Planning commission recommends three-year moratorium on data centers and alternative energy

County advances rural bridge projects, approves materials bid

Overgrown Solomon Road vacated following public hearing

Backup generator planned for transfer station to protect agricultural chemicals

Strong early voting turnout reported at courthouse

Planning commission recommends three-year moratorium on data centers and alternative energy

DICKINSON COUNTY, Kan. — The Dickinson County Planning Commission is recommending a three-year moratorium on the development of data centers, alternative energy projects and battery energy storage facilities. Planning and Zoning Director Tim Hamilton informed commissioners that the pause will give the county one year to study and address zoning regulations for each of the three specific industries. The county commission is expected to formally vote on the resolution adopting the moratorium at next week's meeting.

County advances rural bridge projects, approves materials bid

DICKINSON COUNTY, Kan. — Progress continues on Dickinson County's rural infrastructure as it was announced the deck for the 1100 Avenue bridge will be poured by the end of July, with an expected reopening in September. In related action, a $41,006 bid from Welborn Sales was approved for structural steel, decking and sheeting to rebuild a bridge structure at 168 Barn Road. Strong contractor interest was also noted in the upcoming 1900 Avenue bridge project, with nine companies already picking up bid packets.

Overgrown Solomon Road vacated following public hearing

DICKINSON COUNTY, Kan. — Following a public hearing, a minimum-maintenance portion of Solomon Road between 3100 Avenue and 3200 Avenue in Flora Township was vacated. Adjacent landowners expressed frustration during the hearing, noting the road has been overgrown with trees and unmaintained for more than a decade, leaving them to manage the liabilities and property taxes once the road reverts to their parcels. The vacation was approved at the request of the township, officially removing the roadway from the public system.

Backup generator planned for transfer station to protect agricultural chemicals

DICKINSON COUNTY, Kan. — The county will seek to install a backup generator at the Dickinson County Transfer Station, a move aimed at preventing roughly $90,000 worth of winter weed-spraying chemicals from freezing during power outages. Staff noted the transfer station also serves as a critical emergency operations hub — previously utilized by the fire department and Kansas Highway Patrol during a tornado — and houses a backup data server. To further reduce costs at the site, the county plans to consolidate the facility's three electrical meters into a single connection, saving up to $100 a month in baseline fees.

Strong early voting turnout reported at courthouse

DICKINSON COUNTY, Kan. — With early voting underway, steady participation has been reported leading up to the primary election. Since early voting began July 15, the county has seen 241 in-person voters at the courthouse polling site and has mailed out 155 requested ballots. In-person early voting will continue Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. until noon on Aug. 3.

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