The McPherson County Commission Monday officially accepted the TEAP study conducted on two intersections along Old Highway 81 in the Moundridge area. This action allows the report prepared by Kirkham Michael to be submitted to KDOT. As we reported earlier, the study recommends converting the intersections at Arrowhead Road and 22nd Avenue to four-way stops and adding rumble strips along Old 81 prior to the intersections. Crash data from both intersections will continue to be monitored with the potential roundabouts could be installed at one or both intersections if accident rates remain above a critical rate.
The McPherson Airport Authority is seeking a ten percent increase in its funding allocation from the City of McPherson and McPherson County for 2027. Airport Manager Cynthia Peterson told Commissioners these funds are used for maintaining and improve the airport property and facilities.
Peterson reviewed recent projects at the airport, those ongoing, and their next major project to replace the airport’s fuel system, which is an important revenue source. That $1 million project is largely grant-funded, with the local share of it coming to $49,000.
McPherson County Attorney Jennifer Wyatt submitted a proposed 2027 budget that calls for virtually no increase from the 2026 budget. The budget proposal calls for total spending to increase by $4,153, with the largest increase for its commodities line item, specifically for computer equipment replacement and maintenance.
Commissioners also approved funding adjustments for Community Corrections and Juvenile Services. Harvey/McPherson County Community Corrections Director Sunny Milleson said this involves moving funds from one line item to another within the various sub-funds of their budget, and if that exceeds $5,000 Commissioners have to sign off on it.
The Commissioners approved a change order on the plow/dump truck is approved purchase of in April. This would change the Truck’s transmission as the one originally quoted would have a pressure drop in its hydraulic system that would limit speeds during hydraulic/PTO operations. The transmission to be used, with an added cost of $8,590, would not have this issue. The revised cost would still be lower than other bids submitted last month.
It also approved a just over $7,600 wiring upgrade for the Public Works fuel system to replace conduit that had collapsed resulting in new fuel tank problems not being able to be installed.
An extension of server hardware and related support contracts for the Courthouse and Law Enforcement Center was approved. This is through Eagle Technologies in Salina at a cost of just under $41,000, which will run into 2029, when new server equipment would be installed. Also approved was a $6,295 purchase of a new MPF scanner for the county’s GIS system through Salina Blue.
Commissioners appointed Brenda Becker as McPherson Township Treasurer. Becker, who served as McPherson County Treasurer for Many years before stepping down in 2024, will serve out the remainder of the term of Mary Ann Musselwhite who passed away last October.
Commissioners also gave final approval to a package sales cereal malt beverage license for Canton Market just south of Canton, and approved write-off of just over $400 in uncollectable debt for the Health Department which largely reflects balances of less than 125 dollars or having insufficient data to submit to the Kansas Debt Recovery System or related to two vaccine programs.
The Commission will have a walk-through inspection of the McPherson County building Thursday as a renovation project is nearing completion. A grand opening of the building, which will house officers of the County Clerk, Treasurer, Register of Deeds, and other offices has been set for Friday, June 5th.
