Commission reviews proposed four-way stops near Moundridge

Federal review delays 'Safe Streets for All' safety grant

Failing 29th Avenue bridge closed after movement detected

Soil issues stall Comanche Road bridge replacement project

Commission approves safety repairs for public works backhoe

Sheriff's office announces jail staff promotions and hires

New county attorney's office employee approved for diversion/clerk role

Register of deeds promotes clerk to expand passport services

Commission approves routine payroll and behavioral health expenditures

1. Commission reviews proposed four-way stops near Moundridge

MCPHERSON COUNTY, Kan. - The McPherson County Board of Commissioners reviewed a draft TEAP study by the Kansas Department of Transportation recommending the installation of four-way stops at the intersections of Old Highway 81, Arrowhead Road and 22nd Avenue near Moundridge. The draft study, prompted by community safety concerns, found that vehicles are traveling at an 85th-percentile speed of 59 mph in a 45 mph zone. Engineer Elizabeth Hopp recommended the new stop signs and potential rumble strips to improve the intersection's safety rating, noting that the highest volume of traffic currently comes from the cross streets rather than the highway.

2. Federal review delays 'Safe Streets for All' safety grant

MCPHERSON COUNTY, Kan. - McPherson County is still waiting on final federal approval for its "Safe Streets for All" grant, which includes $284,000 earmarked for temporary traffic safety demonstration plans in participating cities. A Federal Highway Administration representative informed the county that the agreement remains under a "tedious" legal review at the headquarters level. Once approved, the funds will be used for non-permanent safety enhancements recommended by a local coalition, such as pavement markings in Moundridge and potted plant traffic calmers in Lindsborg.

3. Failing 29th Avenue bridge closed after movement detected

MCPHERSON COUNTY, Kan. - County officials have indefinitely closed a bridge north of Canton on 29th Avenue between Overland and Navajo roads after inspections revealed the structure felt "spongy" and moved under traffic. Engineer Elizabeth Hopp noted the site is currently the county's worst-conditioned bridge and is already slated for an off-system bridge replacement grant. Because temporary barricades have reportedly been moved to allow vehicles to cross the unsafe structure, the county plans to install permanent barriers pending a long-term, $1 million replacement.

4. Soil issues stall Comanche Road bridge replacement project

MCPHERSON COUNTY, Kan. - Construction on the Comanche Road bridge replacement project near Groveland has hit a snag after a pile driving analysis failed to find proper structural bearing in the sandy soils. Engineer Elizabeth Hopp reported that engineers will need to review soil tests and redesign the supports, which may require adding more or deeper pilings to the foundation to compensate for the lack of bedrock. The commissioners acknowledged a forthcoming change order to cover the additional materials and testing, with preliminary estimates suggesting an added cost of roughly $16,000.

5. Commission approves safety repairs for public works backhoe

MCPHERSON COUNTY, Kan. - The board of commissioners unanimously approved a $3,899.17 repair for an 18-year-old public works Caterpillar backhoe. Fleet Maintenance Foreman Mike Evans reported that the machine's swing arm frame suffered severe damage when a top pin worked its way down, spreading the metal framework. Citing the critical safety nature of the hardened metal part, the county opted to purchase an original equipment replacement directly from Foley CAT rather than using aftermarket alternatives to prevent potential workplace injuries.

6. Sheriff's office announces jail staff promotions and hires

MCPHERSON COUNTY, Kan. - The county commission approved several personnel changes for the McPherson County jail. A jail employee was promoted to sergeant following excellent evaluations, and a sheriff's deputy was advanced after positive performance reviews. Additionally, the board approved the hiring of a new jail employee to fill a vacant position on the facility's evening shift, with a start date set for late April. Specific names for these personnel changes were withheld pending the official public release of the meeting's finalized personnel records.

7. New county attorney's office employee approved for diversion/clerk role

MCPHERSON COUNTY, Kan. - County commissioners unanimously approved the hiring of a new employee to serve as a diversion coordinator and trial clerk for the McPherson County Attorney's Office. The employee will fill a vacancy left by a recent resignation within the department. The personnel change will officially take effect on April 20, 2026, ensuring the office maintains its necessary support staff for ongoing legal caseloads. The new hire's name was withheld pending official release by the county human resources department.

8. Register of deeds promotes clerk to expand passport services

MCPHERSON COUNTY, Kan. - The McPherson County Register of Deeds office promoted an employee from a Clerk I to a Clerk II position, effective April 26, 2026. The employee recently passed her official passport certification test, allowing the county office to expand its capacity to process passport applications for local residents. The promoted employee's name was withheld from public materials pending official departmental release.

9. Commission approves routine payroll and behavioral health expenditures

MCPHERSON COUNTY, Kan. - In routine financial business, the board of commissioners approved the county's accounts payable, encumbrances and payroll for the week. Among the approved expenditures were standard equipment purchases for county laptops and regular client incentives for the Adult Behavioral Health program. The behavioral health incentives, which range from $150 to $200, are distributed quarterly or biannually to clients who successfully meet their assessment and program compliance goals.

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