County commission candidates outline priorities at public forum

MCPHERSON, Kan. — Stephen Gray, who is challenging District 1 incumbent Keith Becker, joined Becker and unopposed District 2 candidate Tom Kueser at a McPherson County commission forum Thursday evening, July 30, at the McPherson American Legion.

The McPherson Chamber of Commerce Civic Awareness Committee hosted the event. Gray, Becker and Kueser answered 12 questions covering property taxes, data centers, population growth, renewable energy, infrastructure, law enforcement, water, small businesses, flooding, land use and leadership. Each also delivered opening and closing remarks.

Stephen Gray-R

Gray, Becker’s challenger in District 1, said he has 40 years of ministry and organizational leadership experience, including work as a pastor, superintendent and bishop. He also described experience managing budgets, training leaders, starting businesses, serving on a planning and zoning commission and helping lead Kairos Wholesale. Gray said those roles taught him to manage organizations, solve problems and work with people.

Gray said the county’s limited population growth has restricted its tax base and made it harder to pay for roads, bridges and other services. He said the county should pursue responsible growth and look for ways to encourage people who work in McPherson County to live there. Gray opposed open-loop data centers because of their water use, said other data-center designs should be evaluated individually and called for caution on wind, solar and battery-storage projects.

Gray said the Sheriff’s Department is performing well but stated that an additional patrol position and spare vehicle could help cover the county. He said county officials should protect water supplies through land-use decisions, reduce unnecessary planning and zoning costs for small businesses, coordinate with the city on drainage and balance commercial growth with agricultural preservation. Gray described his leadership style as consultative, driven and focused on completing projects while serving residents rather than advancing a personal agenda.

Keith Becker-R

Becker, the District 1 incumbent seeking re-election, said he has spent 25 years in public service, including service in Empire Township, about 15 years on the Canton-Galva school board and nearly 12 years as a county commissioner. A farmer, Becker said he represents Kansas counties on the National Association of Counties Board of Directors and serves as president of the Kansas County Association Multiline Pool board.

Becker identified infrastructure, economic growth and public safety as his leading concerns. He said county officials plan to reduce the mill levy by one mill in the 2027 budget and should continue expanding the tax base while treating residents’ tax dollars carefully. On data centers, Becker pointed to the county’s moratorium and said officials should continue gathering information and receiving public input before making decisions.

Becker said he opposes solar development because of its effect on agricultural land and supports the county’s earlier decision against wind energy development. He said the county should continue inspecting and replacing bridges, funding the Sheriff’s Department, protecting groundwater and working with the city on flooding. Becker said his leadership approach is based on experience, stating his views and listening to taxpayers even when he disagrees with them.

Tom Kueser-R

Kueser, the unopposed District 2 candidate and incumbent, said he has served seven years as a commissioner and works as president of the State Bank of Canton. He cited his financial experience and the county’s renovation of its administration building without borrowed money, crediting previous commissioners for establishing the budgets that supported the project. He said he favors transparent government, research before decisions and respectful treatment of residents.

Kueser named roads and bridges, public safety and the local economy as his main concerns. He said the county should begin considering upgrades to its aging jail and continue supporting existing industries. Kueser said population and economic growth must be deliberate because expansion also increases demands on roads, bridges and public-safety services.

Kueser said decisions on wind and solar projects should reflect public input and local conditions. He said the county’s asphalt plant helps control infrastructure costs, described current law-enforcement staffing and funding as adequate, and pointed to falling groundwater levels monitored by Equus Beds Groundwater Management District No. 2. He said commissioners should support small businesses by maintaining a positive countywide economic climate, work with the city on flooding and balance commercial development with protection of agriculture.

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