Whitetail Crossing subdivision stalls on tie vote over water concerns

Overhaul proposed to transient guest tax

Construction management firm selected to lead detention center project

Commission approves tax abatement for $35 million Garden City Co-op expansion

County pushes back against proposed state renewable energy tax

Board rejects government-led vacation of platted but unbuilt rights-of-way

County distributes annual alcohol tax funds to community programs

Landfill fees waived for spring cleanup events

Treasurer's office to close for regional training meeting

Whitetail Crossing subdivision stalls on tie vote over water concerns

FINNEY COUNTY, Kan. — The Finney County Board of Commissioners deadlocked 2-2 on a rezoning request for the proposed 10-lot Whitetail Crossing subdivision, stalling the rural residential development. Neighbors opposed the project, presenting data on declining Ogallala Aquifer groundwater levels and arguing that the development's planned use of the deeper Dakota Aquifer could dry up nearby domestic wells. Residents also raised safety concerns regarding deteriorating conditions and frequent flooding on North Jennie Barker Road. With an absent commissioner, the tied vote failed to adopt the planning commission's 7-1 recommendation for approval, prompting the board to table the subdivision's final plat until a full commission is present.

Overhaul proposed to transient guest tax

FINNEY COUNTY, Kan. — During a meeting led by Commission Chair Gerry Schultz, the county administrator was directed to draft a proposal to overhaul the county's transient guest tax, with a suggested rate increase from 6 percent to 8 percent. It was noted during the session that the county has historically passed these public funds to the Finney County Convention and Visitors Bureau without a formal contract, deliverables or standard financial oversight. The new proposal would bring the administration of the funds in-house, create a county destination committee to oversee the money and use the additional revenue to fund improvements to publicly owned visitor facilities, such as the fairgrounds. A request was also made for the board to begin considering the legalization of Sunday liquor sales in the county.

Construction management firm selected to lead detention center project

FINNEY COUNTY, Kan. — The county is moving forward with a construction management firm as the construction manager at risk for the new Finney County Detention Center. Following a committee evaluation of qualifications, fees and project approach, the selected firm scored the highest among bidders, despite not being the lowest-cost option. Staff noted that Kansas law allows the county to select the firm offering the best overall value rather than strictly the lowest bid. Contract negotiations are currently underway, with construction documents expected to be finalized in late June. Dirt work is anticipated to begin in October, keeping the high-dollar infrastructure project on track for a 2028 completion.

Commission approves tax abatement for $35 million Garden City Co-op expansion

FINNEY COUNTY, Kan. — The board unanimously approved a 60 percent property tax abatement for a 10-year term for the Garden City Co-op. The economic development exemption is tied to an estimated $35 million capital investment aimed at retaining and expanding the county's agriculture industry. A state-prepared cost-benefit analysis projected the project will generate approximately $7.4 million in total fiscal benefits for the county over a 15-year period.

County pushes back against proposed state renewable energy tax

FINNEY COUNTY, Kan. — Finney County Economic Development President Lona DuVall briefed the commission on local efforts to fight a proposed state excise tax on large renewable energy projects. DuVall expressed her opinion that the legislation, championed by state Sen. Caryn Tyson, constitutes a significant overreach into local government control. DuVall argued the state tax could hinder the county's ability to negotiate payments in lieu of taxes to cover the costs of road usage and school enrollments, which she characterized as effectively using local industrial projects to fund statewide property tax reductions. (State Sen. Caryn Tyson has been offered an opportunity to respond to these claims.)

Board rejects government-led vacation of platted but unbuilt rights-of-way

FINNEY COUNTY, Kan. — The Finney County Board of Commissioners declined a staff recommendation to initiate a county-led vacation of several platted but unbuilt rights-of-way, which were platted in 1970 but never constructed. Staff noted that GPS mapping software frequently misdirects delivery drivers into empty fields where the roads are supposed to be, creating safety hazards. However, concerns were raised during the meeting that abandoning public easements without a unified petition from the affected landowners constitutes government overreach and could risk landlocking certain parcels. Staff was directed to ask the landowners to initiate the petition process themselves.

County distributes annual alcohol tax funds to community programs

FINNEY COUNTY, Kan. — The commission approved multiple grant distributions from the state alcoholic liquor fund, allocating thousands of dollars to local community programs. The county agreed to fund its 10 percent share of $75,000 in grants alongside Garden City, supporting organizations that focus on drug and alcohol prevention. Additionally, the county distributed $10,000 in parks and recreation funds. The parks committee noted they received a record 14 applications requesting $199,000 this year, forcing the county to issue smaller, equal awards to selected community groups.

Landfill fees waived for spring cleanup events

FINNEY COUNTY, Kan. — Finney County residents will save money at the dump this spring after the commission unanimously agreed to waive the $2-per-ton municipal waste fee for upcoming municipal cleanup events. The fee waiver applies to the Garden City spring cleanup from March 30 to April 10, the Holcomb cleanup from April 10 to 17 and general county resident drop-offs on April 3 and 10. The board also extended the waiver to cover a local riverbed cleanup effort scheduled for early May.

Treasurer's office to close for regional training meeting

FINNEY COUNTY, Kan. — The Finney County Treasurer's Office will close to the public on April 15, 2026, to allow staff to host and attend the Southwest Kansas Treasurer's Association spring meeting. The closure, unanimously approved by the commission, will allow all local treasury employees to receive state-mandated fraud and legislative training from the Kansas Department of Revenue without the county incurring out-of-town travel expenses. Residents are encouraged to plan their county business around the one-day closure.

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