Abilene residents will vote on a 0.35% recreation facilities sales tax in a special election on February 4, 2025. The tax, previously rejected in the 2024 primary, aims to fund multi-purpose sports fields and other recreation improvements. Advocates of the tax emphasize its benefits, including economic boosts from visitors, better facilities for youth sports, and support for the Central Kansas Free Fair.

The updated ballot label, “recreation facilities,” hopes to clarify its purpose. In the previous election, the issue narrowly lost 675 to 608, possibly due to confusion on the tax’s purpose. The tax would generate $3.7 million over ten years, funding field construction near the Abilene Community Center and improvements to parks, such as adding pickleball courts and a splash pad.

Renovating current fields is costlier due to outdated infrastructure, including lighting and septic issues. The task force encourages community input to finalize designs and address concerns.