Harvey County Commission
Week of June 5, 2026
Commission approves Halstead Neighborhood Revitalization Program
County compensation study recommends 2 percent pay scale adjustment
Pay grade tweaks target assistant county attorney recruitment
August primary election preparations underway
Unprecedented interest shown for aviation commission vacancy
County and city review airport capital improvement plan
Commission approves Halstead Neighborhood Revitalization Program
HARVEY COUNTY, Kan. — The Harvey County Commission unanimously approved the renewal of the City of Halstead's Neighborhood Revitalization Program interlocal agreement on Tuesday. The program provides tax rebates for five to 10 years to incentivize residential and commercial property improvements. Questions were initially raised regarding the agreement's 2037 expiration date—which allows 10-year commercial rebates to continue through 2047—but the commission approved the measure after county staff clarified the board retains the right to withdraw from the program at any time with a 90-day notice.
County compensation study recommends 2 percent pay scale adjustment
HARVEY COUNTY, Kan. — A recent market study by McGrath Human Resources Group recommends a 2 percent increase to Harvey County's overall compensation model to keep employee pay competitive with neighboring municipalities. Representatives from the consulting firm indicated that while the county's pay scale is generally well-aligned with the market following a 2022 overhaul, the 2 percent adjustment will ensure the county maintains its target of average market pay. The adjustment will be implemented in addition to the county's upcoming annual cost-of-living increase.
Pay grade tweaks target assistant county attorney recruitment
HARVEY COUNTY, Kan. — Harvey County will adjust the pay grades for assistant county attorneys to aid in ongoing recruitment and retention efforts. According to the recent McGrath Human Resources Group compensation study, these positions are notably difficult to fill, which the study notes reflects a broader statewide struggle to retain prosecutors. Conversely, the study found that pay for deputy detention officers is already aligned with the market average. To address turnover in the jail, the compensation study recommended the county explore alternative, non-salary benefits, as raising the base pay further would misalign with the county's average-market compensation philosophy.
August primary election preparations underway
HARVEY COUNTY, Kan. — County officials are reminding residents of the rules for the upcoming Aug. 4 primary election [5]. Unaffiliated voters can affiliate with a party at any time—up to and including Election Day—to vote in either the Republican or Democratic primaries [4]. Alternatively, unaffiliated voters may choose to remain unaffiliated and receive a ballot containing only the Kansas Elections for Supreme Court Justices Amendment question [1].
Unprecedented interest shown for aviation commission vacancy
HARVEY COUNTY, Kan. — The Newton City-County Aviation Commission [6] has received an unprecedented seven applications for an open seat on the advisory board. During the meeting, it was noted that this is the first time the county has seen such high interest from citizens wanting to serve on the aviation board. The advisory body is expected to review the candidates at its upcoming July 20 meeting.
County and city review airport capital improvement plan
HARVEY COUNTY, Kan. — Harvey County and the City of Newton are currently reviewing a five-year capital improvement plan for the Newton City-County Airport [1]. Following a special Newton City-County Aviation Commission [6] meeting on Monday, the drafted plan highlighted that two major improvement items are slated between 2026 and 2030. Staff will distribute the drafted plan to the full county commission to keep the board informed on future airport expansion possibilities and major construction projects.
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