McPHERSON, Kan. — McPherson County Commissioners Monday approved resolutions designating two road segments in New Gottland Township as minimum maintenance. The Planning Board last week recommended designation of 13th Avenue between Pioneer and Pueblo Roads and Pueblo Road from 12th to 13th. The Commission recommended not approving minimum maintenance for Overland Road from 12th to 15th (this is the southern boundary of the township) and 12th from Pawnee to Overland.
At last week’s hearing, New Gottland Township Treasurer Don Pennington said they requested this designation for liability purposes in the event of the accident. A number of people spoke against the designation of Overland and 12th, and the board recommended disapproval of both on a 4-1 vote. 12th Road is the boundary between New Gottland and Jackson Townships, and Overland is the boundary with McPherson Township.
Commissioners approved a revised resolution related to an earlier adopted resolution that places a moratorium on battery energy storage systems in McPherson County. The original resolution would have run through Jan. 1, 2028, but the amendment changes this to the date of March 1, 2026, included in a resolution adopted for data centers. Commissioners will still be able to extend or end the moratorium as needed, with the Planning Board tasked to review and develop regulations for these systems.
Commissioners approved addition of a heated sidewalk along the west side of the now under renovation McPherson County Building at 122 West Marlin. General contractor Fuqua Construction obtained a bid through McPherson Quality Air at a cost of $16,908.
Commissioner David O’Dell also reported on a recent contractor meeting where it was learned the project is now 59 percent complete. During that meeting, external signage ideas were reviewed, and he said they are looking at designating the parking garage as employee parking only, including for various county vehicles.
The Commission also heard a report from 9th Judicial District Judge Jason Lane on plans to expand a drug court program to McPherson County. Harvey County, which is also part of the 9th Judicial District, already has this program, which targets high-risk probationers, and has proven to be very successful in reducing recidivism rates.
