Seward County Commissioners Summary
Week of October 6, 2026
County administrator addresses federal immigration sweeps, denies local involvement
Commission adopts new public comment rules
County accepts bid for former health department lot
1. County administrator addresses federal immigration sweeps, denies local involvement
SEWARD COUNTY, Kan. — Following public comments regarding the fear caused by a recent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation in Liberal, Seward County Administrator April D. Warden clarified that local and state officials were not notified of the sweeps in advance. Warden said staff from U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran's office visited the area to discuss the operation's impact with the Liberal Police Department, the Seward County Sheriff's Office and county officials. Acknowledging that the reported federal use of the Cimarron Basin Community Corrections as a staging area caused community confusion, Warden announced the county will no longer permit federal agencies to utilize facilities near local law enforcement and judicial buildings to ensure safety and prevent disruption during protests.
2. Commission adopts new public comment rules
SEWARD COUNTY, Kan. — The board of county commissioners unanimously approved Resolution 2026-18, implementing new guidelines for public comments during meetings. Following a debate on how to handle disparaging remarks, the commission directed Seward County Counselor Forrest Rhodes to amend the resolution to prohibit personal attacks against all county employees and elected officials, expanding the original draft that only protected non-elected personnel. The new rules also restructure the meeting agenda, moving the public comment period to occur after the agenda is approved. This change allows the commission the option to vote to remove the comment period from specific meeting agendas if deemed necessary.
3. County accepts bid for former health department lot
SEWARD COUNTY, Kan. — The commission voted unanimously to sell a vacant county-owned lot located at 301 E. Fifth St. for $3,500. The property formerly housed a modular building used by the health department and the Red Cross, which was demolished several years ago. The county accepted the sealed bid following a public notice of intent to sell the property.
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