County offices to close for relocation to remodeled building

Commission approves security upgrades for election storage

First EMS sales tax disbursement expected in late June

Prairie View requests budget increase for mental health services

County approves $10,000 for Galva road milling project

County denied three state bridge grants

County pays $9,500 to house overflow inmates in Rice County

Commission approves capacity expansion for adult care home

1. County offices to close for relocation to remodeled building

MCPHERSON COUNTY, Kan. — The McPherson County clerk and treasurer offices are temporarily closing to facilitate a move to the newly remodeled McPherson County Building. The county commission unanimously approved the closures at its recent meeting, with the clerk's office shutting down starting Wednesday, June 10, through Friday, June 12, and the treasurer and motor vehicle offices closing from June 15 through June 19. While walk-in business will be suspended during these periods, the motor vehicle office will continue to process mail-in transactions as staff transition to the new facility.

2. Commission approves security upgrades for election storage

MCPHERSON COUNTY, Kan. — Commissioners approved a $5,765 change order to install security cameras and an electronic card reader in the county clerk's new ballot storage rooms. The installation, which covers designated ballot storage rooms and an access-controlled entry in the new McPherson County Building, is necessary to maintain a secure chain of custody for election equipment and ballots. The project will be fully funded by grant proceeds rather than local tax dollars.

3. First EMS sales tax disbursement expected in late June

MCPHERSON COUNTY, Kan. — McPherson County hospitals received $334,000 in local sales tax disbursements this month, and local ambulance services will soon see matching revenues. The county's new half-cent Emergency Medical Services sales tax went into effect on April 1, mirroring the existing half-cent hospital tax. The first disbursement of EMS funds, expected to total roughly $334,000, will be distributed to the county by the state at the end of June.

4. Prairie View requests budget increase for mental health services

MCPHERSON COUNTY, Kan. — Prairie View presented its 2027 budget request to the commission, asking for $252,000, a 5% increase over last year's allocation. President and CEO Marcy Johnson reported a 12% increase in McPherson County patients, totaling 1,451 residents served. Johnson highlighted the organization's urgent care unit, which successfully diverted 97% of its 457 admissions from local emergency rooms, and introduced a new, currently unfunded program offering free therapy and case management specifically for local farmers and ranchers facing high suicide risks.

5. County approves $10,000 for Galva road milling project

MCPHERSON COUNTY, Kan. — The commission approved a $10,000 invoice to Weber Road Solutions of Salina for additional road milling work on Main Street and First Avenue within the Galva city limits. The McPherson County Public Works Department coordinated the extra work at the direct request of the city of Galva. The county will pay the contractor's invoice upfront and subsequently bill the city to reimburse half the cost of the project.

6. County denied three state bridge grants

MCPHERSON COUNTY, Kan. — McPherson County's recent applications for three state bridge grants were rejected, Public Works Director Dave Bohnenblust reported. Despite the state denials, the county still retains one unused grant for an upcoming bridge replacement project near Fifth Avenue. In the meantime, county road crews are shifting their focus to summer overlay projects, beginning with 319th Avenue and 18th Avenue.

7. County pays $9,500 to house overflow inmates in Rice County

MCPHERSON COUNTY, Kan. — Due to ongoing space limitations at the McPherson County Jail, the commission reviewed a $9,500 payment to Rice County for housing local inmates for 190 inmate-days. Jail officials reported during the meeting that the local facility currently holds 47 adult inmates, including 40 men and seven women, while juveniles are being held in regional detention facilities. The county has historically relied on neighboring facilities, including Rice County and Dickinson County, to handle prisoner overflow when the local jail reaches maximum capacity.

8. Commission approves capacity expansion for adult care home

MCPHERSON COUNTY, Kan. — McPherson County commissioners approved a resolution allowing Heartland Haven Home Plus at 1345 Cherokee Road to double its capacity. The conditional use permit amendment allows the facility, which was previously limited to eight residents under older state statutes, to house up to 16 individuals pending state licensure. To accommodate the expansion, the property's prospective new owners will be required to install a second wastewater lagoon to meet local sanitation and setback requirements.

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