By Lucky Kidd
McPHERSON COUNTY, Kan. — The two McPherson County Departments currently housed in the County Building at 122 West Marlin have temporary locations secured after approval of lease agreements by County Commissioners Monday.
The County Attorney’s Office will be relocated to the second floor of the Grand Building at the northwest corner of Main and Kansas under a one-year lease with a monthly payment of $3,903, part of which may change based on utility and other expenses. That lease has a provision allowing for a month-to-month extension should they need to remain there past the end of 2025. The Harvey/McPherson County Community Corrections office will move to 121 North Main under an 18-month lease at $2,000 per month.
Replacement of two doors at the Health Department building was approved by Commissioners. Director Shalei Shea said they had been experiencing recurring issues with a security system installed in 2021 with COVID funds, and it has been found the existing doors are the problem, an outdated design causing issues at temperatures above 90 or below 50 degrees.
Another issue is their condition is such that they no longer effectively prevent water or pests from entering the building, especially the west door which leads directly to the building basement where many county records are stored.
Shea solicited quotes from four companies, of which only one submitted a quote of just over $30,000. Shea also asked that quotes be sought by the maintenance department to install a larger sump pump and drain on the west side of the building.
Commissioners approved purchase of two storage containers through Sturdi-Bilt in Hutchinson, one of which is for storage of items from the Courthouse and County Building during the upcoming renovation project. This 40-foot container, costing $5,600, will be placed at the Public Works yard.
A 20-foot container being purchased by the Sheriff’s Department for general storage for $3,750 will be placed at the Law Enforcement Center. Also purchased for the Sheriff’s office was three replacement vests, which will cost $3,584.
A bid was accepted from Smoky Valley Tire for a new set of tires for one of Public Works’ motor graders. While the $6,798 bid was slightly above that from Commercial Tire of Salina, a local bidder preference was used as the bid difference was less than two percent, well within the four percent preference guidelines
Ricky Schroeder was appointed to the board of McPherson County Fire District 5 at Inman, to take the position previously held by Jerry Sisson. Commissioners also approved the cereal malt beverage license renewals for Rolling Acres Golf Course and Lindsborg Golf Course for 2025, final payment on a water system improvement project for Rural Water District 1, and reimbursement of just over $23.500 to McPherson County Rural Water District 2 for water line extension and maintenance.
Annual resolutions were approved designating all banks and savings and loan associations having locations in the county as official depositories and designation of the McPherson Sentinel as the official county newspaper for 2025. County Administrator Rick Witte told Commissioners there will be a push before the Legislature this session to allow counties the ability to use their websites as an official publication, authority cities already have, and the City of McPherson is using.
Commissioners approved hiring of a correctional officer which will bring the jail to full staffing. Hiring of two new employees for Emergency Communications was also approved, and that brings them to full staffing as well.
