McPHERSON COUNTY, Kan. — The McPherson County Commission has approved the hiring of two temporary part-time employees for Planning and Zoning to assist with digitizing of files in the department. Administrator Jon Kinsey said both positions will be for up to 500 hours, and one of them will be working on digitizing surveys which in the past were filed in that officer and are now being filed with the Register of Deeds.
Kinsey also presented at Monday’s meeting his proposed 2026 budget which will keep most spending flat from 2025 levels, allowing for a four percent salary increase and an additional adjustment for an employee related to a step adjustment being made this fall. Kinsey noted there are still a few questions related to his budget as they relocate from the Public Works facility to the County Building once that remodel is finished.
Commissioners approved the promotion of Amber Clark to Communications Supervisor as recommended by Emergency Management and Communications Director Emily Yates and a transfer of a current supervisor back to a tech position at the employee’s request. Yates also reported on overall staffing levels and said if a person they recently interviewed accepts the position they will be at full staffing. She also said they are still waiting on shipment of microwave equipment for the new Windom tower, which has been erected.
A quote for sewer line replacement for the McPherson County Health Department building on North Main was approved as requested by Maintenance supervisor Joshua Pimentel. McPherson Quality Air has the lowest of two quotes at just over $12,000 including excavation which is the largest part of the cost, along with a four-inch PVC line to replace an existing cast iron line and t-tap connection to the city’s sewer main. This will address some backup issues that impact one restroom in the building There’s also a sewer issue at the Public Works office building that has left one restroom unusable, and that is being done.
Commissioners approved purchase of a tree grapple for one of their loaders, with Double L Manufacturing of Clay Center will custom build a grapple fork for their Cat loader for just under $18,000, about $8,500 less than the second lowest of three bids. Fleet Maintenance foreman Mike Evans said this grapple, which will be utilized in right of way maintenance among other projects, should be delivered in about a month or two.
Commissioners also approve an end of introductory raise and promotion for a maintenance worker. Public Works Director David Bohnenblust provided an update on current projects including scheduling for overlay work and said a box culvert replacement near Inman has been completed.
Commissioners appointed Scott Neufeld to the Board of McPherson County Rural Fire District 5. Neufeld will take the board position vacated by Stan Balzer, who also has stepped down as the district’s secretary-treasurer. That position will be filled by Ricky Schroeder.
