Harvey County Commission
Week of July 1, 2026
Engineers recommend permanent closure of 90-year-old county bridge
Summer road projects advance with Dutch Avenue asphalt overlay
Commissioners review proposed Hesston housing district tax incentive
Harvey County sales tax collections show strong second-quarter growth
County officials to meet with state regarding local chloride plume mitigation
County offers free nitrate well testing and low-income sewer replacement grants
Engineers recommend permanent closure of 90-year-old county bridge
HARVEY COUNTY, Kan. — Harvey County Road and Bridge Director Jim Meier reported Tuesday that consulting engineers strongly recommend permanently closing and removing Bridge E151 on Southwest 60th Street, just east of South Emma Creek. MKEC Engineering found extensive damage to the 90-year-old structure's piers, noting that repairing the bridge would cost between $380,000 and $750,000 while still leaving it load-posted. Completely replacing the 240-foot bridge would cost in excess of $2.5 million, an expense the department deemed an inefficient use of taxpayer dollars given the availability of a much sturdier detour bridge just one mile south.
Summer road projects advance with Dutch Avenue asphalt overlay
HARVEY COUNTY, Kan. — Summer road maintenance continues across Harvey County, with Pearson Construction scheduled to begin a hot mix asphalt overlay project the week of July 13 on Dutch Avenue, starting at K-15 and moving west. Meanwhile, the Road and Bridge Department confirmed that the newly repaired bridge on West 12th Street is officially open to traffic.
Commissioners review proposed Hesston housing district tax incentive
HESSSTON, Kan. — The Harvey County Board of Commissioners reviewed a proposed Reinvestment Housing Incentive District for the city of Hesston aimed at developing 51 new housing units at the former Wheatland Square mobile home park. Hesston City Administrator Jason Thrasher presented the 25-year plan, which would divert 91% of incremental tax revenues to help developers offset the high costs of infrastructure. Commissioner Don Schroeder recused himself from the discussion due to a conflict of interest from his seat on the Hesston Planning and Zoning Commission. The county took no action to object, allowing the city's project to move forward.
Harvey County sales tax collections show strong second-quarter growth
HARVEY COUNTY, Kan. — Harvey County saw a significant bump in sales tax revenues during the second quarter of 2026, according to a financial report presented to the commission. The county's second-cent sales tax collection reached roughly $1.6 million, a $17,568 increase compared to the same time last year and an 8.12% increase from 2024. Additionally, the county's portion of the compensating use tax increased by $22,000 for the quarter, reflecting a steady uptick in local retail spending and economic activity.
County officials to meet with state regarding local chloride plume mitigation
HARVEY COUNTY, Kan. — The Harvey County Planning and Zoning Department announced an upcoming meeting with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and Groundwater Management District 2 to address a local chloride plume. The state recently contacted the county to begin discussions on securing funding for environmental mitigation efforts in the affected groundwater area, with county staff promising to keep commissioners updated on the state's proposed solutions.
County offers free nitrate well testing and low-income sewer replacement grants
HARVEY COUNTY, Kan. — Harvey County residents with private water wells can now access free nitrate testing through a Kansas State University research initiative aimed at identifying high-nitrate areas and reducing agricultural fertilizer runoff. Additionally, the Planning and Zoning Department announced the availability of a state grant program to help low-income homeowners — those making up to 325% of the poverty level — pay for the replacement of failing sewer systems and essential water testing.
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