Residents, officials clash over proposed data center and solar farm

Commission establishes strict permitting process for data centers

Construction firm selected to build $55 million county jail

Treasurer secures $95.7 million in jail bond funds

New state legislation targets violent juvenile offenders

County attorney touts student loan forgiveness to attract rural lawyers

EMS reports call volume increase and station progress

County exceeds cap to fund burial for homeless resident

Tourism board puts pause on hotel bed tax increase

Residents, officials clash over proposed data center and solar farm

FINNEY COUNTY, Kan. - Residents voiced strong opposition to a proposed data center and solar farm project during the public comment period, citing concerns over aquifer depletion, soil erosion, transparency and wildlife impacts. In response, Finney County Economic Development Corporation President and CEO Lona DuVall delivered a detailed presentation, saying the project remains in preliminary stages and defending the use of standard nondisclosure agreements during early negotiations. DuVall said the 10,000-acre project area currently uses about 3.26 billion gallons of water annually for agricultural irrigation, and preliminary engineering suggests a data center campus could operate on less than half that amount, potentially reducing local water demand.

Commission establishes strict permitting process for data centers

FINNEY COUNTY, Kan. - The board of county commissioners unanimously approved a specialized application process for data centers seeking to build in Finney County. Development administrative coordinator Mackenzie Phillips introduced the supplemental application under Article 36 of the zoning regulations, requiring developers to provide comprehensive data on utility demands, water usage, noise, lighting and decommissioning plans. It was noted during the meeting that the new framework is intended to prevent the county from "rubber stamping" projects, allowing officials to evaluate 27 required criteria and negotiate community benefit agreements before approving major technology infrastructure.

Construction firm selected to build $55 million county jail

FINNEY COUNTY, Kan. - A Kansas City-area construction firm was selected as the construction manager at risk for the new $55 million Finney County Jail and Law Enforcement Center project. While the firm's fee and general conditions proposal was not the lowest among four competing firms, the multiagency selection committee cited overall value, detention-facility experience and a commitment to using local subcontractors without requiring them to provide bonds. The 200-bed facility, funded by a voter-approved sales tax, is projected to be completed in early 2028.

Treasurer secures $95.7 million in jail bond funds

FINNEY COUNTY, Kan. - Finney County Treasurer Trista Joyce delivered the first-quarter idle funds report, highlighting a $95.7 million deposit secured at Equity Bank. The funds are proceeds from general obligation sales tax bonds issued to finance the new county jail and law enforcement center improvements. Equity Bank was selected over other local financial institutions through a competitive bidding process, and interest earned will be deposited back into the project fund to offset bond interest costs.

New state legislation targets violent juvenile offenders

FINNEY COUNTY, Kan. - In response to questions from the commission, Finney County Attorney Susan Richmeier addressed the potential impact of new state regulations regarding detention of violent juveniles. Richmeier said the legislation may not drastically increase the total number of youths held, but it provides prosecutors and judges additional tools to keep juveniles accused of severe violent offenses, such as hypothetical cases involving gang-related stabbings or homicide, in custody longer before trial.

County attorney touts student loan forgiveness to attract rural lawyers

FINNEY COUNTY, Kan. - Finney County Attorney Susan Richmeier reported that her office processed 389 cases in the first quarter of the year while highlighting ongoing challenges with attorney recruitment and retention. Richmeier pointed to the passage of Kansas House Bill 2595, which establishes rural attorney incentive programs, including student loan repayment assistance of up to $20,000 per year for as many as five years for eligible attorneys who live and practice in qualifying rural areas. She said the office recently welcomed a new hire from Ellis County but continues to await responses from graduating law students.

EMS reports call volume increase and station progress

FINNEY COUNTY, Kan. - Finney County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) responded to 1,024 calls during the first quarter of the year, a slight increase from previous years, according to EMS director Kenny Smith. Smith also provided an update on construction of Station 1 at Eighth and Mary streets, saying exterior concrete work is complete and landscaping is expected to begin next month. Smith said a local paramedic supervisor recently earned certification in Advanced Stroke Life Support and is expected to help train local personnel in advanced cardiac and stroke response.

County exceeds cap to fund burial for homeless resident

FINNEY COUNTY, Kan. - Commissioners unanimously approved a $2,020 payment to Garnand Funeral Home to cover burial costs for a homeless Finney County resident, bypassing a 2012 resolution that capped indigent burial assistance at $750. Staff said the deceased had no estate and estranged family members could not afford final disposition costs. Citing higher funeral costs over the past decade, the commission directed staff to draft an amendment to the 2012 resolution to better reflect current expenses.

Tourism board puts pause on hotel bed tax increase

FINNEY COUNTY, Kan. - Plans to increase the local hotel bed tax were put on hold amid concerns about overburdening visitors and the local economy. During commissioner reports, it was noted the convention and visitors bureau board recently discussed a proposal to raise the bed tax rate from 6 percent to 8 percent. However, it was shared that board members expressed hesitation, noting that with the recently approved half-cent county sales tax increase to fund the new jail, overall taxes on a hotel stay could approach 20 percent, prompting them to delay the proposal.

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