Several outside agency funding requests were presented to McPherson County Commissioners Monday.
The largest of these requests came from the McPherson County Extension Council, which seeks $330,000, a $30,000 increase from 2026. Kansas State University provides just over $53,000 in funding for the extension office. Salaries for personnel make up the largest part of their budget, with increased fixed costs factoring into the additional funding sought
The McPherson County Fair Association is requesting $40,000 to support a number of capital improvement projects over the next couple of years. This would include beef barn upgrades, concession building improvement, adding a concrete pad for handicap accessibility and lighting and electrical upgrades for the arena, plumbing upgrades and drainage improvements.
STEPMC is seeking $35,000 to support their programming helping people overcome poverty, which expanded this year to a new site in Inman. Safehope is seeking $17,500 to support services offered to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking.
Following a public hearing, Commissioners approved a resolution to fence and gate a portion of 7th Avenue East of Marquette. This begins about 400 feet south of K-4 and extends about a mile south to Smoky Valley Road. Public Works Engineer Elizabeth Hopp said Union Township officials asked for this due to maintenance difficulties in that area, and costs related to that maintenance. The adjacent landowners support the closing. The landowners and emergency personnel would be able to access the road of needed.
Commissioners accepted the bid of Allstates Coatings for striping paint to be used on county roads. Allstates had the lowest of four bids received. Separately, it awarded to McConnell and Associates for the glass beads used in the paint for reflective purposes. Paint cost for 2026 is slightly less than 2025, and the bead cost was up.
Commissioners also approved a change order on the Comanche Road bridge project of just over $4,300 to cover addition pile slice and rock removal, along with a pay request from L&M Contractors on work completed to date.
JD Bowman was appointed to the Prairie View McPherson County Advisory Committee. The Commission also approved hiring of a new dispatcher for Emergency Communications and payment of a just over $4,2500 invoice to Jim’s Plumbing and Heating for replacement of a air conditioning compressor. Personnel change orders reflecting the end of introductory period for one employee and promotion of another in the Public Works department was approved along with authorization to fill a vacant maintenance worker position.
