Voters approve both USD 418 bond propositions in special election

Commission reviews proposed changes to zoning and sanitation fees

McPherson County Building renovation reaches 89 percent completion

Commission approves nearly $80,000 for Public Works equipment

Contract awarded for Groveland bridge inspection services

Longtime Public Works employee honored for nearly half-century of service

County upgrades mapping technology with $74,800 GIS license

Health Department highlights low-cost lab-testing program success in annual report

Voters approve both USD 418 bond propositions in special election

MCPHERSON COUNTY, Kan. - Final results of the Unified School District 418 (USD 418) special election showed a 36 percent voter turnout with 3,691 ballots cast out of a potential 10,150. Both propositions passed, with Proposition 1 receiving 2,341 "yes" votes to 1,330 "no" votes, and Proposition 2 receiving 2,223 "yes" votes to 1,451 "no" votes. Social media complaints regarding election integrity were addressed, with confirmation that all state-mandated audits and machine tests were conducted properly, and the final results were formally accepted.

Commission reviews proposed changes to zoning and sanitation fees

MCPHERSON COUNTY, Kan. - Planning, Zoning and Environment Administrator Jon Kinsey presented proposed updates to the county's fee schedule, emphasizing clarification over major price shifts. The proposal, developed after discussions with local realtors and the planning board, includes provisions for refunding sanitation permits if work is abandoned and establishes a double penalty fee for unpermitted structures built between 2007 and 2022. Kinsey was directed to draft a formal resolution for the new fee structure and requested to provide a side-by-side comparison with the previous regulations before a final vote is taken.

McPherson County Building renovation reaches 89 percent completion

MCPHERSON COUNTY, Kan. - The McPherson County Building renovation project is nearing the finish line, currently standing at 89 percent complete, according to a recent project update. Recent progress includes the installation of furniture, countertops, exterior doors and a new water leak detection system, with power washing of the building's exterior slated to take about a month. Final touches, including courtyard turf installation and decisions regarding the placement of the county seal, are expected to be completed in late April.

Commission approves nearly $80,000 for Public Works equipment

MCPHERSON COUNTY, Kan. - Three major equipment and maintenance purchases for the Public Works Department totaling almost $80,000 were approved. The expenditures include $36,000 for a used steel belly end dump trailer from Bruckner Truck and Trailer, $23,416 to replace a 30-year-old main fuel system computer through a fuel-system vendor and $20,794 for replacement conveyor chains and drive components for the county's Caterpillar asphalt paver. Public works officials noted the new fuel system will feature a modern color touchscreen and ensure reliable fueling operations for county vehicles.

Contract awarded for Groveland bridge inspection services

MCPHERSON COUNTY, Kan. - A contract not to exceed $79,409.80 with Earles Engineering & Inspection, Inc. for part-time resident inspection services on the bridge replacement project west of Groveland was approved. Project Engineer Elizabeth Hopp noted that initial bids came in over budget, prompting the county to negotiate a reduced scope of services where county employees will assist with non-critical monitoring to lower the firm's billable hours. The bridge project is expected to take up to seven months to complete, with road closures beginning immediately.

Longtime Public Works employee honored for nearly half-century of service

MCPHERSON COUNTY, Kan. - A formal proclamation was issued honoring Ron Unruh, who is retiring after 49.5 years with the county's Public Works Department. Unruh, who began his service in October 1976, served as a certified bridge inspector and maintained the county's database of 1,690 structures, ensuring the safety of the traveling public for decades. His extraordinary dedication was praised, as it is exceptionally rare for an employee to spend nearly half a century with a single employer.

County upgrades mapping technology with $74,800 GIS license

MCPHERSON COUNTY, Kan. - The purchase of an enterprise perpetual license for the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) mapping software was approved, aiming to centralize data across all county departments. The agreement includes a $74,800 upfront cost for the first year, which covers the server, implementation by ProWest and Associates and software access for up to 250 users, followed by a locked-in $6,200 annual maintenance fee. GIS and Mapping Director Derek Moos noted the new system will improve public-facing maps and allow for future data-sharing collaborations with the city of McPherson.

Health Department highlights low-cost lab-testing program success in annual report

MCPHERSON COUNTY, Kan. - McPherson County Health Department Director Shalei Shea presented the agency's 2025 annual report covering last year's activity, highlighting the growth of a low-cost lab-testing program offering cash-price lab work for uninsured or underinsured residents. The program allows citizens to receive basic blood work for as little as $7, plus a $10 collection fee, bypassing high insurance deductibles. Shea also noted that the department achieved a record 93.9 percent insurance claim payment rate and reported a decrease in overall clinic appointments but an increase in Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program participation.

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