Harvey County Commission
Week of July 29, 2026
Election office updates ballot chain of custody protocol
Commission cancels meeting for primary election day
Health department reports cyclospora cases in Harvey County
County allows Sedgwick to proceed with housing reinvestment district
Hearing on short-term rental permit postponed
July sales tax collections show slight decrease
Bids opened for Harvey County Detention Center food program
Commission approves parks advisory board appointment
4-H ambassadors highlight upcoming Harvey County Fair
Election office updates ballot chain of custody protocol
HARVEY COUNTY, Kan. — The Harvey County election office has tightened its ballot security measures for the ongoing primary election. An elections staff member is now escorted by an armed sheriff's deputy each day to retrieve ballots from Newton Fire/EMS Station 3. The ballots are sealed in a bag with both the deputy and staff member signing off, then unsealed back at the election office to be added to the daily count. Election officials also reported 732 early voters as of Monday, slightly trailing the high turnout seen during the 2022 primary election, which featured a constitutional amendment on the ballot.
Commission cancels meeting for primary election day
HARVEY COUNTY, Kan. — The Harvey County Board of Commissioners will not hold its regular weekly meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 4, in order to accommodate the primary election. Commissioners urged residents to get out and vote, noting that the board will reconvene for normal county business the following week on Aug. 11.
Health department reports cyclospora cases in Harvey County
HARVEY COUNTY, Kan. — Harvey County currently has five confirmed cases of cyclospora, Harvey County Health Department Director Lynnette Redington reported to the commission. The parasitic illness, which causes intestinal distress, is currently being investigated by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. The director noted that the five local cases are unrelated to one another and that none of the affected individuals have required hospitalization.
County allows Sedgwick to proceed with housing reinvestment district
HARVEY COUNTY, Kan. — The board of commissioners opted not to object to a proposed Reinvestment Housing Incentive District (RHID) for a new city-owned housing development in Sedgwick, allowing the project to advance. Sedgwick City Administrator Kyle Nordick and Sedgwick Mayor Bryan Chapman presented the proposed housing development, which a proposal estimated would build 27 single-family homes priced around $450,000 on one-acre lots. Under the proposed 90/10 RHID structure, the city would shoulder approximately $4 million in infrastructure risk, utilizing 90 percent of the incremental property tax increases to pay down the debt over up to 25 years. While some commissioners expressed reservations about the government taking on financial risks typically handled by private developers, the board ultimately permitted the project to proceed to help address the area's ongoing housing shortage.
Hearing on short-term rental permit postponed
HARVEY COUNTY, Kan. — A scheduled hearing for a conditional use permit regarding a short-term rental property was delayed until mid-August. The applicant requested the postponement because they were unable to attend Tuesday's meeting. The commission agreed to push the item to the Aug. 11 agenda.
July sales tax collections show slight decrease
HARVEY COUNTY, Kan. — Harvey County saw a minor dip in sales and compensating use tax collections for July, though year-to-date figures remain historically strong. According to a county administration report, total July collections decreased by roughly $12,000, or 2.14 percent, compared to the same month last year. Harvey County's specific portion of those taxes was $279,475, a drop of about $5,500. Despite the monthly decline, year-to-date collections are up 5.73 percent over 2024 figures.
Bids opened for Harvey County Detention Center food program
HARVEY COUNTY, Kan. — The commission officially received three responses to a request for proposals to manage the Harvey County Detention Center's inmate food program. Bids were submitted by Summit Correctional Services, Consolidated Correctional Food Service, and Trinity Service Group. Jail staff will review the proposals, sample menus, and operational plans before returning to the commission with a final vendor recommendation in the coming weeks.
Commission approves parks advisory board appointment
HARVEY COUNTY, Kan. — Joshua Smith was unanimously appointed to the Harvey County Parks Advisory Board for a three-year term beginning Sept. 1. Harvey County Parks Director Kass Miller noted that the application was the first processed through the county's new GovBuilt online portal. The appointee recently met with the advisory board, which unanimously recommended the appointment to fill one of the two vacant spots on the 12-member board.
4-H ambassadors highlight upcoming Harvey County Fair
HARVEY COUNTY, Kan. — Local 4-H ambassadors formally invited the board of commissioners to attend the upcoming Harvey County Fair, emphasizing the life skills and leadership the program provides to local youth. Representatives from local 4-H clubs shared details of their personal fair projects, which range from interior design and photography to showing livestock and prairie hay. The commissioners were also invited to a new 4-H supporters social event scheduled to coincide with the livestock premium sale night.
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