[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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",[32,75,87],{"_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":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6592593,"mediaKeyId","2835490-8419fc0f79095e10aab8bbecc8dbcae2","parentId",2835490,"title","County administrator outlines legislative developments affecting Saline County budgets, elections and economic grants","audioSeconds",320,"startMs",4523000,"endMs",4843000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2835490-8419fc0f79095e10aab8bbecc8dbcae2&start=4523&end=4843","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2835490-8419fc0f79095e10aab8bbecc8dbcae2/thumbnail_4523000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6592593/Saline-County/Kansas/County-administrator-outlines-legislative-developments-affecting-Saline-County-budgets-elections-and-economic-grants","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6592593-8d2d4a76041e3609a4e2c9bd6b6fc0ed/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138018&Signature=kNAx5-aXCAUXg9DKyicUrMONEAqR~PUjNhDaq8V6abnuLq7v6ypwEUjvf-pmFcIsQIgfhuTs4LHJvJNDSGUHPKXxUxYGimQX-lnXW-e-UZgcwQi20c8T9v9oOnpL-kiqoKSvlsh3Xq7B3pX0Cxcdb7LobjFf1j8q2zSgExjIDJwbYG6wA4GpziTNSyVKAVIKD~~2ry6lycFwo7d6o2ZvCXOcViML~6tPH1r~zW~oYzyUzkwSjV~MqIZ47IgW9vAhvLoHPHIvJ8apuDwYw6TiLUlCQnD2IowBpvl~sA9T41iaiWy231RUOmbDaO88gAclNYVu4NqSxinX5di7JsNhLQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Saline County, KS","date","2025-04-01T15:33:47.097Z","article","County Administrator Phil provided the Board of Commissioners with a legislative update on April 1, summarizing actions from the state legislature at first adjournment and the expected effects for Saline County.

Phil said property-tax reform did not advance this session except for a reduction of 1.5 mills for the state facilities fund, a change that could affect local budgets in fiscal 2026. He said the legislature eliminated the three-day grace period for mail-in ballots; beginning January 2026 a mail ballot must be in the county clerk's office on election day rather than accepted if postmarked on election day and returned within three days. Phil also said a fast-track permitting bill passed but is limited to residential construction, that bills limiting the timing of special elections were approved, and that proposals to change how battery energy storage systems are taxed did not pass.

On economic development and local projects, Phil outlined several budget items that had support in the legislature and were included in the draft state budget sent to the governor: reappropriations for maintenance and repair at Salina and Topeka airports, funding to support K-State Salina strategic partnerships and a UAS certification innovation grant, $1,000,000 for maintenance at the Kansas Highway Patrol training academy, authority and funding aimed at behavioral health inpatient support targeted to Salina Regional, and support for graduate medical education and rural residency programs.

Phil told commissioners these items could support local infrastructure and workforce development depending on the governor's final actions and that other proposals (including changes to BESS taxation and a treasurer's fee increase for motor vehicles) failed during the session. He emphasized that the session was a \"mixed bag\" for counties but that several local priorities received funding or authorization in the proposed budget.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions about specific items and directed staff to follow up on local implementation matters where appropriate. Phil said staff will monitor the governor's actions during the veto session and report back on any changes that affect county planning or budgets.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Saline County Commission Meeting - April 1, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","County Administrator Phil summarized outcomes from the state legislature including a 1.5-mill reduction for the state facilities fund, elimination of the three-day mail-ballot grace period starting January 2026, and several economic development and infrastructure appropriations that could affect local projects.","taxTitle","Saline County, Kansas","taxId",55342,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6592597,"Saline County proclaims April Sexual Assault Awareness Month; DVAC outlines events and 24/7 services",302,515000,817000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2835490-8419fc0f79095e10aab8bbecc8dbcae2&start=515&end=817","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2835490-8419fc0f79095e10aab8bbecc8dbcae2/thumbnail_515000.jpg","/articles/6592597/Saline-County/Kansas/Saline-County-proclaims-April-Sexual-Assault-Awareness-Month-DVAC-outlines-events-and-247-services","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6592597-c9f711416a46dd670242a9bd870dbe91/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138018&Signature=htF4i~OEDUjPyMGh8WtBMUONL-7ACHLuENECtUPK~ryrBwu8j6egsu-ixR49R6as-wZU70Lja1s6DJGD185ghThZm4cYVk~MHXTasHp8YTERbjClLd9vcEeI3aXoTtH9CU8-oXhIHQaTE8pOFcOEhQzP1T45ZzM67zptV0lF5aEP4ApeK35ZY8dIppxLF7xXPQ7-TeLC7N7-MwuTACcpfWV9CPbHMUU7lxh0baqiiNi2MODP3mbZ5QIsOcKbhfNIYLQ0RzZrWJKbPaSsP1VRH~xtkSpsWSlCBNl9au66Fkv-0KuJe5K0m-D8zPexhePA5~K3dyVEmnA3EQg5GqigLg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Saline County Board of Commissioners on April 1 unanimously proclaimed April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month following a presentation from Mary Cookson, a victim advocate with the Domestic Violence Association of Central Kansas (DVAC).

Mary Cookson told the commission that April is nationally designated to educate the public, honor survivors and raise awareness of sexual violence. Cookson said DVAC provides free, confidential services 24 hours a day to victims in Saline County and listed the local hotline, (785) 827-5862, for immediate assistance. She described DVAC's planned local events including a teal-day kickoff, a candlelight vigil on April 7 at Kansas Wesleyan University, a \"night of action\" silent disco on April 11 at Kansas Wesleyan, Denim Day on April 30 and a crafternoon at the Kansas Wesleyan Library on April 29.

In her presentation Cookson cited statewide and local statistics included in the draft proclamation: an incidence rate cited for Kansas (one reported incident to law enforcement every 7 hours, 51 minutes and 23 seconds in the figures she read) and 304 incidents reported in Saline County in 2023; the draft's figures said only one arrest was recorded for those county incidents, representing about 2.9 percent of reported cases. Cookson and the proclamation text highlighted barriers victims face, including fear, stigma and gaps in resources.

A commissioner moved and another seconded the proclamation; the board voted by voice and the motion carried. The adopted proclamation asks the community to support survivors and publicizes DVAC services and events for April.

Cookson requested community participation in DVAC events and said advocates were circulating a pledge to \"believe survivors when they come forward,\" a step the organization uses to encourage supportive responses in the community.

No additional funding or county program changes were presented with the proclamation; it is a formal recognition and awareness action by the board.","The Board of Commissioners proclaimed April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month after a presentation from the Domestic Violence Association of Central Kansas (DVAC). DVAC described local incident and arrest statistics for Saline County, offered hotline information and listed community events planned for the month.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6592602,"Saline County sends battery energy storage zoning language back to planning commission after public concerns",3630,850000,4480000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2835490-8419fc0f79095e10aab8bbecc8dbcae2&start=850&end=4480","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2835490-8419fc0f79095e10aab8bbecc8dbcae2/thumbnail_850000.jpg","/articles/6592602/Saline-County/Kansas/Saline-County-sends-battery-energy-storage-zoning-language-back-to-planning-commission-after-public-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6592602-09e686d20139aec31aacfb725148aee7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138018&Signature=YaDdNavB4B~PXwSzNoxRSZ2kB20MiU3f8dyVlYq1-2fQRxGjXAnd8e3KOJJfI9CcJ6MmEEkpCnQ~iEr5Hp7Py97rvbDCVYZb03riWRA3LglcxdRE2sUnM69pac5ylVZfA9mrLoawZbZSfVqi5~hxpSJ--~V47xotrbBQ7TBd1MQXD4-UIYZr48OlwJU6mxyfWa~7eKiW0KsDmgF4UFVTuQhnvPSXbmCVqv7RUtRW8lTpNt9XldwcMfFd~5c456eRFUK0mMRU4UyCl0L7YYGG8yxDKTbv7V~Bpo~lzGuUPh6Z3M2pr-D1qVPfJ9EWHNzAFVzNjaZSyrUdSDgoY6O3UA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Saline County commissioners on April 1 directed staff to return a proposed resolution that would add battery energy storage systems (BESS) to the county zoning code to the planning commission for further review.

The measure would amend chapter 13 to permit BESS in unincorporated Saline County through the conditional use permit process and sets baseline standards including a maximum single-site area of 20 acres adjacent to an electrical substation, setbacks based on NFPA 855 chapter 9, a $1,000,000 general liability requirement and a conditional-use duration tied to a typical 25-year project life. Tim Hamilton, the county planning and zoning administrator, told commissioners that the planning commission recommended approval after public input and that staff supported the resolution as drafted.

The vote to send the resolution back to the planning commission followed more than an hour of public comment. Dozens of residents urged revisions to the draft ordinance, saying the 20-acre limit was excessive and asking for larger setbacks and stronger environmental and safety protections. \"Allowing 20 acres of battery development, next to every substation is excessive by any standards,\" resident Carolyn Sichle said, adding that smaller sites reduce fire and environmental risks. Several speakers cited the recent Moss Landing fire in California as a reason to require larger buffers and mandatory air, soil and water testing after any thermal event.

Hamilton summarized key elements of the draft: caps on site acreage, limits that would prevent BESS on NRCS capability class 1 or 2 soils, setback and buffering requirements tied to NFPA 855 chapter 9 (with the planning commission able to increase setbacks for particular sites), requirements for first-responder training, and a decommissioning plan addressing reclamation and disposal. He said the resolution is primarily procedural — establishing standards and the conditional-use review path — and that specific applications would be reviewed case by case.

Speakers from the public pressed for specific changes: lowering the maximum site size to 10 acres, requiring at least a half-mile setback from homes, schools and wetlands, specifying immediate public notification procedures for extraordinary events, annual owner-funded testing of soil, water and air, and higher liability insurance limits. Several commenters asked that the draft reference the full NFPA 855 standard rather than only chapter 9. The Audubon Society of Kansas warned of risks to insects and birds if adjacent lands are altered.

Commission discussion emphasized that the draft came from a year-long planning process and public input, but that several commissioners agreed the planning commission should reconsider language on acreage, notification, testing, insurance amounts and lighting/visual impacts. A motion to direct staff to pursue alternative 2 — return the draft to the planning commission to address those concerns — passed by voice vote.

The planning and zoning department will receive the commission's direction and may return a revised resolution to the commission for final action. Any future conditional-use application for a BESS would be considered separately, with site-specific conditions and potential additional public hearings.

Votes at a glance: the commission voted to send the proposed zoning amendment back to the planning commission for further consideration; the motion carried on a voice vote after a second.

Context: Planning staff said the draft aims to provide a local review path for BESS while referencing national codes and standards. Multiple residents recommended benchmarking other jurisdictions and noted recent state and federal attention to battery storage safety, including a California bill (Assembly Bill 303) mentioned by a commenter as the Battery Energy Safety and Accountability Act in development after the Moss Landing incident.","County commissioners voted to send a proposed amendment to the zoning code — which would allow battery energy storage systems (BESS) in unincorporated Saline County via conditional use permit — back to the planning commission for revision after extensive public comment on setbacks, site size, insurance and testing requirements.","actionData","errors"]

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County administrator outlines legislative developments affecting Saline County budgets, elections and economic grants

Saline County proclaims April Sexual Assault Awareness Month; DVAC outlines events and 24/7 services

Saline County sends battery energy storage zoning language back to planning commission after public concerns