McPherson County Commission Summary
Week of October 13, 2026
Sheriff's office continues housing inmates in Rice County
Commissioners approve $30,000 contract for probation tracking app
Small businesses eligible for disaster loans following April storms
County receives $130,000 pipeline safety grant
Commission approves pre-construction agreement for courthouse renovations
Four-way stops coming to Old Highway 81 intersections in Moundridge
McPherson County Health Department employee named 2026 Sanitarian of the Year
Sheriff's office continues housing inmates in Rice County
MCPHERSON, Kan. — The McPherson County Sheriff's Office reported a total jail population of 55 inmates, comprising 47 males and eight females, during its weekly report to the McPherson County Board of County Commissioners. Because of capacity limits at the local facility, the county is currently housing 10 of those inmates at the Rice County Jail. The sheriff's office also reported 14 adult arrests and one juvenile arrest over the prior week.
Commissioners approve $30,000 contract for probation tracking app
MCPHERSON, Kan. — The McPherson County Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved a $30,000 annual contract with RePath to implement a tracking and documentation app on Harvey/McPherson Counties Community Corrections cell phones. The platform uses Global Positioning System to enforce exclusion zones for individuals on community corrections supervision, sends court date reminders, and uses artificial intelligence to summarize office visits into the Kansas Department of Corrections database. Officials said the software will help staff manage higher caseloads following a recent department retirement.
Small businesses eligible for disaster loans following April storms
MCPHERSON, Kan. — McPherson County small businesses that suffered economic damages during severe storms in neighboring Saline County on April 26 and 27 are eligible to apply for U.S. Small Business Administration disaster loans. Because McPherson is a contiguous county to the SBA disaster declaration area, local businesses qualify for the federal assistance. McPherson County Emergency Management officials noted that the loans cover pure economic losses rather than physical property damage. Affected business owners are encouraged to contact McPherson County Emergency Management to connect with a case manager.
County receives $130,000 pipeline safety grant
MCPHERSON, Kan. — McPherson County Emergency Management announced the county has received a $130,000 grant from the U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. The funds will be used to purchase gas monitors for all fire districts within the county, as well as specialized software and laptops to assist with training for local gas plants and CHS McPherson Refinery.
Commission approves pre-construction agreement for courthouse renovations
MCPHERSON, Kan. — The McPherson County Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved a pre-construction agreement with Fuqua Construction Inc. for an amount not to exceed $20,000 to plan renovations at the McPherson County Courthouse. The preliminary design process will target ongoing roof leaks near the building's turrets and explore interior remodels. The proposed layout changes are intended to allow the McPherson County Attorney's Office to permanently relocate to the courthouse, consolidating all court services into one building.
Four-way stops coming to Old Highway 81 intersections in Moundridge
MOUNDRIDGE, Kan. — McPherson County Public Works announced the installation of four-way stops at the Arrowhead Road and south intersections of Old Highway 81 in Moundridge, effective Oct. 20. The safety upgrades follow a July 2026 Kansas Department of Transportation traffic study prompted by a double fatality at the intersection in June 2025. According to traffic data, more vehicles travel east and west on Arrowhead Road than north and south on Old 81, requiring the change to the traffic flow.
McPherson County Health Department employee named 2026 Sanitarian of the Year
MCPHERSON, Kan. — McPherson County employee Carissa McCuen was recognized during the meeting as the 2026 Sanitarian of the Year, an award presented by the Kansas Environmental Health Association. McCuen was honored for her decade of service, with officials praising her dedication to ensuring residents have safe water and wastewater services and her ability to turn everyday situations into educational moments for citizens and staff.
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