Seward County Commissioners Summary
Week of October 20, 2026
Commission delays action on wind farm advisory vote
Treasurer's office to launch online property tax payment portal
County opts for outside tree grinding service, saving over $1 million
Seward County adopts first disaster recovery plan in years
Advance voting kicks off with high turnout in Seward County
County sees drastic drop in workers' compensation losses
Commission approves software upgrades for 911 call-taking
Health department secures new vaccine storage freezer
Commission delays action on wind farm advisory vote
SEWARD COUNTY, Kan. — The Seward County Commission delayed a decision on whether to hold a nonbinding public advisory vote regarding commercial wind farming during its Monday meeting. Commissioners agreed that a draft of the heavily negotiated conditional use permit should be released to the public for review before moving forward with any ballot question. Proponents of the advisory vote argued it would gauge community sentiment — similar to a 1997 vote on commercial hog farming — but commissioners opted to wait until the permit terms are transparent before officially bringing the issue to the ballot box.
Treasurer's office to launch online property tax payment portal
SEWARD COUNTY, Kan. — The Seward County Treasurer's Office will launch a new online payment portal on Oct. 30, just ahead of the new property tax year beginning Nov. 1. The portal will allow taxpayers to view their balances and pay current, delinquent and personal property taxes electronically using various methods, including e-checks. Seward County Treasurer Mary Rose warned taxpayers they may experience slight processing delays as staff adjusts to the system, but noted the upgrade is a long-awaited modernization that will make government services more accessible and convenient for the community.
County opts for outside tree grinding service, saving over $1 million
SEWARD COUNTY, Kan. — The Seward County Commission unanimously approved a contract with Hansen Tree Service, not to exceed $34,500, to process trees and mulch at the Seward County Landfill. Landfill officials recommended hiring Hansen Tree Service for a two-day annual service rather than purchasing a new commercial tree grinder, which carries an estimated $1 million upfront cost. Officials noted that it would take roughly 37 years of the service's annual cost to equal the price of purchasing a new machine, excluding additional expenses for maintenance, insurance and fuel.
Seward County adopts first disaster recovery plan in years
SEWARD COUNTY, Kan. — Emergency Management Director David Turner presented the 2026 Seward County Disaster Recovery Plan, which the Seward County Commission unanimously approved and signed. Officials noted the county previously did not have an active disaster recovery document on file. The newly drafted plan outlines procedures for continuity and recovery following major emergencies, addressing a critical gap in the county's emergency preparedness protocols.
Advance voting kicks off with high turnout in Seward County
SEWARD COUNTY, Kan. — Advance voting for the Nov. 3 general election began with unusually high turnout in Seward County, with over 110 voters casting their ballots on the first day alone. Commissioners noted that the single-day total surpassed the entire first week of early voting during the previous primary election. To accommodate the surge, voting will be available at the Seward County Administration Building, 515 N. Washington Ave. in Liberal, with additional Saturday hours scheduled from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. to help college students and working residents participate.
County sees drastic drop in workers' compensation losses
SEWARD COUNTY, Kan. — Seward County has recorded an 84.2% decrease in workers' compensation run losses for the current year compared to the previous cycle. Human Resources Director Angela Johnston reported the run loss dropped by over $181,000, bringing the current total to roughly $33,935. Officials credited the significant financial improvement to a renewed, active focus on safety by department heads and staff throughout county operations.
Commission approves software upgrades for 911 call-taking
SEWARD COUNTY, Kan. — The Seward County Commission unanimously approved a $28,397.68 purchase from the county's 911 fund for call-taking and training software licenses. Though the expense was unexpectedly omitted from the upcoming 2026 and 2027 budgets, the licenses are a required purchase for the Seward County Communications Department's operations. The one-time purchase will keep the dispatch system fully licensed and compliant until the county's servers undergo a scheduled update in 2028.
Health department secures new vaccine storage freezer
SEWARD COUNTY, Kan. — The Seward County Commission authorized the Health Department to purchase a new laboratory freezer for $7,532.41, splitting the cost between capital outlay and miscellaneous funds. The department requested the replacement after experiencing maintenance issues and expensive part replacements with an older, closed-system unit purchased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Commissioners also waived the single-source purchase policy and authorized the immediate disposal of the broken 500-pound unit.
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