McPherson health officer questions process behind infrasound proposal
Shea says she has taken no position on the measure Kinsey presented to commissioners and calls for more evidence and public input.
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Sign up freeMCPHERSON, Kan. — McPherson County Health Department Director and Health Officer Shalei Shea said Tuesday she has not taken a position on a proposed infrasound resolution. She called for clarification of departmental roles and the authority for bringing the measure before commissioners acting as the Board of Health. “I think it’s important to clarify that, at this time, I have not taken a position either for or against the proposed infrasound resolution,” Shea said in an emailed statement on behalf of the department.
Her comments followed Monday’s presentation by Jon Kinsey, the county’s planning, zoning and environment director. Kinsey told commissioners he was addressing them as the Board of Health and that the proposal was not coming from planning and zoning, saying he was presenting because Shea had a scheduling conflict. The meeting agenda listed the item under his planning title, while the draft resolution cited the commissioners’ home-rule authority. Citizen Journal previously reported those details.
Shea acknowledged that Kansas law establishes the county commissioners as the county Board of Health but said questions remain about the process and authority for initiating a matter before them in that capacity. She said Kinsey’s responsibilities also involve environmental and public health issues, “which makes it especially important we define our roles and the appropriate process moving forward.”
Shea said Kinsey first made her aware of a potential infrasound resolution in May, when she also learned of discussions surrounding data centers. She said the data-center issue subsequently proceeded through its own public process and vote. “I believe there is a great need for additional discussion and information before moving forward with any infrasound resolution,” she said, calling for credible evidence and participation from residents, industry, county officials and subject-matter experts.
The proposed resolution would regulate infrasound and low-frequency sound in unincorporated McPherson County. McPherson Board of Public Utilities General Manager Josh Bedel told commissioners Monday that the proposed limits would prevent expansion of the utility’s Power Plant 3 site and raise electric rates. He also said existing industries could not meet the standards. Commissioners took no vote and set no date for reconsideration, with all three calling for more time and input from acoustic experts.
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