Harvey County Commission
Week of July 15, 2026
Commission approves maximum mill levy, preserves flexibility for attorney position
County attorney and commission clash over need for fifth prosecutor
County to include tax breakdown graphic in upcoming mailers
Sheriff's office reports second consecutive month of record caseloads
Jail overtime remains high as inmate population nears 100
Flock cameras instrumental in arrest of Kansas City homicide suspects
Sheriff's office rethinks vehicle fleet following cost and mileage data
Clerk announces early voting dates for upcoming primary election
County receives three bids for official legal publication
Commission approves maximum mill levy, preserves flexibility for attorney position
HARVEY COUNTY, Kan. — The Harvey County Board of Commissioners approved setting the maximum tax levy for the 2027 budget at 47.8 mills, representing a maximum ad valorem tax of $21,244,756. The decision followed a contentious debate over funding for a vacant fifth county attorney position. An initial motion to set the rate at a lower 47.464 mills died for lack of a second. The higher 47.8 rate was subsequently motioned and passed to maintain financial flexibility in the budget while the board continues evaluating caseload data. A public budget and revenue neutral rate hearing is scheduled for Aug. 25.
County attorney and commission clash over need for fifth prosecutor
HARVEY COUNTY, Kan. — Harvey County Attorney Heather Figger urged the commission to retain funding for a fifth attorney position, citing burnout, a massive increase in law enforcement referrals and a looming need to reevaluate her office's services if the position is cut. However, commissioners presented Ninth Judicial District Court data indicating Harvey County's 604 cases per attorney is lower than peer counties, including McPherson, Butler and Lyon. Figger argued the state data lacks vital context regarding judge allocations and support staff, prompting the board to delay a final decision on the position until more internal data is provided.
County to include tax breakdown graphic in upcoming mailers
HARVEY COUNTY, Kan. — In an effort to clarify local taxation for residents, Harvey County will include a graphical insert in its upcoming revenue neutral rate notices mailed to property owners. Commissioners directed staff to prepare a visual breakdown demonstrating that the county government is only responsible for levying roughly 25 percent of a resident's total property tax bill. The state-mandated notices, which inform taxpayers of proposed budget increases that exceed the revenue neutral rate, are expected to hit local mailboxes around Aug. 1.
Sheriff's office reports second consecutive month of record caseloads
HARVEY COUNTY, Kan. — The Harvey County Sheriff's Office recorded its most productive month in history this June, pulling 262 cases to narrowly beat May's previous record of 260. Sheriff Chad Gay reported that deputies also conducted 567 traffic stops, made 129 arrests and drove 51,780 miles last month. The record-breaking figures coincide with an influx of new law enforcement personnel across the county, which the Harvey County Attorney's Office noted has heavily increased their prosecutorial workload and further strained the criminal justice system.
Jail overtime remains high as inmate population nears 100
HARVEY COUNTY, Kan. — Staffing shortages continue to drive up overtime expenses at the Harvey County Detention Center, with correctional staff logging 345 overtime hours in June. Sheriff Chad Gay noted the facility is currently in the hiring process but frequently operated at minimum staffing levels last month. Meanwhile, the jail population continues to climb, reaching 99 inmates as of Tuesday morning, driven in part by what Gay described as an unusually high number of female inmates.
Flock cameras instrumental in arrest of Kansas City homicide suspects
HARVEY COUNTY, Kan. — Automated license plate reading technology continues to yield high-profile results for Harvey County law enforcement. Sheriff Chad Gay reported that the county's Flock camera system was instrumental in identifying and apprehending three individuals wanted in connection with a Kansas City, Kansas, homicide investigation in June. The arrests, for which suspect names were not released at the meeting, also led to the recovery of two stolen firearms connected to the investigation, adding to the 51 total successes and 42 arrests credited to the camera system over the course of the month.
Sheriff's office rethinks vehicle fleet following cost and mileage data
HARVEY COUNTY, Kan. — The Harvey County Sheriff's Office may transition away from purchasing pickup trucks for its fleet after an internal review revealed SUVs are significantly more cost-effective. Sheriff Chad Gay reported that when comparing comparable new-purchase pricing, a 2024 Dodge Durango costs approximately $8,000 less than a 2023 Ford F-150 and averages better fuel efficiency at 16.14 miles per gallon compared to the truck's 14.51. Furthermore, Gay noted that previously anticipated higher resale values for used county trucks at auction did not materialize, leading the department to strongly favor SUVs for future purchases.
Clerk announces early voting dates for upcoming primary election
HARVEY COUNTY, Kan. — With the Aug. 4 primary election rapidly approaching, the Harvey County Clerk's Office announced the county will begin mailing out advanced ballots on Wednesday. The county will also open early voting in the old commission room of the Harvey County Courthouse starting next Tuesday. Early voting will be available weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with additional weekend hours scheduled from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the Saturday immediately preceding the election.
County receives three bids for official legal publication
HARVEY COUNTY, Kan. — The board accepted receipt of three proposals to serve as the county's official publication of legal notices for the 2027 fiscal year. Bids were submitted by the Newton Kansan, Harvey County Now and the Wichita Eagle. County staff noted they will need to consult with Harvey County Counselor Brad Jantz regarding the Wichita Eagle's submission to determine if the Wichita-based publication meets the request for proposal's strict requirement of being a "local" paper before the board officially awards the contract.
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