McPHERSON COUNTY, Kan. — Representatives from McPherson County, several cities and the Kansas Department of Agriculture Division of Water Resources met last week for a flood risk review session related to new flood plain maps for McPherson County.
Planning and Zoning Administrator Jon Kinsey said this will combine maps for three separate basins in the county into one. Those maps are for the Smoky Hill, Arkansas/Little Arkansas, and Cottonwood River basins, and the state is combining maps to be on a county-wide basis.
During the discussion a couple of issues were raised, including one in the Galva area and the other on the area of the McPherson High School Roundhouse, part of which is currently scheduled to come out of the flood plain. Kinsey said those at the meeting questioned this, and felt this is something that will need to be looked at.
Data development for the new maps has been going on since 2021. A Public Open House is planned on the proposed maps sometime in February. Under the current timelines, the new maps are estimated to go into effect in the early part of 2028.
Public Works Director David Bohnenblust told Commissioners work on 27th Avenue between Canton and Roxbury as of now should be finished in about two weeks. Meanwhile wet conditions and other issues have delayed work on a low water crossing west of Roxbury, and with that crews are being moved over to the bridge project west of Marquette.
Bohnenblust said bids will be opened Wednesday for a bridge replacement project near Groveland Wednesday, which will be brought to Commissioners for their approval next week. Several Public Works personnel will be taking part in GPS training activities next week.
Commissioners Monday accepted bids for pipe to be used on several projects over the next year. The pipe is being purchased from J&J Drainage in Hutchinson and McPherson Concrete at a total cost of $54,498.80. This will cover projects that for the most part will be done in 2026 though some might get done this year. Eleven projects are involved. Four projects are on 18th Avenue east of Elyria. One will be on Comanche, Mohawk, Sioux and Smoky Valley Roads, and also on a road southwest of Roxbury, north of Galva and north of Windom.
Commissioners also approved replacement of tires on a loader, purchased through Smoky Valley Tire in Lindsborg.
Emergency Management and Communications Director Emily Yates told Commissioners they are still waiting on a few things to arrive to complete the tower project southeast of Windom, this primarily attributed to shipping delays. She anticipates an update meeting will be held later this week. Yates was also given permission to promote a dispatcher to a shift supervisor role. Also approved was hiring of a tag employee in the Treasurer’s Office.
