McPHERSON, Kan. — McPherson City Commissioners have approved an updated pay plan that will bring an overall 11.94% increase in compensation expense. The plan, presented as part of a compensation study by the Arnold Group, factors in a two percent cost of living raise, but exact pay increases will vary widely.
Phillip Hayes from the Arnold Group in introducing the plan noted there are a lot of challenges out there, especially in the post-COVID era, for governmental entities compared to “legacy” systems of the past. Citing both demographic and marketplace considerations.
Another challenge seen in local government is an impending “retirement cliff” will impact the public sector. “We have a lot of bench strength at the end of the bench, and a lot of communities are having difficulty replenishing the bench and pushing people through the middle and positioning leaders of tomorrow,” Hayes explained.
In addition to looking at salary structure based on both national, state, region and local salary trends, the study also took a look at all city job descriptions, and some adjustments in those are also part of this plan, which takes effect with the pay period that started Monday
At Tuesday’s meeting, Commissioners approved increases in sewer and stormwater utility charges, which will take effect Jan. 1. This will raise the base rate by one dollar to $22, plus ten cents for each 1,000 gallons of water used per month. The base fee for individual RV pad sites would remain at $10, and would also be subject to the usage fee. The stormwater utility fee would go up by a dollar to $11 The fee increases take effect Jan. 1.
The Commission approved a change order on the Myers Street reconstruction project. This change to the contract with Vogts-Parga Construction increases the project cost by just over $2,700 to reflect actual quantities utilized on the project, which is nearly complete save some backfilling and hydroseeding work. Paving of the two north blocks of Myers will take place next year.
Approval was given for purchase of a new snow blade for the tractor at the cemetery. The need for that blade, being purchased for just over $5,200 from PrairieLand Partners, will enable the cemetery tractor to also be used in support of other city departments for snow removal including clearing of assigned streets.
The Commission approved purchase through INA Alert of camera systems to be placed at 10 locations around the city, including installation, networking and a server. The $175,000 purchase is being funded through a congressional appropriation.
A letter of support was approved Tuesday by the McPherson City Commission on behalf of Twinland II LLC, which is seeking low-income housing tax credits through the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation for a proposed project to construct 16 low-income duplexes in their Deerfield Estates South development. The city would support these credits, if granted, through waiver of permit, erosion, and sewer tap fees along with providing infrastructure support from the housing line item of the city’s general fund, support amounting to just under $41,000.
Commissioners set a public hearing Dec.16 at 9 a.m. on amending the city’s 2025 budget. This amendment is related to the Sales Tax Revenue Fund, which began 2025 with a fund balance some $675,000 above what had been projected when the year started.
Best budgeting practices followed by the city recommend budgeting all cash received, whether it is spent or not. Specifically, the city is proposing to increase the fund transfers to the city’s consolidated street and highway fund, the Public Lands Fund and the Law Enforcement Fund, while eliminating budgeted transfers to bond and interest payments for the irrigation project at Turkey Creek Golf Course and for future projects.
The Commission in other actions approved a waiver of permit fees for St. Joseph Catholic Church which is replacing five rooftop HVAC units at the church, and were introduced to Chris Harrington, who has been hired as the city’s new Code Enforcement Officer.
