Commission approves $80.7 million budget following lengthy debate over employee pay

Commission votes to exceed revenue neutral rate

New Finney County jail facility prepares for groundbreaking

Health department to close for staff retreat ahead of facility ribbon-cutting

County appraiser's office achieves state compliance

County partners with Garden City on $1 million water infrastructure grant

State funds 100 percent of $479,011 Ravena Road bridge replacement

Commission approves $80.7 million budget following lengthy debate over employee pay

FINNEY COUNTY, Kan. — Following a contentious debate and several failed motions, the Finney County Commission — comprising Mike Utz, Kevin Bascue, Vicki Germann, Larry C. Jones, and Gerry Schultz — unanimously approved a compromise 2027 operating budget of $80,745,492. The primary point of contention was the implementation of the county's McGrath Human Resource Group pay study to address staff turnover, with debates over starting pay disparities. Pushback against raising the mill levy to fund the raises led to multiple 3-2 failed votes among the commissioners. The commission eventually reached a 5-0 compromise to implement the pay study, freeze 11 vacant positions and use $650,000 in cash carryover to bring the final mill levy down to approximately 48.124 mills.

Commission votes to exceed revenue neutral rate

FINNEY COUNTY, Kan. — Prior to reaching a final compromise on the county budget, the commission voted 4-1 to exceed the state-mandated revenue neutral rate of 47.020 mills. A budget originally published at 49.678 mills required the hearing, and one commissioner cast a dissenting vote against exceeding the rate. Due to the state no longer levying the higher education mill and the county absorbing the West Plains Extension District No. 19's budget responsibilities, taxpayers are still expected to see a slight decrease in their overall effective tax rate despite the county exceeding its specific revenue neutral rate.

New Finney County jail facility prepares for groundbreaking

FINNEY COUNTY, Kan. — The commission unanimously approved the parcel plat for the Finney County Jail Addition, effectively clearing the final zoning hurdle for the new law enforcement center. The plat encompasses a 15.10-acre lot currently used for agriculture at 2460 W. Kansas Ave., which is already zoned for light to medium industrial use. County Administrator Derek Ramos informed the board that a request for qualifications for a construction manager at risk will be issued in the coming week, and the official groundbreaking for the facility is scheduled for Sept. 17.

Health department to close for staff retreat ahead of facility ribbon-cutting

FINNEY COUNTY, Kan. — The Finney County Health Department will close its doors to the public on Sept. 23 and 24 to allow staff to participate in a mandated professional development and team-building retreat. The retreat is entirely funded by a federal Public Health Infrastructure Grant. The closure will culminate in the official ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly constructed Finney County Health Department and EMS building, which is scheduled for the morning of Sept. 25.

County appraiser's office achieves state compliance

FINNEY COUNTY, Kan. — The Finney County Appraiser's Office was commended for achieving substantial compliance during an annual statistical and procedural review by the Kansas Department of Revenue's Property Valuation Division. To pass, the county needed a minimum of 75 points on the state's grading scale. Staff noted the accomplishment was particularly impressive given the high recent turnover in the office, with most of the current appraisal staff having been employed by the county for less than two years.

County partners with Garden City on $1 million water infrastructure grant

FINNEY COUNTY, Kan. — Commissioners voted unanimously to partner with the city of Garden City on a State Water Infrastructure Grant application to fund the design of the Northeast Sewer Interceptor. The project, designed to handle regional growth, is estimated to cost $1.3 million in engineering fees. If the state awards the $1 million grant, the county and city plan to split the remaining local costs evenly. Approximately 75 percent of the project lies within city limits, while 25 percent sits in unincorporated Finney County.

State funds 100 percent of $479,011 Ravena Road bridge replacement

FINNEY COUNTY, Kan. — The 83-year-old Ravena Road bridge over the Pawnee River is set to be replaced after the commission unanimously authorized a Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) contract. KDOT will cover 100 percent of the $479,011 construction bid awarded to Salina-based Reece Construction Co.. The aging steel-beam bridge, located north of the K-156 and K-23 junction, is considered functionally obsolete but remains a critical route for school buses and heavy agricultural equipment.

Click here for local obituaries

Click here for local jail logs

Found a mistake? Have a news tip or feedback to share? Contact our newsroom using the button below:

Contact Us