The inmate count at the McPherson County Jail is at the lowest level seen in some time, going back to pre-COVID numbers. Sheriff Jerry Montagne told County Commissioners Monday they are housing 38 inmates, three female and four being held on municipal court cases. There is one juvenile being detained out of county at this time. Montagne said there were just 11 arrests last week.
Sheriff Montagne said they did have a busy weekend, with two death calls, five accidents, one of which Saturday evening was fatal was fatal, and another involving an overturned semi on 17th Avenue between Limestone and Moccasin Road Sunday night. Montagne also reported a deer crashed into the driver’s side of a patrol vehicle over the weekend on 5th Avenue, this unit was one they are trading in for a new vehicle.
Commissioners approved purchase of two cell phones for the health department, one for Director Shalei Shea as a work phone and one for staff use at community outreach events and nursing staff for on-call epidemiology purposes.
Shea said they are required by KDHE to have a primary and backup phone number outside office hours it can use in emergency preparedness and epidemiology, and for office use if their phone system is down. This is needed particularly as a backup for phone appointments, the WIC program in particular.
Commissioners also approved write-off of just under $120 in uncollectable debt for the 2nd quarter. Much of this involves very small amounts and collection ability is limited by a combination of state and federal laws including insufficient data to submit to the state set-off program.
Commissioners approved purchase of overhead storage units for cubicles in the County Clerk’s Office. The storage that originally was planned for the office won’t work, and this will provide adequate space for storage at their desks. The units are being purchases off state contract through Office Plus of Kansas at an additional cost of just over $2,470 including installation. The Commission approved end of introductory raises for three employees in the Treasurer’s Office.
June was a slow month for building activity in the unincorporated areas of McPherson County. Planning and Zoning Administrator Jon Kinsley reported six zoning permits were issued last month with a construction value of $329,000. Five administrative permits were also issued, and a total of nine fireworks permits were issued in the unincorporated areas of the county.
Planning and Zoning Administrator Jon Kinsey told McPherson County Commissioners Monday about a change in state law related to dams, and new requirements for what are called Class C dams, which are ones that in event of failure pose a major risk to life or property. There are three such dams in McPherson County, one of which is at the McPherson State Fishing lake.
What this law does as far as the county is concerned is if there is if a property were to be subdivided, a notification of inundation risk would have to be filed with the register of deeds. Property owners n these zones and title companies are being notified about this change.
Next week’s County Commission meeting has been moved to Tuesday, July 14th, same time and location as usual with a work session to follow at the Public Works office.
