Harvey County Commission
Week of March 15, 2026
Commission certifies USD 373 bond election amid ballot custody debate
County explores relocating courts to Walton Elementary during remodel
Demonstrations scheduled at Harvey County Courthouse in March
Transparency concerns raised over private data center meeting
Legal briefing requested amid ongoing fair board and 4-H difficulties
Scorpius Industries retains tax abatement despite manufacturing downturn
New facility fees nearly cover vehicle department operating costs
Annual township reports show nearly $2 million in cash reserves
County to seek bids for parks mowing following in-house cost study
Commission certifies USD 373 bond election amid ballot custody debate
HARVEY COUNTY, Kan. - The Harvey County Board of Commissioners certified the final results of the Unified School District 373 (USD 373) bond election Tuesday, making the measure's passage official with 2,231 votes in favor and 1,228 against. The canvass, which finalized a total voter turnout of 23.25 percent, was preceded by a debate over election security. One commissioner requested a ballot chain of custody log for drop boxes, suggesting bipartisan teams retrieve the ballots. County Clerk Rick Piepho pushed back against the request, citing a lack of statutory requirements and insufficient staff to handle the mandate. The board ultimately approved the final tally unanimously without requiring the additional logs.
County explores relocating courts to Walton Elementary during remodel
HARVEY COUNTY, Kan. - Harvey County courts may temporarily relocate to Walton Elementary School during the upcoming courthouse remodel. County Administrator Kevin Frymire reported Tuesday that he met with the Newton Board of Education to discuss the potential use of the facility. Frymire said the school board was receptive to the idea and appreciated the collaboration between local government agencies. The county will continue to evaluate the Walton property alongside other potential relocation sites as planning for the courthouse renovation progresses.
Demonstrations scheduled at Harvey County Courthouse in March
HARVEY COUNTY, Kan. - Local residents should expect an organized demonstration at the Harvey County Courthouse later this month. County Administrator Kevin Frymire notified commissioners Tuesday that a protest is officially scheduled on the courthouse grounds for March 28. Frymire provided the date as a situational awareness update for the board and courthouse staff; he did not specify the topic or the group organizing the protest.
Transparency concerns raised over private data center meeting
HARVEY COUNTY, Kan. - A closed-door informational meeting regarding an upcoming data center project sparked transparency concerns among the county commission on Tuesday. One commissioner announced they would not attend the invite-only meeting, which was held this past Friday, to avoid potential violations of the Kansas Open Meetings Act if a quorum were present. County Counselor Brad Jantz advised that attendance is a matter of personal preference and that the county could legally publish a standard public notice allowing multiple commissioners to attend without conducting official business, though the objecting commissioner maintained their intent to skip the event.
Legal briefing requested amid ongoing fair board and 4-H difficulties
HARVEY COUNTY, Kan. - The Harvey County commission is planning a legal review of state free fair laws in response to ongoing local disputes between the Harvey County Free Fair Board and 4-H organizations. A commissioner requested the briefing Tuesday to help the board navigate the continuing difficulties between the two entities. County Administrator Kevin Frymire agreed to schedule the discussion, which will involve County Counselor Brad Jantz, for the commission's upcoming March 25 work session.
Scorpius Industries retains tax abatement despite manufacturing downturn
HARVEY COUNTY, Kan. - The board unanimously certified the annual tax exemption requirements for Scorpius Industries, a local engineering and fabrication business. Owner Shane Denson told commissioners his company has struggled recently due to what he described as massive layoffs at Siemens, a major client, but expressed hope for a turnaround with recent prototype orders from AGCO and the hiring of new staff. Denson also questioned why his company received a tiered, 10-year abatement rather than a full 100 percent exemption. Harvey County Economic Development Council staff clarified that the county's policy awards exemptions based on a return-on-investment formula tied directly to job creation and capital investment.
New facility fees nearly cover vehicle department operating costs
HARVEY COUNTY, Kan. - A new $2.50 facility fee implemented in January is making a significant financial impact for the Harvey County Treasurer's Office. Treasurer Amy Perkins reported that the vehicle department's operating costs — including salaries, supplies and insurance — totaled $47,990 over the first two months of the year. During that same period, the retained fees generated $46,359, leaving a modest shortage of $1,631. Perkins noted that recent changes to driver's license fees are also generating substantial daily revenue, helping the department become increasingly self-sufficient and reducing its reliance on the county's general fund.
Annual township reports show nearly $2 million in cash reserves
HARVEY COUNTY, Kan. - Harvey County's 15 townships are maintaining robust financial health, according to 2025 annual reports unanimously approved by the commission Tuesday. County Clerk Rick Piepho presented the summaries, noting that the townships collectively hold nearly $2 million in cash reserves. Piepho explained the high reserves are necessary to purchase heavy machinery and to float costs for major road repairs or flooding events before Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reimbursements arrive. The reports also indicated a general decrease in township mill levies across the county.
County to seek bids for parks mowing following in-house cost study
HARVEY COUNTY, Kan. - The county commission directed staff to solicit bids for annual parks mowing after reviewing a study that compared contractor rates with bringing the services in-house. Harvey County Parks Director Cass Miller presented findings showing that while in-house mowing could save money long-term, it would require an initial $29,000 investment for two new mowers and the hiring of seasonal employees, bringing the first-year cost to over $61,000. With contractor estimates hovering around $51,600, commissioners opted to test the market with a public bid rather than immediately absorbing the upfront equipment costs.
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