McPHERSON COUNTY, Kan. — McPherson County Commissioners Monday approved the final resolutions to extend moratoriums on battery and hydrogen energy storage systems to Sept. 1 and another for data centers to Dec. 1. All three resolutions have a provision where they can be lifted individually as such time as regulations are in place.
Also approved was a zoning code amendment related to race tracks that sets out requirements for special use permits, including that they be at least one mile from existing homes, schools, hospitals or platted subdivisions. It also includes a notification requirement for property owners within a five-mile radius and sets out other regulatory criteria. Even with the enlarged radius, the area from which protest petitions can be filed remains as is.
Purchase of new service weapons for McPherson County Sheriff’s Office Reserve Officers was approved. Sheriff Jerry Montagne said in the past reserve deputies had to furnish their own weapon, but that changed largely for liability reasons, including a desire to have all officers, regular or reserve, to have the same weapon.
The $7,599 cost is being covered through a donation from the family of former McPherson County Sheriff Ellis Musslewhite. The reserve deputies have to meet the same qualification and certification requirements as do full time personnel.
Commissioners approved the 2026 contracts for court appointed defense counsel in criminal cases in McPherson County District Court. Nearly 195 thousand dollars is budgeted for this in 2026, and the county contracts with four attorneys. Boyer and Price Law Office and Charles Lindberg are the two primary attorneys with Ty Kaufman and Zachary Strella serving as conflict counsel in cases where there are multiple defendants or such cases where conflicts of interest exist.
Commissioners approved three change orders on the McPherson County Building renovation project. This includes modification to an earlier approved work on the HVAC system. Earlier the intent was to repair the existing system but Bob Griffin from Fuqua Construction said McPherson Quality Air recommended replacement instead, based on a combination of the coil needing to be replaced isn’t available, and the older units use a different refrigerant. Also approved were additional costs for cabling of security cameras and other items, UPS devices and a water leak detection system, combined cost for these items coming to just over $62,000.
The 2025 annual report and 2026 management plans for the Noxious Weed Department were approved, along with the purchase of a UTV and related trailer, which also can be utilized for snow removal facility maintenance. That UTV is being purchased from Agri-Center of South Hutchinson for a cost of just over $22,000. A $46,885 pickup purchase from Midway Motors was also approved for the Maintenance Department to replace a 2002 truck with over 200 thousand miles on it and having assorted issues
Commissioners approved purchase of more salt for county road deicing. 200 tons of salt is being purchased from Independent Salt of Kanopolis for just over 10 thousand dollars. It also approved purchase of various supplies for the sign shop from J&A Traffic Products of Blue Springs, Missouri at a cost of just over $19,500; Purchase of two thousand tons of asphalt millings from APAC Kansas, which will be used in their asphalt mix; and authorized up to $13,000 including contingency for various guard rail repairs at four locations. Repairs are also planned at two other locations which are being covered by insurance.
Commissioners also approved a corrected resolution involving the sale it approved last week for sale of the former McKids building to Prairie View. The correction involved an error in the legal description of the property, and the actual sale contract was also approved.
