[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":56,"_68":69,"_70":56,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6333612,"mediaKeyId","2302272-8cbd343037c71cfdad8a5f0353bede56","parentId",2302272,"title","County treasurer reports record interest; administrator flags state bills and BESS timeline","audioSeconds",992,"startMs",2108000,"endMs",3100000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2302272-8cbd343037c71cfdad8a5f0353bede56&start=2108&end=3100","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2302272-8cbd343037c71cfdad8a5f0353bede56/thumbnail_2108000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6333612/Saline-County/Kansas/County-treasurer-reports-record-interest-administrator-flags-state-bills-and-BESS-timeline","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6333612-4058154021d61aa6cf98cbae58d95508/orig.mp4?Expires=1771175241&Signature=OwP6Lc-cupiY7sB4PlAs~taQ5WphesZ4mL9gaf-9rUKpU8Ta6dG-EvUZjnGMsPqL41xNeRk6mARiwEC1WGh83MkMxAQshHE-gbycB2~JGpL~isgB9AcJqqFfm5Y-jysEn3Z~AzwDyrmMh4n7Bv5RdyC9bvK3PqX~G0qVmPbw2MraCxAJLgC2qk7Uh~2rCk2otwlCqxIAkzD4rhSLb0g907RNJObw0jtT7QtKXqHBfxWS52X4coIXGC9f2LIktTO2~W~yE29yJh2jPNR4G5-2snvaolbczvu4HMCKegIOu9KRuK4itH8ZQpuSUv8TI6qAb0~OEQu~Tv2hdGZ~QHaagQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Saline County, Kansas","date","2025-02-04T00:00:00Z","article","Saline County’s treasurer reported stronger-than-usual interest earnings and other favorable revenue items on Feb. 4, while the county administrator outlined state legislative items the county is monitoring and gave a timeline for battery energy storage regulation review.

Treasurer Jim DuBois told commissioners the county’s earnings in the fourth quarter were $458,640 and that over the last two years the county exceeded $2 million in interest-bearing balances, producing substantial interest income. \"Over the last 2 years, where we exceeded the $2,000,000 mark, for 2023 and 2024, we made $4,744,902 off of interest,\" DuBois said, and he described the increase as a record in his reporting.

County Administrator Philip Smith Haines said overall 2024 revenues were positive, helped by record sales-tax income and some one-time receipts to the Sheriff’s Office. On expenditures he cautioned that while the county remained within budget overall, spending was tighter than in prior years and department heads should be mindful when preparing the 2026 budget. He said utility and operational costs for the new jail facilities contributed to spending pressures in 2024.

On the state legislative front, Smith Haines said he is watching bills on open-records changes, extraterritorial planning authority around cities and health orders. He cautioned that property-tax discussions in Topeka have so far focused on state-controlled mills but warned that if the House and Senate fail to reach agreement the legislature might pursue measures that affect local governments late in the session.

Battery storage timeline: Smith Haines also updated commissioners on county energy regulation timing, saying battery energy storage system (BESS) regulations the planning staff has drafted will not appear on the next meeting’s agenda and are likely to return in late March or April for formal action.

Ending: Commissioners acknowledged the favorable revenue news and asked staff to continue close budget monitoring; the county will return proposed BESS rules to the commission after further staff and city coordination.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Saline County Commission Meeting - February 4, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Saline County Treasurer reported higher interest earnings for 2024 and several years of strong returns; the county administrator warned the commission about possible late-session state actions affecting local property tax authority and said battery energy storage regulations will likely return for county consideration in late March or April.","taxTitle","taxId",55342,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":56,"_68":69,"_70":56,"_71":72,"_73":72},6333617,"Votes at a glance: Feb. 4 Saline County commission actions",1771,322000,2093000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2302272-8cbd343037c71cfdad8a5f0353bede56&start=322&end=2093","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2302272-8cbd343037c71cfdad8a5f0353bede56/thumbnail_322000.jpg","/articles/6333617/Saline-County/Kansas/Votes-at-a-glance-Feb-4-Saline-County-commission-actions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6333617-380e65e6f96091cd0607bf0041d70855/orig.mp4?Expires=1771175241&Signature=mZ-aIqRIX~p4ttmY-XfPLrUbAmi2BX1-p2Yr3-ZJ5dd17h8i-F~6gKAjECsgDpHVUK3JkqtATeT5cOdiHzEeXLpRmChNo~n-W~gttD3DGjc-8cooRqRNaIvdnG4QkUj07Y8uj5-ge-6B-KVBze3oEKoArfwjNl7XFggB2AzRbSUtLEDLWmqRTGyIKnPoJ9P6PuVre-S0VlwfmX4YtAnmdTCVaTPLAVtxewuFl1lRqsrjK5rgsTcX5DAsfFF-sXmvjRsa-WVYg~jv1EdOavnd81q6pqKDEpCGXOZAiWvb6eSo1VMjskGr5wceigA3o2IzR5Tk~G1iLO2Uxi5iOvdBtA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At its Feb. 4 meeting the Saline County Board of Commissioners recorded these formal actions and approvals.

Key votes

- Consent agenda: The commission approved the consent agenda by voice vote. Items listed on the consent agenda included tax roll adjustments; accounts payable; the public forum agenda; minutes for Jan. 14 and Jan. 21; a talk-group memorandum of understanding with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; and an employment agreement for a new behavioral health court coordinator. (Consent agenda item identifiers: not specified.)

- Fire station financing (RFA 2025-11): Motion to approve financing for Rural Fire District No. 3 Brookville Fire Station not to exceed $650,000 on up to a 20-year term. Motion carried by voice vote.

- Fire station bid award (RFA 2025-13): The commission awarded the construction contract for the Brookville Fire Station to NF Construction for a base bid of $661,000. Motion carried by voice vote.

- Revised Salina-area Community Economic Development Organization agreement (RFA 2025-08): The commission approved a restated intergovernmental agreement that replaces an older three-year rolling funding cycle with an annual budget cycle and adjusts reporting and accounting requirements. The action was approved; the agreement also requires approval by the other three participating entities.

- Repeal of the Crime Reduction Committee (Resolution 25-2422): The commission adopted a resolution repealing the county’s Crime Reduction Committee (originally formed as a jail-population reduction committee). The resolution was adopted by motion and voice vote.

Procedural notes: Most votes were taken by voice vote; specific roll-call tallies were not recorded in the transcript. When agenda items return for further action — for example, final financing terms, change orders on the Brookville project or Salina-area EDO budget requests — the commission will record motions and any required roll-call tallies as appropriate.

Ending: The commission moved from action items to several informational reports after approving the motions noted above.

","The Saline County Board of Commissioners approved a consent agenda, financing and a construction award for Brookville Fire District No. 3, approved a revised intergovernmental agreement for the Salina-area economic development organization, and adopted a resolution repealing the Crime Reduction Committee.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":56,"_68":69,"_70":56,"_71":72,"_73":72},6333621,"Planning commission reports year-end activity; county to refine battery storage rules",220,2308000,2528000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2302272-8cbd343037c71cfdad8a5f0353bede56&start=2308&end=2528","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2302272-8cbd343037c71cfdad8a5f0353bede56/thumbnail_2308000.jpg","/articles/6333621/Saline-County/Kansas/Planning-commission-reports-year-end-activity-county-to-refine-battery-storage-rules","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6333621-6486c9cd7a55e7d1ad000d8ad5ec5440/orig.mp4?Expires=1771175241&Signature=beKyJb76VPRAtjhJgr77gREhtbUwJ2SxS1b9yIbx2GQcNtb1wr8safEx9XrHbOZcjATqBM3Rg2VzuEF9aAaBmTV7MJtV6oNe7jFVtgEFwk~2QjuMsSNljIhQWid404T1RYx-dxjBLlFfQwKExCD9T85MGwZDEqRHO5pYQcQmzuo-OMUD0DIzMloAScKOW5AIR2Dg8zwCrKiwfDvoz7byZgBeWdUPAEW1k3okKcl-abTZQZRoAnYyIH4QDGjEZsDdoW7J0~zXViXixiYJczEl862uA7Bmgw5jAQIIMLhaCxf39BFwySq8BsBjo41wZm3H~voIPxnmcbJZIZ0qNWZNPQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Saline County planning staff on Feb. 4 reported 2024 activity that included adoption of commercial utility-scale solar provisions and continued work to craft rules for battery energy storage systems.

Planning and Zoning Administrator Tim Hamilton summarized the year’s work and said the planning commission spent much of 2024 drafting a resolution that established provisions for commercial solar farm installations; that resolution was approved by the County Commission in August. \"The remainder of the year was spent reviewing and considering information on battery energy storage systems,\" Hamilton said, adding the planning commission recommended approval of draft BESS provisions and that staff is coordinating code language with the city so commercial permit reviews align across jurisdictions.

Why it matters: commercial solar and battery storage regulations determine siting, safety and permit requirements for large energy projects and have drawn sustained public input. Hamilton said public comments helped shape safety-related provisions within the solar resolution and that planners are attempting to include comparable measures in the BESS language.

Professional input and public comment: commissioners asked whether outside professional consultants were retained for technical advice on BESS. Hamilton said planning staff and commissioners conducted research, reviewed national standards and received input from potential developers, but that no outside professional consultant provided a formal analysis to the planning commission; staff said additional review and coordination with the city remain underway.

Budget and permits: Hamilton also provided 2024 financial figures for Planning, Zoning and Environmental Health — revenues of $125,889.59 and expenditures of $237,615.89 — and noted revenue increased from 2023 in part because staff collected delinquent accounts.

Next steps: Hamilton said the draft BESS regulations will be returned to the County Commission for consideration after staff and city planners align permit language; the county administrator later said the rules are expected back in late March or April for formal action. The planning commission will continue to consider additional zoning and subdivision amendments in implementation of the county’s comprehensive plan.

Ending: Commissioners urged staff to document technical sources and national standards used to draft the rules; planners said that information will be part of the package brought back for formal consideration.

","Saline County planning staff reported 2024 zoning work including a commercial solar resolution adopted by the commission and ongoing review of battery energy storage system (BESS) regulations after public comment. Commissioners were told BESS rules will return later this spring for review and coordination with the city.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":56,"_68":69,"_70":56,"_71":72,"_73":72},6333626,"Saline County approves financing and construction contract for Brookville Fire Station",447,370000,817000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2302272-8cbd343037c71cfdad8a5f0353bede56&start=370&end=817","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2302272-8cbd343037c71cfdad8a5f0353bede56/thumbnail_370000.jpg","/articles/6333626/Saline-County/Kansas/Saline-County-approves-financing-and-construction-contract-for-Brookville-Fire-Station","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6333626-423f7d921c3a0689f40c2965d23dee8b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771175241&Signature=CzcCNiwHCjvKw7iglPFEAqJCUK61MBAWnic-D8FieQk-t1WCEHR-5kg5AbvuC0T~ndd457RPpH~nw1iIiwyBOMgcqzlI~zkqDl0C7ITIN3RbtHYFWZMXdsqpxoDsYvBzfan6cArCUHFiD4DrIXPamGXRXl-Vqwzzh752z3Q-p-0ApG9aBB3y89hXV31qI6gs~ZIzR040uXWAuL1gsiozNT1OBZ3SXeqR~iPe~MYg~X2z68r55QF5Z5899HS2AYHQt-47yKjVarlimAi~2mxiYmWPpeqfsJmVukzZSG3bS4yxp5jjMTeHYB46QAabM64YdALGCqzFQxWd4oxjQ4Y9Qw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Saline County commissioners on Feb. 4 approved financing for Rural Fire District No. 3’s Brookville fire station and, separately, awarded the construction contract to NF Construction for a base bid of $661,000.

The approvals follow requests from Fire District No. 3 trustees and fire chief Scott Apgar, who told commissioners the district solicited local bank offers for up to $650,000 over a 20-year term and recommended Bennington State Bank’s offer. \"Financing the full $650,000 with a term of 20 years would result in an annual payment of around $54,008,\" Apgar said, adding the district expects to use donated funds and its special equipment fund to reduce the financed amount.

Why it matters: the approvals move a multi-year project to break ground and commit local public funds and district levy revenue to long-term debt. The district already increased its budget this year in anticipation of a building payment and estimates financing could require further budget increases in future years.

Board and bid background: the district opened construction bids in December and the Board of Trustees recommended NF Construction’s low base bid of $661,000. Two other bidders submitted higher base bids; some bidders included voluntary deductions for construction details (for example, liner-panel installation methods) that could reduce costs if negotiated. Trustees asked that the county authorize the fire chief or the district secretary-treasurer, with county administrator approval, to approve change orders up to $5,000 during construction.

District financing and local impact: Apgar told the commission the district has about $103,000 in donated funds earmarked for the project and $42,288.17 remaining in ARPA grant funds awarded by the county; the remainder of the construction cost will be covered by the recently approved financing and the district’s Special Equipment Fund, which the district reported at $94,610. Apgar said the district increased its 2025 budget by $34,000 in anticipation of this payment and estimated a typical $100,000 house in the district would see roughly an $8.64-per-year tax increase tied to the project; a $200,000 house would see about $16 more per year by his estimate.

Discussion and concerns: commissioners and the public pressed for cost control and clarity. A commissioner questioned why the project used an engineered (red-iron/steel) building design rather than post-frame options, noting some local contractors declined to bid because they do not staff engineers. Apgar replied that engineered buildings require different specifications and that value engineering — including selecting liner panels with visible fasteners instead of hidden fasteners — could save $10,000–$12,000 and that trustees had discussed such options.

Votes and next steps: the commission voted to approve the financing request (RFA 2025-11) and, in a subsequent agenda item, to award the construction contract to NF Construction (RFA 2025-13). The district will return as construction proceeds for any required change-order approvals, and the county administrator and district officials said they will later seek authority to list the existing station for sale after operations move to the new building.

Ending: With financing and contract in place, trustees signaled they are ready to proceed; commissioners asked staff to track costs closely and to present any material change orders or budget impacts to the commission.

","The Saline County Commission approved up to $650,000 in financing and awarded a $661,000 construction contract to build a new Brookville Fire District No. 3 station, with trustees and the district projecting partial use of donated funds and district budget increases to cover payments.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

County treasurer reports record interest; administrator flags state bills and BESS timeline

Votes at a glance: Feb. 4 Saline County commission actions

Planning commission reports year-end activity; county to refine battery storage rules

Saline County approves financing and construction contract for Brookville Fire Station