Board of Public Utilities details downtown outage damage

Viega expansion underway following 10-year county tax abatement

High school manufacturing program secures $200,000 grant

City approves $56,400 for water park lazy river repairs

Commission approves design contract for East Cemetery addition

City hires search firm to fill wastewater treatment position

Public Works tackles chronic flooding on South Lakeside Drive

Fire chief appointed to state code and memorial boards

Board of Public Utilities details downtown outage damage

MCPHERSON, Kan. — The McPherson Board of Public Utilities reported equipment damage following a major downtown power outage on Aug. 6. General Manager Josh Bedel told the city commission that a primary underground lateral feed failed, requiring the replacement of 1,600 feet of primary cable. In response, the utility has added additional cable testing to its predictive maintenance routines and is reviewing its protection schemes to better isolate future faults and prevent large-scale outages.

Viega expansion underway following 10-year county tax abatement

MCPHERSON, Kan. — Construction on the Viega LLC manufacturing expansion has officially begun after the McPherson County Commission approved a 10-year property tax abatement for the project. McPherson Industrial Development Company Executive Director Kasi Morales updated the city commission on the expansion, noting that shovels are in the ground for the highly anticipated development. According to Morales, property tax abatement paperwork for a separate Bradbury Co. Inc. expansion has also been finalized and submitted to the county, signaling continued industrial growth in the region.

High school manufacturing program secures $200,000 grant

MCPHERSON, Kan. — A new manufacturing and career technical education program at McPherson Unified School District 418 is moving forward after securing a final $200,000 via a Patterson Family Foundation grant. The Society of Manufacturing Engineers PRIME program will introduce a "plug-and-play" curriculum to local high school students. The McPherson Industrial Development Company reported that teachers will begin curriculum development and training in the spring, with a full program launch slated for the fall of 2027.

City approves $56,400 for water park lazy river repairs

MCPHERSON, Kan. — The city commission unanimously approved a $56,400 contract for repairs to the McPherson Water Park's lazy river. The project will include surface preparation, crack repair, epoxy coating and the application of a non-skid surface. Public Lands and Facilities Director Wayne Burns noted the city received four quotes for the project, which is scheduled for completion by Sept. 30, 2026.

Commission approves design contract for East Cemetery addition

MCPHERSON, Kan. — To ensure future burial space for the community, the city commission approved a $43,450 engineering and design contract with Schwab-Eaton for the East Cemetery addition. Public Lands and Facilities Director Wayne Burns stated the project was open for bidding for 30 days, but Schwab-Eaton was the sole respondent. The addition aims to support McPherson's long-term cemetery needs.

City hires search firm to fill wastewater treatment position

MCPHERSON, Kan. — Following prolonged difficulties in filling a key infrastructure role, the city commission approved spending $22,500 to hire nationwide recruiting firm CPR HR Consulting to find an assistant chief operator for the wastewater treatment facility. Public Works Director Eric Duerksen explained that local recruitment efforts have failed to gain traction, and the outside firm aims to fill the vacancy within 60 days. The cost of the search firm will be covered by salary savings generated from the position remaining vacant throughout the current budget year.

Public Works tackles chronic flooding on South Lakeside Drive

MCPHERSON, Kan. — A long-awaited infrastructure fix is underway on South Lakeside Drive to correct a low-lying section of the road prone to chronic flooding. Public Works Director Eric Duerksen announced that city street crews are currently installing a trickle channel to route standing water to a nearby creek. In addition to the drainage improvements, crews are replacing deteriorated asphalt with durable concrete, completing the work one lane at a time to ensure residents maintain access to their homes.

Fire chief appointed to state code and memorial boards

MCPHERSON, Kan. — Gov. Laura Kelly has appointed McPherson Fire Chief Chad Mayberry to two statewide committees, recognizing his expertise in fire services. City administration announced that Mayberry will serve on the Governor's Uniform Fire Code Task Force, as well as the Kansas Fallen Firefighter Memorial Board, which honors first responders who have died in the line of duty. Mayberry was absent from the meeting, as he was out of state inspecting a new fire engine currently being built for the city.

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