County

MCPHERSON, Kan. — The McPherson County Commission will consider several significant expenditures during its meeting Monday, including equipment repairs and technology upgrades. According to the agenda, the Public Works Department will request $5,753.44 to replace the drivelines on a 1998 International semi-truck and will also seek to hire a temporary, part-time mower operator to finish the season. The commission will also review a request from the Maintenance Supervisor to purchase a new snowblower, with bids of $1,629 and $1,230, and a proposal from the Emergency Management department for replacement UPS batteries at a cost of $11,211.55. Other items on the agenda include a presentation from the IT Director on security appliance upgrades and the official vote canvass for the August 4 primary election by the County Clerk.

County Planning and Zoning

McPherson County's rewritten zoning code — the rulebook for what landowners can build on their property — was set to return to the planning board Monday, Aug. 17, with no regular meeting scheduled again until Oct. 12. The board was expected to take up proposed data center regulations, incorporating public feedback from its Aug. 10 hearing, and form a recommendation on the rules for county commissioners. On Aug. 5, the McPherson Board of Zoning Appeals held a public event to discuss the future of the county's data center moratorium, a restriction tied to the same regulatory rewrite. The meeting was set for 7 p.m. in the 4th floor Meeting Room of the McPherson County Building, 200 N. Maple St.

School Board

The McPherson Public Schools Board of Education was scheduled to meet in a special session at 8 a.m. Monday, Aug. 17, at 514 N. Main.

City

The McPherson City Commission will consider establishing a new fund for economic development and approving contracts worth nearly $100,000 at its meeting Tuesday morning. According to the agenda, the commission will vote on two ordinances that would create a special economic development fund and transfer money to it from the city's Board of Public Utilities (BPU). The BPU is a city-owned entity that provides electricity and water and boasts some of the lowest industrial electric rates in the nation. Also on the agenda are motions to approve a payment of up to $56,400 for painting and repairs to the Lazy River at the McPherson Water Park and a contract for up to $43,450 for the engineering and design of cemetery plots. Other items include a zoning change for a property on Highway 81 Bypass from heavy industrial to service business, the hiring of a consulting firm to recruit a key operator for the wastewater treatment facility, and the approval of several community event requests, including the United Way Party in the Park and the McPherson College Homecoming Cruise-In.

The McPherson City Commission will hold a study session on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, with an agenda that includes a variety of topics, from infrastructure projects to public safety equipment. The commission will review the closeout of the Wastewater Master Plan, as well as a rate analysis for sewer, street, and stormwater services. Additionally, they will consider a proposal for a three-year subscription to rate analysis software from Waterworth for $28,350. The agenda also includes a ground-penetrating radar report for Wickersham Park and a water park assessment. A key highlight of the meeting will be the introduction of the LENCO Bearcat, an armored vehicle recently acquired by the McPherson County Sheriff's Office and Police Department to enhance public safety and officer protection during critical incidents.

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