County approves first-of-its-kind private recreational airstrip

County building renovation reaches 96 percent completion

County jail population remains high

Buried rubble found during county bridge replacement

Dry weather aids bridge construction

Public works implements $2,000 fee for culvert installations

County approves $257,600 aerial mapping contract

Online real estate tax payments to launch in April

County approves first-of-its-kind private recreational airstrip

MCPHERSON COUNTY, Kan. - A special use permit was unanimously approved for a private grass runway located along Wheatridge Road. The 50-by-2,500-foot runway will cater to recreational bush pilots traveling cross-country, serving as a pack-in, pack-out resting spot. The identity of the applicant requesting the permit was not immediately available. Despite the site being located within two miles of the Smoky Hill Bombing Range, the Kansas Air National Guard approved the proximity. Although some neighbors submitted letters of concern after the planning board's review, the protest represented only 17.5 percent of the notification area, falling short of the 20 percent threshold needed to force a supermajority vote.

County building renovation reaches 96 percent completion

MCPHERSON COUNTY, Kan. - The ongoing renovation of the McPherson County Building is currently 96 percent complete, according to a recent project update. Major interior finishings, including flooring, ceiling grids and bathroom tiling, are finished, while exterior facade cleaning and courtyard installations are wrapping up. Furniture delivery, window tinting and parking lot striping are scheduled for mid-April, moving county staff one step closer to occupying the updated facility.

County jail population remains high

MCPHERSON COUNTY, Kan. - The McPherson County Jail is currently holding 62 inmates, a number officials noted is unlikely to decrease anytime soon. The population consists of 56 males and six females, two of whom are juveniles. Officials also noted that 55 of the 62 inmates are being held on behalf of an outside district, though the specific district was not named. Officials described the count as high for the week, indicating a continued strain on local holding capacity and resources.

Buried rubble found during county bridge replacement

MCPHERSON COUNTY, Kan. - Crews working on a county bridge replacement project encountered buried rubble below the channel level, which is temporarily interfering with new form installations. The specific location of the bridge replacement was not immediately disclosed. Public Works officials noted that burying debris was a common practice during older construction projects like the original 1967 wood-piling bridge. Despite the discovery, which may require a minor change order, the demolition phase is complete and work continues to progress.

Dry weather aids bridge construction

MCPHERSON COUNTY, Kan. - The ongoing dry weather is providing a silver lining for county infrastructure projects, particularly a second, separate county bridge replacement project. The specific location of this second bridge project was not immediately disclosed. Public Works officials reported that the old pilings have been successfully removed, and the lack of running water in the channel has kept the project ahead of schedule. Crews are preparing to install new forms, though officials noted that significant rainfall this week could temporarily slow the work.

Public works implements $2,000 fee for culvert installations

MCPHERSON COUNTY, Kan. - To combat a massive project backlog, the McPherson County Public Works Department will now charge a flat $2,000 fee to install driveway and field entrance culverts for property owners. The county installed 19 entrances for free last year, severely delaying scheduled county road work. Residents still have the option to obtain a free permit and hire a private contractor or perform the installation themselves, provided they pass county inspections and adhere to size requirements.

County approves $257,600 aerial mapping contract

MCPHERSON COUNTY, Kan. - The McPherson County Appraiser's Office secured a six-year, $257,600 contract with EagleView, an aerial imagery vendor, to provide high-resolution aerial photography in 2027 and 2030. The "pictometry" technology includes a new feature that automatically detects new or removed structures, saving significant staff time in the field by eliminating the need for manual property measurements. The software is widely used by the appraiser's office, 911 dispatch and local public works departments.

Online real estate tax payments to launch in April

MCPHERSON COUNTY, Kan. - Paying property taxes is about to get easier for residents. Information technology coordinator Jeff Butler announced that the county's new PayIt payment processing system will go live on the county website on April 1. The portal will allow taxpayers to pay current real estate taxes online. Officials said delinquent-tax payments and payoff procedures would continue to require separate steps through the McPherson County Treasurer's Office. The system is already successfully operating in the Treasurer's and County Attorney's offices, with the County Health Department scheduled to come online soon.

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