McPHERSON COUNTY, Kan. — The McPherson County Planning Board and Board of Zoning Appeals will be re-voting next week on officers for this year. Issues about the board election last month were brought to McPherson County Commissioners last week and Planning, Zoning and Environmental Administrator Jon Kinsey addressed the issues raised by board member Jeff Smith.
In reviewing the transcribed minutes of the meeting, Kinsey said “the positions of chair, vice chair, and secretary were not nominated as stipulated in the by-laws of the McPherson County Planning and Zoning Appeals “ On that basis, the board chair and secretary will determine how that re-vote will proceed. Kinsey also said state law in this case does allow votes for officers to be cast by paper ballot.
Kinsey also outlined duties set out for him including setting of cases for hearing, noting the only role he has is to determine whether a matter needs to be handled by the Planning Board or Board of Zoning Appeals, which operate under different rules for the matters they consider. He added it is the secretary of the Planning Board who sets the agenda.
In response to Smith’s contention the board’s purpose was to “fix problems that need fixing.” Under state law there are seven specific duties out for the Planning Board by state law, which summarized include development of comprehensive plans, review capital projects and items related to that and hold hearings related to items under its jurisdiction, and as the Board of Zoning Appeals consider conditional use permits.
Smith also said the board’s duties are to look for solutions and not create problems or fines. The matter of enforcement of fines is delegated by state law to the zoning administrator.
Another speaker last week, Gary Frownfelter, said it was improper for the chair of the board to vote on any matter. Kinsey said the by-laws say otherwise, as provided for in 2006 and again in 2016. The chair having voting rights is common to other zoning boards in the region, unlike most cities operating under a city council form of government where the mayor does not have a vote except in certain circumstances including breaking of ties.
A full recording of Kinsey’s presentation has been posted at www.adastraradio.com/podcasts.
Kinsey also presented his monthly report for January, during which two zoning permits and five agricultural exemptions were issued. Kinsey said the largest of the Ag exemptions is for a $1.7 million chicken barn to be built near Deer Trail and Chisholm Roads north of Moundridge. This is just to the East of I-135 and west of 20th Avenue.
During January five surveys were processed, a task his office is now handling, along with seven 911 addresses being assigned and five sanitation permits being issued. Kinsey also noted there will be a work session next Tuesday with the McPherson City Commission to review comprehensive plan updates being done by both the city and county and matters involving subdivision and extra-territorial zoning regulation.
Commissioners agreed to take over McPherson County Rural Fire District 10. This district, which includes the south half of New Gottland Township, contracts for fire protection services with the city of McPherson as does King City and McPherson Townships. District 10 Board Member Floyd Pearson said the district only issues two checks per year per their current contract with the city, which for 2025 totals just over 33 thousand dollars. It also had difficulty in getting board members. As the fire board it also approved the 2025 fire protection contract with the city.
The Commissioners accepted the low bid from Kansas Mechanical Solutions for replacement of a leaking four inch cast iron pipe in the basement of the Law Enforcement Center with PVC piping. The KMS bid was the lowest of three submitted, only one of which was from a local vendor whose quote was just under 1200 dollars higher. Commissioners also accepted a bid from Midway Motors for purchase of three Sheriff’s patrol vehicles. Midway submitted bids for both Dodge Durango and Ford units, with other bids from Davis Moore of Wichita for a Durango and Long MacArthur Ford of Salina. While the Davis-Moore bid was slightly lower, Midway’s Durango bid was well within the local preference provision of the county’s purchasing policy.
Approval was given to lease additional space in the building where Community Corrections is being housed during the County Building renovation project. This space, which will be used to store items from both the County Building and Courthouse during the project, is being rented for $100 a month.
The Commission also approved a beer license renewal for Red Hills Kountry Store on US 56 south of Canton.
