McPherson County Commission Summary
Week of June 16, 2026
Commission approves tax abatement for $57 million Viega expansion amid resident concerns
Alarming well water decline prompts county outreach to groundwater management district
County declares local disaster emergency following severe June 8 storms
Safe Streets for All grant contract approved to improve county roadway safety
Unplanned emergency replacement approved for deteriorating structure on Moccasin Road
McPherson County jail population stabilizes at 47 inmates
Commission approves tax abatement for $57 million Viega expansion amid resident concerns
MCPHERSON COUNTY, Kan. — The McPherson County Commission provisionally approved a 10-year property tax abatement for a $57 million expansion of Viega's manufacturing facility. The expansion will add 40,000 square feet for raw material storage and is expected to create 40 new jobs over the next four years. During the meeting, there were some local residents opposed the abatement, objecting to giving tax abatements to existing businesses. Despite the opposition, the commission moved forward with the application, citing an estimated $32 million in new personal income for the county over the next decade.
Alarming well water decline prompts county outreach to groundwater management district
MCPHERSON COUNTY, Kan. — McPherson County well water levels have dropped between 8.5 and 10 feet over the past decade, prompting action from the county's planning, zoning and environment administrator, Jon Kinsey. Kinsey presented data showing that McPherson County's groundwater decline is substantially steeper than that of neighboring counties. The commission unanimously supported Kinsey's plan to present the concerning public well-water data to the Equus Beds Groundwater Management District 2 board, which is mandated by statute to formally address regional water issues by July 1.
County declares local disaster emergency following severe June 8 storms
MCPHERSON COUNTY, Kan. — Commissioners approved a state of local disaster emergency for McPherson County in response to severe winds and thunderstorms that struck the area on June 8. Tim Hawkinson, assistant director of McPherson County Emergency Management and Communications, reported that the town of Marquette suffered widespread damage and was without power for days, forcing Riverview Estates to operate on generators. The emergency proclamation will remain in effect for 14 days, allowing the county to coordinate relief efforts and submit disaster assessment data to the state.
Safe Streets for All grant contract approved to improve county roadway safety
MCPHERSON COUNTY, Kan. — The commission approved a Safe Streets for All contract with the U.S. Department of Transportation to develop a comprehensive safety action plan for all county and city roads. The initiative is 100 percent funded by the Kansas Department of Transportation and the federal government and includes a $275,000 allocation for non-permanent demonstration projects, such as pavement markings or temporary planters, to test safety improvements. Public Works Project Engineer Elizabeth Hopp noted the department will now advertise for a consultant and form a local coalition to lead the project over the next two and a half years.
Unplanned emergency replacement approved for deteriorating structure on Moccasin Road
MCPHERSON COUNTY, Kan. — The public works department received emergency approval to replace a rapidly deteriorating, 80-year-old road structure on Moccasin Road between 11th and 12th avenues. The concrete box culvert has been on the county's replacement plan since 2021 but required immediate action after showing significant signs of failure and surface road damage. Although it was an unplanned expense for the current budget year, commissioners agreed the high-traffic area required an immediate concrete replacement, adding an estimated 20 percent in associated costs to the project.
McPherson County jail population stabilizes at 47 inmates
MCPHERSON COUNTY, Kan. — The McPherson County Jail reported a current inmate population of 47, a number officials noted is a significant improvement over past overcrowding issues. The population includes 41 males and six females, with 45 individuals currently being held for district court. Officials also noted the county recently paid costs associated with housing juvenile inmates at out-of-county facilities, an expense that will cease as an individual was transferred into adult custody locally.
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