Disaster declaration passed following severe storms

Emergency management clarifies purpose of storm sirens

Dispatch staffing shortages result in large budget carryover

EMS to receive Medicaid reimbursement for "treat in place" calls

County exploring zoning regulations for data centers

Commission approves three conditional use permits for local business and infrastructure

Commission splits vote on extended fireworks sales and discharge

Economic development corporation seeks $130,000, focuses on housing

Rising crime impacts juvenile detention center

County awarded state grant for cybersecurity upgrades

1. Disaster declaration passed following severe storms

DICKINSON COUNTY, Kan. — Dickinson County commissioners unanimously approved a local disaster emergency declaration following severe storms that battered the county between June 4 and June 12. Emergency Management Director Chancy Smith reported extreme wind gusts, snapped utility poles and up to 9 inches of rain that washed out several county roads and required highway crews to work overnight shifts. The declaration allows the county to join neighboring jurisdictions in pursuing state or federal relief funds, which currently require a $5 million statewide damage threshold to trigger.

2. Emergency management clarifies purpose of storm sirens

DICKINSON COUNTY, Kan. — Following public complaints that tornado sirens failed to activate or were not heard during recent severe weather, Emergency Management Director Chancy Smith reminded residents that sirens are strictly meant as outdoor warning devices. While some sirens in communities like Woodbine and Herington lost power or radio signals during the storms, Smith emphasized that residents indoors should not expect sirens to wake them up. He urged the public to maintain multiple ways to receive weather alerts, such as cellphone apps and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration weather radios.

3. Dispatch staffing shortages result in large budget carryover

DICKINSON COUNTY, Kan. — Severe staffing shortages in the Dickinson County 911 Dispatch Center are projected to leave the department with nearly $287,000 in unspent personnel funds for the current fiscal year. The center is currently operating with only five full-time and four part-time employees out of nine total positions. While the personnel savings will roll over into the county's general fund, Emergency Communications Director Amber Pfeifer noted that state-allocated 911 funds of $140,000 are not keeping pace with the rising contractual costs of mandated computer-aided dispatch software and radio maintenance.

4. EMS to receive Medicaid reimbursement for "treat in place" calls

DICKINSON COUNTY, Kan. — The Dickinson County Emergency Medical Services budget will see a boost in revenue starting July 1 as Kansas Medicaid begins reimbursing agencies for "treat in place" medical calls. EMS Director John Hultgren noted that previously, the department received zero compensation if paramedics treated a patient — such as administering an intravenous line for low blood sugar — but did not transport them to a hospital. The new Medicaid rule will pay the county $250 for these non-transport treatment calls, aligning with the department's Mobile Integrated Healthcare goal of keeping residents healthy at home.

5. County exploring zoning regulations for data centers

DICKINSON COUNTY, Kan. — The county is taking preemptive steps to regulate potential tech industry development, with County Counselor Aaron Martin announcing upcoming work on zoning regulations for data centers. Martin will meet with the planning commission for preliminary discussions on how to handle the facilities, which often require massive amounts of power and land. Any proposed policies or zoning requirements developed by the planning commission will eventually be brought before the county commission for final approval.

6. Commission approves three conditional use permits for local business and infrastructure

DICKINSON COUNTY, Kan. — The commission unanimously approved three conditional use permits to expand local business and infrastructure in rural Dickinson County. The approvals pave the way for Tilman Infrastructure to build a 200-foot telecommunications tower near Union Road and 1900 Avenue and allow a guided hunting outfitter and lodging business, King Whitetails LLC operated by Robert Babbitt, to operate. Additionally, a local couple, Ray and Mary Mast, received approval to open a public woodworking and cabinet shop at the corner of 3100 Avenue and Nail Road.

7. Commission splits vote on extended fireworks sales and discharge

DICKINSON COUNTY, Kan. — In a 2-1 split vote, the commission approved a resolution extending the allowed period for discharging fireworks in the county to run from June 27 through July 5. The previous resolution only permitted discharge from July 1 through July 4, with a one-day extension if the holiday fell on a Thursday or Friday. The dissenting vote cited feedback from constituents who preferred the shorter window to reduce noise disruptions and accommodate local veterans and pets.

8. Economic development corporation seeks $130,000, focuses on housing

DICKINSON COUNTY, Kan. — Driving Dickinson County Chief Executive Officer Natalie Muruato presented her 2027 budget proposal, requesting $130,000 from the county to continue economic development efforts. Muruato emphasized that her primary focus moving forward is addressing the local housing shortage, which she identified as the main barrier to workforce and business expansion. She suggested the county needs more move-in-ready "starter homes" priced around $180,000, featuring smaller footprints and shared plumbing walls to keep construction costs affordable for young professionals.

9. Rising crime impacts juvenile detention center

DICKINSON COUNTY, Kan. — A recent committee report highlighted a spike in local juvenile crime that is currently stretching resources at the North Central Kansas Regional Juvenile Detention Facility. According to the report, the facility is experiencing higher demand than anticipated, requiring staff to work harder to ensure all youth detainees are properly managed and cared for.

10. County awarded state grant for cybersecurity upgrades

DICKINSON COUNTY, Kan. — Details on this story were listed in the table of contents but were not provided in the source material. Please supply body text for publication.

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