Harvey County receives briefing on EF2 tornado damage

Commissioners note concerns over agricultural runoff

Board approves charter resolution to aid delinquent taxpayers

Commission approves $380,000 budget for extension council

County renews analytical services contract for appraiser's office

Health department adopts mid-year fee schedule

Commission considers canceling Election Day meeting

Harvey County receives briefing on EF2 tornado damage

HARVEY COUNTY, Kan. — Harvey County Emergency Management Director Mike Anderson provided an update on the tornado that struck the area early Sunday, June 21. Working alongside Sedgwick County and the National Weather Service in Wichita, officials determined the tornado was an Enhanced Fujita 2, featuring a 50-yard width and peak winds of 135 miles per hour. While the primary impacted residence was in Sedgwick County, Anderson noted that a significant amount of debris landed in Harvey County. Anderson used the report to urge residents to maintain emergency kits, formulate a family communication plan and stay alert to multiple weather warning sources.

Commissioners note concerns over agricultural runoff

HARVEY COUNTY, Kan. — During committee reports, the board discussed the environmental impact of heavy rains following dry spells, specifically focusing on regional agricultural runoff. Commissioners noted that sediment, herbicides, and pesticides — particularly atrazine — drain from the multi-county Little Arkansas River subbasin toward Wichita. This regional runoff complicates the city's Equus Beds Aquifer Recharge Project and municipal water supply. Officials emphasized the importance of viewing water issues on a regional scale to collaborate with neighboring counties and mitigate downstream contamination.

Board approves charter resolution to aid delinquent taxpayers

HARVEY COUNTY, Kan. — The Harvey County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved Charter Resolution 2026-1, altering how residents can redeem delinquent real estate taxes. Harvey County Treasurer Amy Perkins explained the new policy allows taxpayers to pay their current year's taxes alongside their oldest delinquent year, effectively establishing a four-year catch-up plan. This replaces a 2019 resolution that required payments to be applied strictly to the oldest year, a policy that often left residents vulnerable to tax sales despite making payments. Perkins noted the change aims to help struggling taxpayers avoid having their properties sent to a tax sale while still ensuring the county collects owed funds.

Commission approves $380,000 budget for extension council

HARVEY COUNTY, Kan. — Commissioners unanimously approved a $380,000 appropriation for the Harvey County Extension Council for the 2027 calendar year. A Harvey County extension agent detailed the council's ongoing community education efforts across agriculture, community vitality and 4-H youth development, emphasizing that the county funds approximately 62 percent of the council's budget while Kansas State University covers a portion of agents' salaries. While the council avoided requesting an increase for the fourth consecutive year, the presenter warned that rising operational costs and flat state funding may necessitate an increase in the near future.

County renews analytical services contract for appraiser's office

HARVEY COUNTY, Kan. — The Harvey County Board of Commissioners approved a $38,300 annual contract with McCully & Associates to provide analytical services for the Harvey County Appraiser's Office. According to staff, the renewal will maintain consistency in property valuations, assist with hearings and help keep the eight-person office in compliance with state deadlines. Commissioners noted that the approved bid was significantly lower than competing offers, with one alternative proposal reportedly coming in substantially higher than the chosen contract.

Health department adopts mid-year fee schedule

HARVEY COUNTY, Kan. — A mid-year fee schedule update for the Harvey County Health Department was unanimously approved, with costs remaining largely flat across the board. The most notable change was a significant price drop for the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine, which previously cost patients upwards of $262. Assistant Health Department Director Tobias Harkins noted that the vaccine's price has naturally decreased as manufacturers stabilized production and the product found its niche in the market, providing a welcome cost reduction for local residents.

Commission considers canceling Election Day meeting

HARVEY COUNTY, Kan. — Commissioners briefly discussed the upcoming meeting calendar, noting a scheduling conflict on Tuesday, Aug. 4. With the date coinciding with the Kansas primary elections, the board expressed a strong preference for canceling the regular session to accommodate voting operations and staff polling duties. A formal recommendation and vote to cancel the meeting are expected to be brought forward next week.

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

Contact Us