McPherson County Commission Summary
Week of March 17, 2026
County approves satellite imagery tool to track property changes
County officials research data center development
Missing factory part blamed for $10,900 loader repair
Taxpayers footing the bill for horses held in animal cruelty case
Meadowlark Trail set for April grand opening
County approves satellite imagery tool to track property changes
MCPHERSON COUNTY, Kan. - The Board of County Commissioners approved a $7,380 quote from EagleView on Monday to utilize the company's ChangeFinder software. The tool compares high-resolution flyover images from 2018 to 2024 images to automatically identify structural changes and additions to properties. Planning, zoning and environment administrator Jon Kinsey noted the software found an average 22 percent change in square footage in unincorporated areas during its last run. The cost will be split evenly between the emergency management, appraiser and planning and zoning departments, potentially saving staff time on physical field inspections.
County officials research data center development
MCPHERSON COUNTY, Kan. - As data centers become an increasingly popular topic for local municipalities, county officials are taking steps to research their potential impacts and zoning regulations. Jon Kinsey reported that he and several board members recently attended informational seminars in Wichita and plan to collaborate with Harvey County to avoid duplicating research efforts. Following Monday's meeting, the Board of County Commissioners recessed to take a guided tour of the county data center.
Missing factory part blamed for $10,900 loader repair
MCPHERSON COUNTY, Kan. - A missing factory part is being blamed for a severe mechanical breakdown of a 2016 Caterpillar loader, costing the county nearly $11,000. Public works representatives explained that a tree branch was thrust into the machine's transmission area while crews were clearing a culvert, destroying the hydraulic drive motor. Mechanics subsequently discovered the loader was never equipped with a protective belly pan from the factory. The Board of County Commissioners approved a $10,944 repair quote from Foley Equipment, and the department has since purchased a belly pan to prevent future damage.
Taxpayers footing the bill for horses held in animal cruelty case
MCPHERSON COUNTY, Kan. - The county is currently paying $20 per day to feed and board four horses that are being held as live evidence in an ongoing animal cruelty case. The issue was raised during the review of accounts payable, where the Board of County Commissioners questioned the ongoing $5-per-horse daily expense. Officials noted the criminal case is currently in its middle stages, and the county has already been feeding the animals for a month. The board expressed intent to recoup the expenses from the individual charged in the case once the case officially concludes.
Meadowlark Trail set for April grand opening
MCPHERSON COUNTY, Kan. - The long-awaited Meadowlark Trail is now fully open, establishing a 12.4-mile connection between McPherson and Lindsborg. A Central Kansas Conservancy representative invited the Board of County Commissioners to the trail's official grand opening ceremony, scheduled for April 25 on Quivira Road. The completion marks a significant milestone for the regional trail project, which has been under active development for several years.
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