Commission rezones land for future industrial development

City approves $90,000 sewer maintenance contract

Commission updates vicious animal ordinances

Commission opposes Evergy line, forgoes moratorium

Public works plans 'aggressive' $2.2 million road program

Speed limit decision tabled after resident complaints

Commission buys four trucks from local dealer

Emergency management vehicle approved

Silverdale Stone granted tax abatement for expansion

Vector Tooling Technologies receives incentives for new facility

Daytime fireworks request prompts policy review

Commission rezones land for future industrial development

WINFIELD, Kan. — The Winfield City Commission voted unanimously Feb. 2 to rezone a property at the intersection of Country Club Road and U.S. 77 from agriculture to light industrial use. Director of Public Improvements Patrick Steward said the move allows the city to market the land for potential development and prepare for utility extensions. The commission adopted the change as Ordinance No. 4244 following a recommendation from the Winfield Planning Commission.

City approves $90,000 sewer maintenance contract

WINFIELD, Kan. — Commissioners authorized a contract Feb. 2 with Goddard-based Mayer Specialty Services LLC to perform sanitary sewer pipe lining. City Manager Taggart Wall told the commission the project is estimated to cost $90,864. The measure passed with a 2-0 vote; Mayor Gregory Thompson was absent from the meeting.

Commission updates vicious animal ordinances

WINFIELD, Kan. — The commission approved updates to the city's vicious animal regulations Feb. 2, clarifying definitions and enforcement procedures in the city code. The new measure, adopted as Ordinance No. 4246, defines a vicious animal as one trained for fighting or one that displays a known propensity to attack humans or domestic animals without provocation. Under the updated regulations, a municipal judge has the authority to order the destruction of an impounded animal if it is determined to be a clear and present danger to the public.

Commission opposes Evergy line, forgoes moratorium

WINFIELD, Kan. — The Cowley County Commission voted unanimously to send a formal letter of opposition to the Kansas Corporation Commission regarding Evergy's proposed Buffalo Flats transmission line but opted against enacting a construction moratorium. County Administrator Lucas Goff reported that County Counselor Mark Krusor advised a moratorium would likely be overturned in court. However, Goff presented new data from Evergy estimating the project could generate approximately $3 million in annual property tax revenue for the county following a statutory 10-year tax exemption period.

Public works plans 'aggressive' $2.2 million road program

WINFIELD, Kan. — Public Works Superintendent Jon Jordan presented an ambitious road maintenance plan for 2026 involving the application of 20,000 tons of asphalt, a significant increase from previous years. The $2.215 million plan targets improvements on 21st Road, 132nd Road and several others, funded through the road maintenance budget and the federal fund exchange program. Commissioners approved the plan, which aims to improve road base quality across the county.

Speed limit decision tabled after resident complaints

WINFIELD, Kan. — Commissioners tabled a decision regarding speed limits and commercial traffic on 256th and 155th Roads until March 3. While a county engineering study suggested lowering the speed limit would have negligible effects on safety, residents alleged that heavy trucks from Hy-Grade Aggregates are damaging roads and endangering families. The board requested further legal review on their authority to set speed limits lower than engineering recommendations and asked for an additional site inspection.

Commission buys four trucks from local dealer

WINFIELD, Kan. — The board approved the purchase of four new pickup trucks for the Road and Bridge Department from Winfield Motor Company for a total not to exceed $163,238. The purchase includes three regular cab trucks and one crew cab model to replace aging fleet vehicles.

Emergency management vehicle approved

WINFIELD, Kan. — Commissioners authorized up to $40,000 for the purchase of a used four-wheel-drive crew cab pickup to serve as a command vehicle for Cowley County Emergency Services. Goff explained that the department's current Ford Explorer lacks the ground clearance necessary for rural response in pastures or oil fields. The new vehicle will carry communications equipment and support on-scene dispatching during large-scale incidents.

Silverdale Stone granted tax abatement for expansion

WINFIELD, Kan. — The commission approved a declining property tax abatement for Silverdale Quality Stone to support an expansion project that retains jobs and adds new positions. The exemption begins at 100 percent in year one and decreases by 10 percent annually until the property becomes fully taxable in year ten.

Vector Tooling Technologies receives incentives for new facility

WINFIELD, Kan. — Vector Tooling Technologies was granted a tax exemption for a newly completed crane building that will facilitate the hiring of five new employees annually. The commission approved a declining abatement structure similar to other recent economic development agreements.

Daytime fireworks request prompts policy review

WINFIELD, Kan. — John and Shelley Gardner, owners of Pumpkin Pants Ranch, requested permission to use daytime fireworks and colored smoke during upcoming Easter egg hunt events. Because current county resolution restricts consumer-grade fireworks primarily to the Independence Day holiday season, commissioners tabled the request until March 3 to allow staff to draft a resolution amendment that would permit fireworks for special events with proper fire chief approval.

Found a mistake? Have a news tip or feedback to share? Contact our newsroom using the button below:

Contact Us