Upcoming municipal meetings

MCPHERSON, Kan. — The McPherson City Commission will consider financing a new $2.25 million fire truck and finalizing plans for the city's 113th annual All Schools Day celebration during its upcoming meeting on Tuesday, March 3. Highlighting the agenda, commissioners will vote on a resolution to issue $1.78 million in temporary notes to help purchase a Pierce Enforcer aerial platform ladder truck, a much-needed public safety upgrade that includes replacing 20-year-old ancillary firefighting tools. The board will also review street closures, noise extensions, and a special alcohol permit for the historic All Schools Day festival—a major local tradition dating back to 1914 that celebrates education in the county—including the "ASD After Dark" concert scheduled for May 8 at Wall Park. In other business, the commission is slated to approve roughly $109,000 in start-up and operational costs for the 2026 water park season and authorize a permanent premise application to begin selling liquor and wine at Turkey Creek Golf Course.

Additional preparations for McPherson's historic All Schools Day highlight the City Commission's upcoming Tuesday study session agenda, alongside key public safety purchases and an update on local education initiatives. Commissioners will consider approving up to $8,500 for a tax-exempt fireworks purchase and a $1,500 contract for the country-rock band Hyway 14 for the May 8 celebration. Beyond the upcoming festivities, the commission will review a nearly $16,000 annual ammunition purchase for the police department to maintain state certifications and a $17,400 expenditure for four 40-foot shipping containers to construct a fire and rescue training prop behind Fire Station No. 2. Rounding out the meeting, administrators will discuss a memorandum of understanding regarding reserve funds for SME PRIME—a manufacturing education partnership recently introduced to the McPherson USD 418 school board—while also addressing the creation of a seasonal water park manager position, street light repair reimbursements, and updates to the city's record retention policy.

The McPherson County Board of Commissioners is set to meet Monday to take up several Public Works items, including the purchase of pipes for the 2026 Culvert Replacement Program at six locations across the county and an equipment purchase request from Shop Foreman Mike Evans. Public Works Director David Bohnenblust will present the requests, along with two non-elected personnel items, during the meeting at the department's facility at 1115 W. Avenue A — the commission's regular meeting site since relocating from the County Building at 122 W. Marlin St. in January 2025. The agenda also includes a monthly update from Planning, Zoning and Environment Administrator Jon Kinsey and routine business such as approval of minutes, checks and claims, payroll and adds and abates, with time reserved for public input beginning at 9 a.m.

The McPherson Planning Commission will consider a variety of new development and zoning requests at its meeting Tuesday, including a contested variance for a residential garage and a site plan for a new multi-tenant commercial building. The commission, which meets at 7 p.m. at the Municipal Center, is scheduled to review a variance request from Shawn Buckbee for a property at 909 Turkey Creek Drive. Buckbee is seeking to reduce the front yard setback from 20 feet to 10 feet to construct a garage with a bedroom, but city staff has recommended denying the request, citing a lack of unique hardship and potential safety concerns for the adjacent sidewalk. In other business, the commission will consider a site plan for Two Little Birds LR LLC to construct a new building featuring a leasing office, retail space and warehouse facilities. Commissioners will also vote on a conditional use permit for Ad Astra to install an electronic messaging board at 2074 E. Kansas Ave., and a permit for a metal residential structure at 903 Canadian Drive.

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