[{"_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",6327409,"mediaKeyId","2322425-8f992f12d3086a8826b3339ae71dfb28","parentId",2322425,"title","Commission orders RFPs after Raftelis explains organizational scan; firm says it does not offer salary studies","audioSeconds",917,"startMs",2637000,"endMs",3554000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2322425-8f992f12d3086a8826b3339ae71dfb28&start=2637&end=3554","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2322425-8f992f12d3086a8826b3339ae71dfb28/thumbnail_2637000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6327409/Finney-County/Kansas/Commission-orders-RFPs-after-Raftelis-explains-organizational-scan-firm-says-it-does-not-offer-salary-studies","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6327409-3f4f16fd3ba3b4111ff377c4a1f04ac3/orig.mp4?Expires=1773078631&Signature=dpE5so7UlQd64bnAUavwB1RgmyWtW74hqe25Gzg1FJqLC1kWMoYMPjlHLdEPNwtAHqZ852I0XarvfrwC0stqU7eE0ipCyiDwxOKjI~CQkThgynq82MdK0EgBEmCRpD~v2m4mMs6LJD5OZv~vsdOSnJ12tHcJ195xg3JYYN9KwRQhDSguI6j5YX4CbUYUt9lvYIcgFEqCQ7D48DR6kb8nEhY5upsrb1T3Z2JVucLvZb6NYNM0tSqB~xIkjdXbctRxEOCCVmeRHMC5drVPg9RL4qzxMllwPQIXVcPP6uas8hhZEWXF5wNhvLH7CfZPyBI-hCq1QCDTDTOmaH2CqGp4vw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Finney County, Kansas","date","2025-02-03T00:00:00Z","article","The Finney County Board of County Commissioners voted to issue two requests for proposals after a presentation by Michelle Ferguson of Raftelis on conducting organizational assessments.

Michelle Ferguson, executive vice president with consulting firm Raftelis, told the board her firm specializes in organizational scans for local governments and includes staff and leadership interviews, best‑practice review and an implementation plan. “Our focus is on working with local governments and utilities across the country to provide a wide variety of services, including organizational assessments … and strategic planning related services,” Ferguson said.

Commissioners questioned scope and deliverables. Commissioner Kevin Basquiat asked whether a compensation (salary and benefit) study and recruitment/retention recommendations would be included; Ferguson answered that Raftelis does not perform specific salary surveys or salary‑level studies: “That is not a service that our firm provides,” she said, but added the firm will review recruitment and retention practices, job descriptions and organizational charts as part of the assessment.

Commissioner Mike Yoots asked whether the work would include job descriptions and span‑of‑control analysis; Ferguson said those items are routine components of an organizational review and that the firm would include elected offices in the scope if the board wanted that.

The board debated whether to waive formal procurement due to time pressure tied to the county’s administrator transition. Commissioners who had reviewed Raftelis’ materials praised the firm but most said the county should “lead by example” and follow the RFP process. The board voted to issue RFPs for both the organizational scan and the separate executive recruitment/search to allow multiple firms to respond; the administrator and counsel will run the procurement and aim to return proposals for selection at the March 3 meeting.

What was asked and follows

- Scope clarifications: Raftelis will not provide a standalone salary survey; it will review recruitment and job‑description practices and deliver recommended organizational structure changes and an implementation plan.
- RFP timeline: Commissioners instructed staff to publish RFPs promptly with an accelerated review so finalists can be chosen at the March 3 meeting.

The decision to pursue competitive procurement was unanimous; staff will post RFPs and return proposals for the board’s March 3 consideration.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Finney County Commission Meeting - Regular Session (02-03-2025)","oneSentenceSummary","After a presentation by Raftelis on organizational assessments, Finney County commissioners voted to issue RFPs for a countywide organizational scan and a separate executive recruitment for the county administrator search.","taxTitle","taxId",70642,"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},6327419,"Votes at a glance: appointments, emergency declaration, sewer rates, RFPs and interim administrator approved",5475,435000,5910000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2322425-8f992f12d3086a8826b3339ae71dfb28&start=435&end=5910","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2322425-8f992f12d3086a8826b3339ae71dfb28/thumbnail_435000.jpg","/articles/6327419/Finney-County/Kansas/Votes-at-a-glance-appointments-emergency-declaration-sewer-rates-RFPs-and-interim-administrator-approved","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6327419-0749407a41dd9b44c2404e1befab51e0/orig.mp4?Expires=1773078631&Signature=PMMMxqvlqZv14BEE7dfOsISEmbbIv4pWoEu6SeH~u4-UZjKYs6SPpeI~tjw7Vw41mqz7DsVkHAwoo0NBi2rdyLiTW30hc34dGmJFKEe1K5-r9AQsFSSArjVHyx1XAfISKdx~rgbRvO2mv1er1p9cntTa71cWCjWpkIN65R3tEScekbFF3iKyBPs5ALu0Hq2pelgPv87-vmuIOsxdbiMyZQarLo1I2ACx6ql1rekIjIkUIBHGsMCz5gcxRCJ~Pe1l4rul3nbUJBjaxdbFSffh9YgW-w7mhJzr6Huj5EC4Qys2FtLFEvk9MCBiOx5gAnhquFLIM3ydjsBovD1rADZCjA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Finney County Board of County Commissioners approved a set of motions during its meeting, including appointments, resolutions, licensing and procurement steps.

Key formal actions

- Appointment: Commissioners voted to reappoint Sam Hans to the Finney County Economic Development Corporation board for a three‑year term beginning Jan. 1, 2025 and ending Dec. 31, 2027. The motion to appoint was moved from the dais and seconded; the vote carried.

- Emergency declaration: The board adopted Resolution O06/2025 to continue a local state of emergency declared Jan. 24, 2025, and to keep relevant local disaster response authorities active to allow pursuit of state and federal assistance. Emergency Manager Paul Roesley reported cleanup was complete and Wildlife and Parks remained to repair fence damage. Motion to adopt Resolution O06/2025 was moved and seconded and passed.

- Sewer fee schedule: The board approved Resolution O05/2025 establishing a county fee structure and rates for the Northwest Sewer System (proposed Sewer District #4). The administrator reported the county took the system over about 2½ years ago and has made nearly $1 million in improvements; the rates mirror those used by existing county sewer districts and revenues will be placed into a dedicated Finney County North Sewer System Fund. Motion carried.

- Procurement / RFPs: Commissioners voted to send requests for proposals (RFPs) for two projects: (1) an organizational scan/assessment; and (2) executive recruitment services to assist with the county administrator search. The board discussed whether to waive formal procurement; the motion was to follow procurement rules and issue RFPs. Motion carried.

- Interim administration: Following two executive sessions on nonelected personnel, the board approved a contract appointing Gary Meager as interim assistant county administrator until March 3, 2025 and then as interim county administrator commencing March 3, 2025; terms were to be finalized by county counsel. The motion passed.

- License: The board authorized issuance of a 2025 cereal malt beverage license to Maverick, Inc. for a location outside the Garden City limits at 50 East Acroway Avenue. The county clerk reported licensing requirements had been met; motion carried.

- County technology and email: The board directed the administrator and IT to repurpose five county devices and create county email accounts for commissioners (standard Outlook accounts) to separate personal and county communications. Motion carried.

- Washington D.C. trip: The board authorized Commissioner Kevin Baskin to attend a Chamber delegation to Washington, D.C. April 6–8; the county will reimburse costs as outlined by the Chamber's sponsorship materials. Motion carried.

Record and context

All motions listed above were moved and seconded as noted in the meeting record and carried without recorded dissent. Several items (the organizational scan, executive search and interim appointment) had extended discussion prior to the votes.","The Finney County Board of County Commissioners approved multiple motions covering appointments, emergency declaration continuation, sewer rates, procurement for an organizational scan and executive recruitment and an interim administration appointment.",{"_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},6327405,"County health, EMS and fire officials describe aging buildings and operational strain; commissioners back facility planning",676,6925000,7601000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2322425-8f992f12d3086a8826b3339ae71dfb28&start=6925&end=7601","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2322425-8f992f12d3086a8826b3339ae71dfb28/thumbnail_6925000.jpg","/articles/6327405/Finney-County/Kansas/County-health-EMS-and-fire-officials-describe-aging-buildings-and-operational-strain-commissioners-back-facility-planning","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6327405-b792a32d3d526b1d0f4af6a057725bb8/orig.mp4?Expires=1773078631&Signature=CHdV3BV4nYBNN8pEdQ9bV4Wu82WMg3IKIL02zXOQzYR7uID-MdbcQNUXFgg9FHh91qbGHGW6UbcYBzlWxvmDIl~Y7iYGHt8tBS1Vs4US3jaegrMIPHUwjetr5CP6o49hym2p-5lLaJuxV4WVfIqvuyR7q-zpr1AhpOivkQMh1EbyPaob5vbQNBSx2wTS3~omljHevLfVhaC6Le~dJbssOkNjnCIHpuAnnrcBVqxgwjexFKheC5t~BFf-wGLTZMQIziLCpSsholOo7s9qQ70wbe6CVQpG2wgVK9hOCL0v6TF7PI6ZOakotOJTBdvsSDUzx8wFLW5VtqRShc2LYVlfPg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Finney County health department and emergency medical services directors described recurring structural and safety problems at their buildings and told the Board of County Commissioners those deficiencies affect operations, staff recruitment and public service delivery.

Shruti Chhabra, director of the Finney County Health Department, said the health department has occupied its current building since 1991 and several systems and spaces are failing. She reported repeated flooding into the basement and clinical areas because of foundation and drainage issues, and said the elevator will not function during flooding events. That flooding, she said, forces infection‑control protocols and raises mold risk. Chhabra said the clinic lacks adequate exam rooms, has inadequate storage for pharmaceuticals and supplies, the WIC program occupies a poorly ventilated basement space and the vaccine refrigerator footprint is too small for demand.

Skyler Soares, Finney County EMS director, described parallel problems at the EMS facility. He said roof and foundation leaks continue after a roofing repair, and that dormitory rooms have no external windows and the building lacks a dedicated fire‑suppression system in those sleeping quarters. Soares said the oversized garage door operators and the parking lot need frequent repair; the EMS fleet is six ambulances and the department expects two units per station once planned facilities are online. Soares said recruits and prospective employees view facilities when deciding whether to join the agency and that an updated, purpose‑built EMS headquarters would aid recruitment and retention.

Fire Chief (name on record) provided a monthly and year‑end overview of fire department operations: call volumes rose in 2024 compared with 2023 (fires and alarms were higher), total call hours approached 3,000 and training hours for personnel were almost 12,000 for the year. The chief reported average response time metrics (dispatch to on‑scene averages near two minutes) and briefed commissioners on outreach programs including smoke‑detector distribution grants.

Commissioners discussed joint facilities and storage. The administrator said the county expects to reuse the existing EMS building for secure storage for county departments (health, EMS, emergency management) if a new facility is built, rather than constructing new storage. Commissioners suggested the county explore whether co‑location with city fire stations could meet needs, but EMS staff said earlier reviews indicated space limitations would make sharing other stations difficult.

Commissioners expressed support for pursuing modern, purpose‑built facilities and highlighted the public‑safety benefits of updated infrastructure for response and staff safety.","County health and EMS directors described chronic structural and space problems at their facilities and warned those problems hamper service delivery and staff recruitment; the fire chief reported higher 2024 call volume and robust training activity.",{"_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},6327414,"Garden City says RHID remains primary housing tool; county, city officials warned about tax‑shift impacts",579,591000,1170000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2322425-8f992f12d3086a8826b3339ae71dfb28&start=591&end=1170","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2322425-8f992f12d3086a8826b3339ae71dfb28/thumbnail_591000.jpg","/articles/6327414/Finney-County/Kansas/Garden-City-says-RHID-remains-primary-housing-tool-county-city-officials-warned-about-taxshift-impacts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6327414-ffd70916a6ac35226e502f3b3b95ea74/orig.mp4?Expires=1773078631&Signature=fMslAvIWUTfmbrv1D3G5xAwCGzQwSlzZ3xLXyar0Y0Ev2z7MEvuB-3-FyxHtHD9xkbPxp6RMPpkhZpEeJY-~aDkX7ZNza9M2oJ7bDTFDs9pPJX53ob9xsxkDQNyoZxXNAFfCitje1N37HikkZbTmNRoIY-kYo-hqUZwTvCWcPJiO542goYt2KDIfu~zGxq7U2nbde39hSiEHPQ97hheXWpiJuEGpSF~bsg4zQ5jGwF500IIEn5LQ2Cb7Q1PdYgtKIpoh5eAgG-XtLTRxnomdR05vIoLZU-fZkOCZukmLcNXXlLQN-ONWF2rXgeyzIeigvhhorJHl~JsSamFVZT0kjA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Garden City officials told the Finney County Board of County Commissioners that the Reinvestment Housing Incentive District, commonly called RHID, is the municipality’s primary tool for encouraging housing development, but current output falls far short of projected need.

Danielle Burke, assistant city manager for Garden City, told the commission the city and county partner to produce a biennial “chat report” that tracks housing need. “If we assume a 2% annual growth rate … we can anticipate that we’re gonna need almost 4,000 new units, new front doors by 02/1935,” Burke said in the presentation; she later clarified that figure in the slides was the projection from the end of 2024 and reflects a rear‑view snapshot. Using a longer‑term 1.28% growth assumption reduces the projected shortfall but still leaves roughly 2,400 units needed under that scenario.

Burke reviewed permitting and certificates‑of‑occupancy trends for single‑family and multifamily housing. She said 2022 saw the largest multifamily construction activity in recent years—driven largely by the Hunters Glen quadplex project—but permitting and occupancy remain uneven: “On the multifamily side … in 2022, we had 94 permits for multifamily,” she said, and noted a mismatch between multiple permits pulled up front and single certificates of occupancy issued for multifamily structures when units are completed together.

The city’s RHID inventory shows about 1,200 units currently in the queue, Burke said, but many of those developments remain unbuilt. She explained how RHID works: developers are reimbursed for eligible infrastructure expenses up front, and the incremental property taxes generated by the development flow to the developer for a period defined in the RHID agreement; taxing entities receive only the base taxes until the RHID expires or the eligible reimbursements are complete.

Commissioners pressed the city on constraints. Commissioner Mike Yoots asked whether the review would include local workforce capacity; Burke and Lana Duvall, president and CEO of the Finney County Economic Development Corporation, said building trades capacity and partnerships with the community college affect construction timelines. “We’ve got builders here that, have a long, long list of projects … and they’re making good headway,” Burke said. Duvall added that RHIDs are intended to bring people and jobs to the community and produce offsets such as increased sales tax revenues: “When we are doing our HIDs, we are … investing in the future, but we are also assuming that additional revenues come with those individuals,” Duvall said.

Commissioners also raised fiscal concerns. The commission chairman told the group that while RHIDs can stimulate development, the county must be mindful of tax shifts that place service costs onto existing taxpayers: “The people that occupy our growth and the services that are demanded … are then absorbed by the other remaining taxpayers,” he said, noting the county’s usable tax base declined by roughly $500,000 in the prior year even as total valuation increased.

Burke and Duvall answered questions about Hunters Glen phases (Burke said Hunters Glen 3A will have 44 units and 3B 68 units) and offered to provide more detailed slides on individual RHID projects if commissioners wanted them. Burke said the city is updating other tools such as the neighborhood revitalization program and continued to emphasize RHID as Garden City’s principal development mechanism since about 2012.

The presentation concluded with an offer from city staff to return with more detailed project schedules, and commissioners encouraged further work on workforce capacity and coordination with the county on future RHID approvals.","City officials presented a housing update to the Finney County commissioners that showed a multi‑year shortfall in housing production and reiterated use of the Reinvestment Housing Incentive District (RHID) program as the main tool for development; commissioners raised concerns about delayed tax revenue return to local taxing entities.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission orders RFPs after Raftelis explains organizational scan; firm says it does not offer salary studies

Votes at a glance: appointments, emergency declaration, sewer rates, RFPs and interim administrator approved

County health, EMS and fire officials describe aging buildings and operational strain; commissioners back facility planning

Garden City says RHID remains primary housing tool; county, city officials warned about tax‑shift impacts