Seward County Commissioners Summary
Week of July 21, 2026
Commissioners trade barbs over recalls and professional conduct
New emergency management director hired
Rural fire department secures higher starting wages
Commission approves treasurer's office pay scale realignment
County prepares for delinquent property tax sale
Stepping Stone Shelter awarded $22,600 in opioid settlement funds
Massoni Bridge replacement project advances to state
Commissioners trade barbs over recalls and professional conduct
SEWARD COUNTY, Kan. — Tensions boiled over during commissioner comments at the end of the meeting as members of the board traded criticism regarding recent county progress and a failed recall petition. Accusations were made regarding the origins of the recall effort, which were met with flat denials of involvement. The heated exchange highlighted ongoing divisions within the commission over recent county operations and political maneuverings.
New emergency management director hired
SEWARD COUNTY, Kan. — Following a 10-minute executive session, the board unanimously appointed a new emergency management director. The new director will start on July 26 with an annual salary of $72,000. To expedite onboarding, the commission also voted to waive the standard benefit waiting period typically required for new department heads.
Rural fire department secures higher starting wages
SEWARD COUNTY, Kan. — To improve recruitment and retention, the commission unanimously approved an updated starting wage scale for the rural fire department. The new pay structure sets the deputy chief's salary at $63,000 annually, while hourly wages will start at $20.25 for captains, $18.50 for lieutenants and $16 to $17 for firefighters. The department confirmed the wage bumps fall within current budget parameters and the projected 2027 budget.
Commission approves treasurer's office pay scale realignment
SEWARD COUNTY, Kan. — The commission unanimously approved a pay scale realignment for the treasurer's office, bumping starting wages to a range of $19 to $24 an hour to remain competitive with other county departments. Treasurer Mary Rose assured the board the raises will be funded entirely by the state-allocated treasurer's fund, meaning there will be no impact on local ad valorem taxes or the county's general fund. The pay adjustments will go into effect Aug. 3.
County prepares for delinquent property tax sale
SEWARD COUNTY, Kan. — The county will hold its next tax sale on July 31, with approximately 26 parcels slated for auction to recover delinquent property taxes. Ahead of the auction, Treasurer Mary Rose issued a strict warning to potential bidders, noting that purchasing a property does not grant immediate rights to evict current residents or alter the land. Buyers must wait until a sheriff's deed is officially in hand and the sale is confirmed by the court before taking physical control of the real estate.
Stepping Stone Shelter awarded $22,600 in opioid settlement funds
SEWARD COUNTY, Kan. — The Stepping Stone Shelter will receive $22,691.31 from the county's opioid settlement fund. A shelter representative stated the grant will fund a dedicated telehealth room to ease the burden on local mental health facilities and cover the cost of a full-time caseworker to coordinate wrap-around services for clients struggling with substance abuse. The allocation effectively empties the county's current opioid settlement balance until the next quarterly distribution arrives.
Massoni Bridge replacement project advances to state
SEWARD COUNTY, Kan. — The board unanimously approved a project programming request to the Kansas Department of Transportation, taking a critical step forward in the long-awaited replacement of the Massoni Bridge. County Administrator April Warden reported that the estimated project cost has increased from $2.9 million to roughly $3.03 million over the past two years. Filing the paperwork clarifies the local government's plan to build a completely new structure, ensuring the project remains eligible for federal funding.
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