High juvenile housing costs strain jail budget

County recoups funds for holiday inmate housing

New evidence storage adds to law enforcement costs

Zoning department clears unpermitted building violations

Commission approves road oil bids amid pricing confusion

Local bridge project faces potential change orders

High juvenile housing costs strain jail budget

MCPHERSON, Kan. — The county jail population currently sits at 58 inmates, but housing juvenile offenders remains a significant expense for taxpayers. During the April 6 meeting, a report indicated the county spent $14,676 solely on juvenile housing. The adult jail population currently consists of 52 males and six females, with 57 of the inmates being held for district court and one for municipal court.

County recoups funds for holiday inmate housing

MCPHERSON, Kan. — The county will receive $5,830 from a neighboring county for assisting with inmate housing over the Christmas holiday. The reimbursement covers 126 inmate days, averaging 4.5 inmates housed per day. Jail officials noted the transfer of inmates helps manage facility capacity and offset operational costs.

New evidence storage adds to law enforcement costs

MCPHERSON, Kan. — Securing a vehicle held in criminal evidence will cost the county an additional $2,700 annually in storage unit fees. The high price of the newly acquired rental unit was discussed at the meeting, with an acknowledgment of the financial burden but also the legal necessity of maintaining an environmentally secure and locked location for the vehicle.

Zoning department clears unpermitted building violations

MCPHERSON, Kan. — The county planning, zoning and environment office processed over $1 million in total valuation and collected $21,000 in fees during March. The department administrator reported that the office cleared four major unpermitted building violations valued at $582,250. The administrator noted that the office traveled nearly 1,700 miles in March to actively track down unpermitted construction projects.

Commission approves road oil bids amid pricing confusion

MCPHERSON, Kan. — Material bids for 2026 road maintenance were approved, awarding oil contracts to an oil supplier and a freight contract to a freight vendor after substantial debate over delivery pricing. After widespread confusion over whether the $1.07 freight rate was measured per ton or per gallon, the rate was finally clarified and approved at $1.07 per 100 pounds. Despite a 7 percent to 18 percent increase in tack, asphalt and chip seal oil prices compared to last year, public works officials noted that the rates are similar to 2023 prices and will not force a reduction in planned roadwork miles.

Local bridge project faces potential change orders

MCPHERSON, Kan. — Construction on the nearly $1 million local bridge project on a county road is officially underway, with an initial $44,564 payment approved for the project contractor. While the project is progressing, crews recently struck buried concrete rubble beneath the creek bed that is preventing the driving of support piles. The discovery will likely require a future change order, though officials remain hopeful the road will still reopen to traffic in September.

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