Dickinson County Commission Summary
Week of July 10, 2026
County commission proposes 2025 budget under revenue neutral rate
Commissioners debate budget cut to conservation district
EMS adjusts capital plan, delays second ambulance purchase
Commission approves community paramedicine program contract
Highway department gets approval for $36,500 digital signs
Noxious weed department seeks generator to protect chemical assets
Evening town hall proposed for data center zoning concerns
Memorial to be dedicated at Solomon Park event
County commission proposes 2025 budget under revenue neutral rate
DICKINSON COUNTY, Kan. — The Dickinson County Commission plans to keep the upcoming 2025 budget under the revenue neutral rate, proposing a property tax rate of 48.402 mills. Assistant County Administrator Marcus Rothchild noted this represents a 3 percent reduction from the previous year and a 15 percent drop since 2022. If the county had maintained its 2022 peak rate of 56.891 mills, it would be collecting an estimated $2.5 million more in property taxes today. A formal public budget hearing is scheduled for Aug. 20.
Commissioners debate budget cut to conservation district
DICKINSON COUNTY, Kan. — Commissioners debated a proposed $10,000 budget cut to the Dickinson County Conservation District, which would lower the agency's funding from $40,000 to $30,000. During the debate, pushback against the reduction noted that state matching funds mean the county would be sacrificing an additional $10,000 in state revenue that goes directly to local agricultural producers. The county commission agreed to hold off on finalizing the cut and will revisit the conservation district's funding at their next scheduled meeting.
EMS adjusts capital plan, delays second ambulance purchase
DICKINSON COUNTY, Kan. — Dickinson County Emergency Medical Services will delay the purchase of a second new ambulance until 2028 to help balance out the county's capital expenditures, though the department will still proceed with buying one unit in 2026. A fully equipped new ambulance currently costs the county between $260,000 and $350,000, depending on whether the department purchases a complete truck or simply remounts an existing ambulance box onto a new chassis.
Commission approves community paramedicine program contract
DICKINSON COUNTY, Kan. — The county commission unanimously approved a contract agreement to officially implement a community paramedicine program in the county. The contract submission will allow the county to receive Mobile Integrated Healthcare payments, advancing a grant-funded initiative that has been in development to provide preventive and follow-up healthcare directly to residents in their homes, ultimately aiming to reduce unnecessary emergency room visits.
Highway department gets approval for $36,500 digital signs
DICKINSON COUNTY, Kan. — The county commission unanimously approved the purchase of two digital message signs for the Highway, Road and Bridge Department for $36,500. The total cost includes a $1,900 transport fee and a $500 transport surcharge. The mobile message boards will be deployed to alert drivers to bridge closures, highway maintenance and other public safety situations throughout the county.
Noxious weed department seeks generator to protect chemical assets
DICKINSON COUNTY, Kan. — The county is seeking electrical and propane bids for a backup generator at the Noxious Weed and Household Hazardous Waste facility to protect expensive assets during severe weather. Officials warned that an extended winter power outage could freeze and destroy up to $400,000 worth of agricultural chemicals stored at the site. The department is evaluating whether a natural gas or propane-powered generator would be the most reliable option during an extreme weather event.
Evening town hall proposed for data center zoning concerns
DICKINSON COUNTY, Kan. — Amid rising public interest in data centers and renewable energy projects, the county commission discussed holding a special evening town hall meeting to gather public input before voting on a zoning moratorium. County Counselor Aaron Martin clarified that while the Dickinson County Planning Commission acts as an advisory board on land use, the county commission holds final authority on policy. The proposed evening town hall would allow residents who work during the day to voice their concerns directly to commissioners before any binding action is taken.
Memorial to be dedicated at Solomon Park event
SOLOMON, Kan. — A memorial honoring Gold Star families of fallen military service members will be dedicated at Solomon City Park on Saturday, July 18, 2026. The memorial project was spearheaded by the Solomon FFA chapter, which secured a grant and coordinated with the city to establish the location. A 7:45 a.m. flag-raising ceremony will feature a bugler playing taps and a Revolutionary War reenactor, kicking off the Solomon United Festival.
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