CITY OF DE SOTO NEWSLETTER

Beale Supplement Agreement

City Council approved a second supplemental agreement with Mt. Sunflower Properties (Beale) last night, reflecting changes in the Beale data center campus's water and wastewater needs and establishing additional community benefit contributions.

When the original agreement was approved, the data center was expected to need as much as 6 million gallons of water per day. Serving that level of demand would have required more than $237 million in water and wastewater improvements, funded by Beale. Beale has since changed to a closed-loop cooling system, reducing its expected peak water demand to 300,000 gallons per day. Because that significantly lower demand can be served without the originally planned system expansions, those improvements are no longer necessary.

Although those larger improvements are no longer needed to serve the data center, the City negotiated for Beale to fund approximately $9.4 million in water infrastructure that will benefit the broader community, including a new water line beneath the Kansas River and an additional City well.

The agreement also creates a Community Betterment Fund of up to $20 million for future projects such as utility infrastructure, downtown improvements, transportation systems, recreational facilities, and other quality-of-life improvements. The first $2 million will be provided when Phase 1 building permits are issued. Up to an additional $18 million is tied to specific Phase 2 development milestones.

Read the full agenda item and supplemental agreement or watch the Council discussion.

Community Rec Center Plan

Thanks to everyone who stopped by this week’s Community Recreation Center Open House! 

More than 100 people came out to take a first look at the draft master plan, ask questions, and share feedback.

A special thank you to Parks Board member Mary Jo Cline for generously donating the raffle prizes — and congratulations to Meredith, our very excited 55” Smart TV winner!

Missed the open house? You can still take a look at the draft plan here.

So, what’s next? The project team is reviewing feedback from the open house and will use it to refine the draft master plan before it heads to the City Council in November. If approved, the project can move into the design phase and the concepts you’ve seen will start getting more detailed.

Thanks again to everyone who came out and shared their thoughts!

Halloween at the 'Fest

Saturday, October 17th @ 4pm-6pm

Get ready for a frightfully fun (and free) evening at our Halloween at the 'Fest event on Saturday, October 17th, from 4pm-6pm at Riverfest Park!

• Forest Trick-or-Treat Trail
• Face Painting
• Pumpkin Patch
• Bounce Houses
• Free Hamburgers & Hot Dogs
• Fall Photo Ops

We’re also still looking for businesses, organizations, and individuals to host a trick-or-treat station along the forest trail. Decorate a table or area, bring the Halloween spirit, and hand out candy to hundreds of excited trick-or-treaters!

Want to get involved? Sign up to claim your spot along the forest trail and join the haunted fun!

Comprehensive Plan Update

We’re updating De Soto’s long-range Comprehensive Plan, and we want to hear from you!

Join us for a public workshop on Wednesday, October 21st, from 6pm-7:30pm at the De Soto Senior Center. Learn more about Comprehensive Plan 2057 and share your ideas for De Soto’s next 30 years through interactive activities focused on land use, mobility, community character, and more.

You can also share your input online now! In about 15 minutes, you can add ideas and concerns to an interactive map, complete a brief community survey, and post your ideas for De Soto’s future on the idea wall.

Whether you’ve lived in De Soto for decades or are new to the community, we hope you’ll get involved as we look ahead to our 200th year in 2057.

Contain the Rain Grants

Last Month for 2026 Grants!

October 31st is the last day De Soto residents can apply to save on sustainable landscaping projects!

The Contain the Rain program, offered by the City of De Soto and Johnson County, is a cost-share program that reimburses up to 50% of the cost on approved eco-friendly upgrades.

Eligible upgrades include:

• Planting native flowers
• Adding native trees
• Installing a rain barrel
• Creating a rain garden

The De Soto City Council held its regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, October 1st, at City Hall. View the agenda here. Quick rundown:

• Approved a professional agreement with CT Design Development for wash bay at Street Maintenance Facility
• Approved an agreement with Neer Technologies for predictive model for lead pipe identification
• Approved a quote with American Fence for fences at Wells #20 & #21
• Approved a donation request from the De Soto Quarterback Club
• Accepted easements and right-of-way for Flint Meadows East 2nd Plat
• Approved supplement #2 to the development agreement with Mt. Sunflower (Beale)
• Tabled a resolution relating to eminent domain proceedings for the 99th St. water main project until the October 15th meeting
• Approved a guaranteed maximum price for the 99th St. water main project
• Scheduled a public hearing on Digital Realty Project Plan 3 for November 19th
• Held a public hearing and approved issuance of industrial revenue bonds and 75% tax abatement for 21 acres of land along 95th St., between Lexington & Sunflower

In-House Asphalt Update

Public Works crews are heading into the final stretch of the City’s 2026 In-House Asphalt Program!

Asphalt work is now complete on both the north and south sections of Waverly Road. Next up is Kickapoo Street, the last major overlay of this year’s program, with paving scheduled to begin Monday, October 5th.

Drivers may experience short delays while paving is underway. Crews will work to maintain access to homes and properties throughout the project.

Check out the project map for a closer look at each section included in this year’s program.

Calling Youth Soccer Officials!

We’re still looking for youth soccer officials to help us through the rest of the fall season, so if you like soccer and are looking to make an extra dollar, give us a holler!

Games are played Saturday mornings through October 24th, starting around 8:30am and wrapping up around noon. Pay ranges from $15-$20 per match, depending on the level of play.

You don’t have to commit to the whole season, either! If you have soccer experience and are interested in picking up a few games, email Recreation Manager Justin Huslig.

Homeschool Art Classes

• Cost: $25/Student
• Time: 9am-11am
• Location: Home Room (001)

Paint with Paper | Ages 7-14

October 13th & 14th

Students will use tissue paper like paint to create a colorful fall-themed art project. Paint shirts are recommended.

Fall Forest Friends | Ages 5 & 6

October 20th

Students will use a mix of materials and art techniques to create their own owl and squirrel projects. Paint shirts are recommended.

Diamond Art Workshop

Monday, October 19th @ 6pm-7pm

Add a little sparkle to your evening (and your art) at our October Diamond Art Workshop! 

• Where: Home Room (001)
• Cost: $15/person
• Register by: Sunday, October 18th @ 4pm

Kinusaiga Art Workshop

Tuesday, October 20th @ 6pm-8pm

Explore kinusaiga, a Japanese art form that uses fabric pieces to create colorful, textured designs.

Participants will learn the basic process and create a project of their own! No sewing or previous art experience is required, and all supplies will be provided.

• Where: Home Room (001)
• Cost: $15/person
• Register by: Monday, October 19th @ 4pm

Beginner Sourdough Class

Wednesday, October 21st @ 6:30pm-8pm

Learn the basics of starting, maintaining, and baking with sourdough during this beginner-friendly class!

Participants are asked to bring four cups of bread flour and a medium-sized bowl. All other materials and instructions will be provided during class.

• Where: Home Room (001)
• Cost: $25/person
• Register by: Monday, October 19th @ 4pm

Youth Basketball Signups

Youth Basketball Clinic

November 7th, 14th, & 21st

• Grades: K-6th
• Cost: $30 (Includes Clinic Shirt)
• Where: City Hall Gym
• Register by: Sunday, October 18th

Tiny Basketball League

January 2027

• Grades: 1st & 2nd Grade
• Cost: $35 (Includes Team Shirt)
• Register by: Sunday, November 1st

Youth Basketball League

January 2027

• Grades: 3rd-6th Grade
• Cost: $40 (Includes Team Shirt)
• Register by: Sunday, November 1st

Senior Programs

Bingo

Second Wednesdays @ 1pm-2pm

• Upcoming: October 14th
• Where: Senior Center
• Cost: Free

Board Games

Last Wednesdays @ 1pm-2pm

• Upcoming: October 28th
• Where: Senior Center
• Cost: Free

Coffee with a Cop

October 7th, Johnson County Sheriff's Office

Start the morning with coffee and conversation with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office! Stop by Cause Coffee on Wednesday, October 7th, from 7am-9am for Coffee with a Cop.

The casual, drop-in event is a chance to meet local deputies, ask questions about their work in De Soto, and talk about what matters to you when it comes to public safety. Kids are welcome, too, and can meet a deputy, ask questions, and learn more about how deputies serve the community.

Restoration Advisory Board

October 22nd, U.S. Army, KDHE, & U.S. EPA

The U.S. Army is hosting a Former Sunflower Army Ammunition Plant Restoration Advisory Board meeting on Thursday, October 22nd, at 6pm in the Senior Center at City Hall. 

Representatives from the U.S. Army, Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will be there to answer questions at the conclusion of the board meeting.

DEA Drug Take Back Day

October 24th, JoCo Sheriff, NWCFD, & Harps

Saturday, October 24th, is National Drug Take Back Day!

• Time: 10am-2pm
• Where: Harps Grocery - De Soto

The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, Northwest Consolidated Fire District, and Harps Grocery host this event to help provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications. They will accept all prescription drugs, vet medications, and over-the-counter medications.

Harps will also be supplying free burgers and hot dogs as a customer appreciation event. (You don’t have to bring any meds in to get free food!)

Fall Harvest Festival

October 24th, The Barn at Kill Creek Farm

The Fall Harvest Festival at The Barn at Kill Creek Farm will take place on Saturday, October 24th, from 10am to 4pm. The event began with the farm’s early pumpkin sales and has since expanded to include a variety of family-friendly activities.

This free community festival will feature hay slide fun, hands-on rope making, an old-fashioned cake walk, rustic hayrides, unique items from local crafters, and a complimentary lunch. The festival highlights local artisans, agricultural activities, and traditional farm experiences.

Community Trunk-or-Treats

De Soto United Methodist Church

• Date: October 25th, 3pm-5pm
• Location: 8760 Kill Creek Rd

De Soto Baptist Church

• Date: October 25th, 5pm
• Location: 8655 Copeland Way

Reach Church De Soto

• Date: October 31st, 3:30pm-5:30pm
• Location: 33085 W 83rd St