS 66539, city@SilverLakeKs.gov, 785-582-4280
  • Mayor: Jonah Bishop, 218 W. Railroad, PO Box 92, Silver Lake, KS 66539, 785-582-4280

Topeka City

  • City Clerk: Brenda Younger, 215 E. 7th Room 166, Topeka, KS 66603, byounger@topeka.org, 785-368-3940
  • City Finance: Josh McAnarney (Budget Mgr), jmcanarney@topeka.org, 785-368-3035; Leigha Boling, Lboling@topeka.org
  • Mayor / City Hall: Spencer Duncan, 215 SE 7th Room 350, Topeka, KS 66603, 785-368-3895

Willard City

  • City Clerk: Barbara Cummings, 109 NE 2nd, Topeka, KS 66615, willardkscityclerk@gmail.com, 785-640-3359 / 785-256-4905
  • Mayor: Bud Lees, 127 Holden, Topeka, KS 66615, 785-584-6879

Miscellaneous Taxing / Supported Entities

Drainage Districts

Kaw Drain

  • Jessica Horton, 2330 NW 35th St, Topeka, KS 66618, jessejo12@yahoo.com, 785-845-9423 (c) 785-554-5653
  • Andrew K Lewis (Pres), 1247 NW Humphrey Rd, Topeka, KS 66618, nlewis517@yahoo.com, 785-250-7653
  • Michael McCall (Treasurer), 8640 NW 13th St, Topeka, KS 66618, 785-319-9793

North Topeka Drain

  • Ronald E Meier (Director), 2123 NW 48th St, Topeka, KS 66618, r.meier@att.net
  • Matt Deutsch CPA, 785-232-8078 / 785-234-2244 x 15 (w)
  • Merrill Befort (Attorney), 785-251-1006
  • David Jackson, 2815 NE Rockaway Trail, Topeka, KS 66617
  • Kenneth Guilfoyle, 3432 NW Lwr Silver Lake Rd, Topeka, KS 66618

Rossville Drain

  • Mike Mitchell, 103 E Lake St, Silver Lake, KS 66539, 785-221-0090
  • Dennis R Keller, 11821 NW Hwy 24, Rossville, KS 66533, aeekeller7881@gmail.com, 785-845-6411 (c) 785-584-6412 (text)
  • James L Gentry, PO BOX 265, Rossville, KS 66533, fivegentrys@gmail.com, 785-584-9542 (C)

Shunganunga Drain

Silver Lake Drain

  • Alan S Thomas (Chairman), 3422 NW Thomas Rd, Silver Lake, KS 66539, 785-582-4770
  • Michael R Deiter (Director), 4327 NW Hoch Rd, Silver Lake, KS 66539, 785-640-5911
  • John C Clark (Treasurer), 4144 NW Valencia Rd, Rossville, KS 66539, 785-582-2879
  • CPA Debra Mikoleit, dmikoleit@mikoleit-assoc.com

Tri County Drain

  • John Watt (Attorney), PO Box 56, Wamego, KS 66547, jwattlaw@gmail.com, 785-456-2231
  • Howard Parr (Chairman), PO BOX 416, Rossville, KS 66533
  • David Stadler (Sec/Treasurer), 605 Kross Cir, Rossville, KS 66533

Watersheds

Fire Districts

  • Fire Dist #1: Joe Hawkins (Chief), PO BOX 87, Silver Lake, KS 66539, jhawkins@silverlakefire.com, 785-582-4667
  • Fire Dist #2: Scott Hunt (Chief), 110 E 10th St, Auburn, KS 66402, fire518@cox.net, 785-256-2526
  • Fire Dist #3: Travis Thompson (Chief), PO BOX 756, Rossville, KS 66533, tlthompson341@gmail.com, 785-584-6349; Dan Glotzbach, 13349 NW Hwy 24, Rossville, KS 66533, dan.glotzbach@ks.gov, 785-640-5738
  • Fire Dist #4: Nathan Rewerts (Chief), 315 SW Valencia Rd, Topeka, KS 66615, nrewerts@shawneefire4.org, 785-256-3667; Lou Allen (Treasurer), 1345 NW Valencia Rd, Topeka, KS 66615, loudfg@aol.com, 785-233-4571
  • Shawnee Heights: Kevin Flory (Chief), 2626 SE Shawnee Heights Rd, Tecumseh, KS 66542, kflory@shfd.us, 785-379-0566 x 201
  • Mission Twp Fire: Jason Schone, 3101 SW Urish Rd, Topeka, KS 66614, jschone@missionfire.com, 785-477-4063 (office) / 785-806-3913 (cell)
  • Soldier Twp Fire: Chad Lady (Acting Chief), 600 NW 46th St, Topeka, KS 66617, 785-246-1752

Sherwood Improvement District

Schools (USDs)

USD 321 Kaw Valley

USD 330 Mission Valley

USD 340 Jeff West

USD 372 Silver Lake

USD 434 Santa Fe Trail

USD 345 Seaman

USD 450 Shawnee Heights

  • Superintendent: Sheila Meggers; Financial Director: Sara Darting, 4401 SE Shawnee Heights Rd, Tecumseh, KS 66542, hoyers@usd450.net, 785-379-5800

USD 437 Auburn-Washburn

  • Superintendent: Scott McWilliams; Financial Officer: Brett Bauer, 5928 SW 53rd, Topeka, KS 66610, BauerBre@usd437.net, 785-339-4000

USD 501 Topeka

  • Superintendent: Dr. Tiffany Anderson; General Dir Fiscal Serv: Matt Busey, 624 SW 24th, Topeka, KS 66611, mbusey@tps501.org, 785-295-3071

Source & Notes This information comes directly from the official Shawnee County document “2026 LIST OF TAXING AUTHORITIES” (PDF available from the Shawnee County Clerk’s office).

For the most accurate and up-to-date contacts, visit the Shawnee County website (snco.gov), contact the Clerk’s office, or reach out to the individuals or entities directly. Many of these positions are part-time or volunteer, and meetings are often open to the public.

Why this matters: These are the people and organizations that help decide how property tax dollars are collected and spent in Shawnee County. Knowing who they are is the first step to staying informed and involved.

If you’d like me to format this as a downloadable PDF, Word document, or add any additional analysis (e.g., which entities appear on sample tax bills), just let me know!

Posted in the interest of local government transparency and taxpayer awareness.

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