The city of McPherson received an unmodified opinion as it related to Kansas Municipal accounting guidelines in its 2025 audit report, which was presented during Tuesday’s City Commission meeting. Christina Henson from The Loyd Group said the audit had an adverse opinion as it relates to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, based on the regulatory audit nearly all Kansas local governments use not including such things as capital assets and long-term debt, among others. While the general fund’s ending balance was down slightly, other city funds saw their ending balances increase.
Commissioners approved the low bid from APAC Kansas Shears Division for the 2026 mill and overlay projects. This includes the overlay of two blocks of North Myers and the 1100 block of North Elm reconstructed in 2025. The $482,592.60 bid was the lowest of four received. It also includes an overlay of Heritage Place and Janasu Drive.
Commissioners approved a revised agreement with KDOT for maintenance of the traffic signals on the northbound ramps at the I-135/US 56 interchange to reflect the city’s current labor and equipment rates. Public Works Director Eric Duerksen also provided an update on the Tulip Street sewer and drainage project, for which temporary easements are being obtained to accommodate the size of equipment that will be needed for this project.
McPherson Board of Public Utilities General Manager Josh Bedel provided an update on the rebuild of electric lines in the Countryside area, where all poles have been replaced from Maxwell to Northglen work from Northglen to North High Drive should be complete in about a week.
Weather has impacted work on this project, where an underground crew is continuing work on setting up pedestals to feed customers from the new overhead lines. Another overhead crew completed work in the Sunset View Estates Development just west of the city. Water crews are continuing work on the Ash Street line replacements.
The Commission also approved termination of a utility easement along the south side of a property at the northwest corner of Northview and Centennial. This easement was for a water line of McPherson County Rural Water District 2, which was never installed.
A resident along North Maxwell in the area where the city of McPherson is proposing to construct a multi-use trail expressed thanks to Mayor Jim Loving and city staff for working with residents to address concerns. Lisa Hoffman outlined this during the public comment portion of Tuesday’s Commission meeting and said they were willing to listen resident concerns, which are being addressed in plan development. She added that with the adjustments, including keeping it within existing right of way, residents in the area are supportive of the project so they can enjoy safe walking paths.
The Commission approved the job description for a fire inspection captain. This is a budgeted item for 2026, and while this position was created last year it wasn’t formally approved when wage scale updates were approved. With this approval, the hiring process can begin, with the position to be filled at the first pay period after July 1st.
The Commission also approved an intern position to work with the clubhouse manager at Turkey Creek Golf Course. This position would be in place of an existing seasonal/temporary employee. It also approved two seasonal administrative interns for this term.
A change in how McPherson City Commission meetings are conducted was implemented during Tuesday’s meeting. Within the agenda there is now a consent agenda, which Mayor Jim Loving said combines a number of routine actions, such as approval of minutes, paying of bills, bond and event approvals, and other non-controversial matters into one single action item. Many area governmental entities, including the USD 418 Board of Education and the Lindsborg City Council, already use this, Commissioners also adopted an ordinance officially putting in place the change in meeting frequency of the Commission from weekly to twice monthly, and approved annual support agreements for the appliance holding hard drives and the network switches on the city’s computer systems, totaling just under $6,300 with Eagle Technologies.
Among the event requests approved were Thursday’s McPherson High School Senior Parade, the 2026 swim meets for the McPherson AquaPups swim team, and Fireworks with a Fireman June 26th. Proclamations were adopted for National Tourism Week, Buddy Poppy Day, Municipal Clerks Week, Police Week and Peace Officer Memorial Day
Commissioners made multiple appointments, including two-year appointments of top city officials including City Administrator Austin Regehr and the city’s six top department heads. This also included the appointment of the Municipal Judge, City Attorney, Assistant City Attorney and City Prosecutor, which are contracted positions.
In addition, several advisory board members were either appointed or reappointed. This includes Tiffani Floyd to the Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals, John Holthus to the Board of Public Utilities along with City Commissioner Gary Mehl, who is an ex-officio member. Other Appointments include Jim LaDuke and Denise O’Connor Munsey to the Special Drug and Alcohol Advisory Board, Kim Stanley and Becki Bowman to the Library Board, and Dawn Korbe, Tennille McCormick, Jolie Green and Regehr to the Convention and Visitors Board.
