McPherson – Week of May 21 2025

City Approves Guns for Fire Investigators in Split Vote Amid Training Concerns

Enterprise Pipeline Seeks to Dig Up Newly Paved Old Hwy 81; Commission Weighs Options

Report: McPherson Industry Strong, but Relocation Program Lacks Takers

New State Law Alters Personal Property Tax; County Restructures, Expects $60K Loss

County OKs Nearly $100K for New Filing Systems in Building Renovation

City Approves Guns for Fire Investigators in Split Vote Amid Training Concerns

A proposal to purchase six new Glock pistols and accessories for the Fire Department's certified fire investigators sparked considerable debate among city commissioners before passing on a 2-1 vote. The $5,293.04 expenditure is intended to replace three currently owned firearms and equip all six investigators with identical weapons. One commissioner voted against the measure, expressing concerns about the extent of de-escalation and negotiation training provided to the investigators who would carry the firearms. Fire Chief Mayberry and the Mayor countered that investigators undergo 80 hours of law enforcement training, 80 hours of fire investigation training, annual Kansas Commission on Peace Officers' Standards and Training (CPOST) and firearms qualifications, and that this training includes crisis management and de-escalation techniques. The Chief also clarified that firearms are typically secured in command vehicles or offices and only carried when heading to the range or during investigations, particularly those potentially criminal in nature, often in coordination with police.

City of McPherson

Enterprise Pipeline Seeks to Dig Up Newly Paved Old Hwy 81; Commission Weighs Options

Products Partners L.P. representatives approached the commission requesting permission to dig up a section of Old Highway 81, north of McPherson, to repair an anomaly found in their eight-inch natural gas pipeline. The road was recently resurfaced at significant county expense. Enterprise stated the dig would likely be two to three feet into the roadway and could take about five days, or potentially three if work is done 24/7. They offered to cover all repair costs and use county-preferred contractors or their own, adhering to county specifications, and even suggested using flowable fill to prevent settling. However, Public Works Director David Bohnenblust and commissioners expressed concerns about traffic disruption on the county's busiest commuter road, the precedent of digging up a newly paved road, and the long-term integrity of the patch, as such repairs often lead to settling. An alternative, boring under the road, was deemed significantly more expensive (an estimated $700,000 difference) and would require the pipeline to be shut down, impacting service to a wide area. The commission will provide a decision in two weeks.

McPherson County KS

Report: McPherson Industry Strong, but Relocation Program Lacks Takers

Kasi Morales of the McPherson Industrial Development Company (MIDC) presented an annual report showcasing the city's robust industrial base, which has seen over a billion dollars in capital investment and the creation of over 900 jobs in the past decade. McPherson consistently ranks as a top micropolitan area, outperforming national counterparts in job creation and boasting high average wages within Kansas. The report also announced that Hutchinson Community College will expand its industrial training offerings in McPherson, bolstering automotive and automation technology programs. Despite these strengths and a net influx of labor, Morales noted that the Relocation Cash Assistance Program (RCAP), which requires employer participation to provide housing incentives, was not utilized at all in the past year. Commissioners and Morales discussed the need to better promote this program to industries to encourage new residents.

City of McPherson

New State Law Alters Personal Property Tax; County Restructures, Expects $60K Loss

A new state bill will alter personal property tax collection, leading to a restructuring in the County Appraiser's office. County Appraiser Stacy Hubbard received approval to change a "Personal Property Specialist" job description to a "Field Appraiser" position, noting the previous role's responsibilities were largely eliminated by the bill. The bill will make items like trailers under 15,000 pounds and golf carts exempt from personal property tax, while aircraft will remain taxable, though most are already exempt as commercial or business property. This change is estimated to result in a loss of approximately $60,000 in personal property tax revenue for the county annually, not including losses to school districts, townships, and cities.

McPherson County KS

County OKs Nearly $100K for New Filing Systems in Building Renovation

The Commission approved the purchase of two new retriever vertical carousel filing systems, one for the Clerk's office and one for the Appraiser's office, to be installed in the new county building (the renovated bank building on Marlin). The system for the Appraiser's office will cost up to $50,277.35, and the one for the Clerk's office will cost up to $49,629.57. The new systems are replacing equipment from 1982 and are necessary as the new clerk's office space cannot accommodate the current spinning filing cabinets. The purchase includes a five-year warranty and a discount for buying both units together. Funding will come from the capital equipment fund for the new building.

McPherson County KS

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Sources

1. https://www.facebook.com/CityOfMcPhersonLocalGovernment/videos/1374358160351910
2. https://www.mcphersoncountyks.us/949/BOCC-Recent-Agendas-Minutes-and-Video
3. https://www.facebook.com/CityOfMcPhersonLocalGovernment/videos/1374358160351910
4. https://www.mcphersoncountyks.us/949/BOCC-Recent-Agendas-Minutes-and-Video
5. https://www.mcphersoncountyks.us/949/BOCC-Recent-Agendas-Minutes-and-Video

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