[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6612306,"mediaKeyId","2891816-bc02f417d7316709da8adff7747fe0c7","parentId",2891816,"title","Flint Hills regional EV readiness study urges planning, I-70 charging and parking-code updates","audioSeconds",753,"startMs",7235000,"endMs",7988000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2891816-bc02f417d7316709da8adff7747fe0c7&start=7235&end=7988","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2891816-bc02f417d7316709da8adff7747fe0c7/thumbnail_7235000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6612306/Geary-County/Kansas/Flint-Hills-regional-EV-readiness-study-urges-planning-I-70-charging-and-parking-code-updates","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612306-b7beae65c19cfa28a39de15499a09254/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141169&Signature=KL1X7HOLD9iVlvL9MFrMTlj8OPow9cdT0L5eCjFlzXu5O2h5JOMHE-meiBavNuUslk3m5zeMVaf-5e5pY1atvR~~WlZMU3GfcdzJc6AHjAfuhnvacq1ZpkSoBLKS36DP~9RPASZuGGWuFjmZ9a7YNON6Ozt1gH1nzSy-M8CHkQWIosOzBAq4YBPmESYImkC3-5UyRVrze-kr0Fxo3ACLtHA8nFeovLp77m8zjP0b7xGdMyBWYA5ORx~zP6Htgaf1wdBUkioVWxHtQ5Uvjcs3xjpGWqOqk2ChgsxByT1jbBnTgbuhQSCZzO4x2GXMjZdZIK1xgt-c4Lwm9zrpxHdYaw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Geary County, KS","date","2025-04-07T18:36:27.903Z","article","Jared Trumbull, planning manager for the Flint Hills Metropolitan Planning Organization, presented an electric-vehicle (EV) readiness plan for the region and described infrastructure, policy and permitting steps the county and partner communities should consider.

Trumbull emphasized the study is diagnostic rather than prescriptive: it reviews current conditions, models future demand and suggests policy and permitting changes to accommodate private-sector installation of EV chargers. The plan focuses on light vehicles and charging behavior (most charging occurs at home and uses Level 2 chargers; longer trips use DC fast-charging/Level 3).

Key findings and recommendations included:

- Charging gaps on I-70: federal NEVI guidance aims for DC fast chargers about every 50 miles along designated interstates; Trumbull said Junction City is a logical candidate for an I-70 fast-charging site (to serve travelers between Abilene and Alma) and that corridor-level facilities must provide 24-hour bathrooms and other traveler services.

- Local public-charging inventory: the region has many Level 2 chargers concentrated around Manhattan; Junction City currently has limited public Level 2/3 options (Trumbull noted a public charger at a local pharmacy and chargers in Manhattan) and no comprehensive DC fast-charging hub on the I-70 corridor within Geary County.

- Utility planning: Evergy participated in stakeholder discussions and told planners the Flint Hills region should be able to meet mid-range EV adoption scenarios without generation shortfalls; however, Trumbull said distribution and transmission upgrades will still be needed as EV charging grows.

- Zoning, permitting and parking: the report recommends adopting zoning updates and permitting streamlining (for example, requiring conduit for future charging in new parking lots, considering percentage-ready design standards and addressing multiunit housing permitting). Trumbull said retrofitting parking and building infrastructure is frequently far more expensive than incorporating conduit and design in new construction.

- Policy and charging economics: the presentation noted current debates over how EVs contribute to road funding (fuel taxes vs. fees on electricity/road-user charges). Trumbull also noted pilot proposals (including proposals to levy a cents-per-kWh fee on public charging) and that EV owners currently pay a state administrative registration fee in lieu of fuel taxes in Kansas.

Trumbull closed by urging local governments to review zoning and permitting for new commercial and multiunit developments, coordinate with Evergy on potential future sites and consider I-70 fast-charging locations as a means to attract traveler spending. The commission received the presentation and asked staff to remain engaged with regional partners on permitting and siting issues.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Geary County Commission 04/07/25 #3","oneSentenceSummary","A regional electric-vehicle readiness plan presented to the commission recommended updating zoning and permitting to prepare for EV charging, identified gaps on I-70 and said Evergy does not foresee generation shortfalls for projected mid-range EV adoption; the presentation urged local planning to enable private investment in public chargers.","taxTitle","Geary County, Kansas","taxId",63542,"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},6612311,"Register of Deeds reports quarter one collections, continues indexing backlog project",519,6069000,6588000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2891816-bc02f417d7316709da8adff7747fe0c7&start=6069&end=6588","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2891816-bc02f417d7316709da8adff7747fe0c7/thumbnail_6069000.jpg","/articles/6612311/Geary-County/Kansas/Register-of-Deeds-reports-quarter-one-collections-continues-indexing-backlog-project","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612311-5f0a5f550ebb4f01ec62942db899f24c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141169&Signature=OptvU-KtAIx87GydOyf3fCH2WoTfgL69gXeUjObzFE9Qtz7XdznnU8VQm5mf4J36cNBcOUAR8PHnUf~F3-k1GcytDgr6j8cAkSw4b5JIIzFYw~U5QUwDAjOTOSlid9r~cfTVP-5Nq6wO5WPgErGOQ5ZcdrWM-uOoUGZnin8r1LCdVPHX8yBApdFcFrJ82fy1dgnt5ab0KiJ8uIIhX3OESrDkGlp3RXPJCAWB9yWYgR7id8UIE0ej7ikWz0YM1CutvN0nMwG~X6zmfYblM9KB-Tm~djMZuHeMKNF70ndsVdNkfeqqsAVMdFwXQqFrdschqJuvnH-jBFUCNSb-xJS~cg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jackie Risinger, Geary County Register of Deeds, presented the office's first-quarter financial and activity report to the commission.

Risinger said for January through March 2025 the office collected $82,510 in total revenue: $55,379 in filing fees and $10,279 in copy money (which includes online subscriptions for title companies). Other deposits included $4,213 to the Heritage Trust Fund, $8,426 to the registered-deeds technology fund, and $2,106.50 each to the clerk-tech and treasurer-tech funds. The net amounts to the general fund (file fees and copy money) totaled $65,658.

Document counts for the quarter were 788 total recorded instruments: 237 deeds, 211 mortgages, 78 releases, 34 assignments, 17 miscellaneous documents, 11 surveys and zero plats. Risinger said valid sales (SVQs) reported for the quarter were 58.

Risinger told the commission the office continues an indexing project to process scanned images back to 1980; staff are currently indexing 1983 and expect to finish the mass-indexing work this year. She said records originally on microfiche/cards were digitized and the office is manually indexing to add searchable metadata.

On customer service changes, Risinger said the office has signed up for CanPay and is preparing to accept credit-card payments for copies; she expects to begin routine use once internal testing and coordination with the treasurer's office is complete.

Risinger also noted she had completed a professional training course for registers and is available to support new registers in other counties. The commission accepted the report.","Register Jackie Risinger reported $82,510 collected in Q1 (file fees, copy money and tech fees), described document counts and ongoing indexing work to bring scanned records online back to 1980; office has signed up for CanPay to accept credit-card payments for copies.",{"_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},6612316,"Public works opens bids, awards haying lease and approves chemical, mower purchases; FEMA reimburses county for 2024 storm work",1036,1972000,3008000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2891816-bc02f417d7316709da8adff7747fe0c7&start=1972&end=3008","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2891816-bc02f417d7316709da8adff7747fe0c7/thumbnail_1972000.jpg","/articles/6612316/Geary-County/Kansas/Public-works-opens-bids-awards-haying-lease-and-approves-chemical-mower-purchases-FEMA-reimburses-county-for-2024-storm-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612316-f2ab9e7c7aae51d22772d106b67e8104/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141169&Signature=LRe7GbWaNTL2nGBaiAzChGHL~Nb90veGlBTxu9QZh40SK72V~byqNZj7zy2jhKOhDsg3kHtvNZ9jToctAazxEaNMci1OmowkcuBIj54QVO3~4xcZhXXocqB~1eLkbpCa41lEUH6MVXacCOdGxd~yv54e8zI00rQuK~kSkoHKhL2Nt-ZM8dI5kTfPe-0xjvROorYSeAU4yTwUbp0jE6Btwr0vEiX7jppGbS3I1HuZQPqH~gdHhh~LODz7tok1KaU0zmhiUyZXv-F0-p0us0UV5UIU2t46YtKqzm2B4j-l066mndSLJi9YIjpjCa-siCmH8ZzkPwmHF7OQlZF7T6mj6g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Geary County Public Works Administrator Jeremy Myers presented several procurement items, project updates and a FEMA reimbursement to the county commission.

Haying lease: The county solicited bids for a three-year haying lease for landfill property (2025'2027). Myers opened the single bid received from David Munson of Munson Angus Farms at $50 per acre for a total of $2,735. Commissioners voted to approve the three-year lease and instructed staff to finalize details with the bidder; Myers noted fertilization would be at the awarded party's expense and that the land had not been fertilized for the coming season.

KDOT annual report: Myers asked for and the commission approved submission of the county engineer's annual road-and-bridge operating report to the Kansas Department of Transportation.

Noxious-weed chemicals: After evaluating bids, Public Works recommended accepting the low bid from Van Deese Supply for chemical treatments at a total recommended cost of $35,091.26 (2025). The commission approved the purchase; Myers noted the 2024 cost had been $36,439.91 and that the chemical budget line for 2025 was $59,000.

Equipment purchase: Public Works requested approval to purchase a HUSQVARNA (commercial) 0-turn mower at a cost of $10,416 using Sourcewell cooperative pricing and existing capital-outlay budget lines. The commission approved the purchase.

FEMA reimbursement: Myers told the commission the county received $409,740.89 reimbursement on March 25 for work tied to Disaster 4774 (the January 2024 winter storm). Myers said the federal share was 75%, the state share 10% and the county share 15%. He noted an outstanding administrative request (Category Z) could yield an additional $6,567.38 once finalized.

Open bids and CIP notes: Myers opened two sealed bids for the county shop restroom renovation (Riley Construction $73,150 and Kendall Construction $61,300) and said staff would perform arithmetic checks and return with a recommendation. He also reported work on CIP projects, described the Old Milford Road box replacement project as nearing final punch-list walk-through with KDOT, and announced upcoming bid deadlines for several concrete and seal-coat projects. Myers and staff also discussed the possibility of a county-wide free transfer-station day as a community cleanup event; commissioners asked Public Works to develop options for future consideration.

Cloud County Community College mowing quotes: The department solicited quotes and received five responses; Myers said staff would return with recommendations.

The commission approved the items requiring votes and directed staff to return with recommendations on open bid awards and the free transfer-station proposal.","Public works presented multiple procurement items: a three-year landfill haying lease was awarded, the county accepted the low bid for 2025 noxious-weed chemicals, approved a replacement commercial mower and reported a $409,740.89 FEMA reimbursement for a January 2024 storm project.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6612320,"Emergency management reports storm-planning work, commodity-flow study and regional hazard-mitigation kickoff",410,1060000,1470000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2891816-bc02f417d7316709da8adff7747fe0c7&start=1060&end=1470","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2891816-bc02f417d7316709da8adff7747fe0c7/thumbnail_1060000.jpg","/articles/6612320/Geary-County/Kansas/Emergency-management-reports-storm-planning-work-commodity-flow-study-and-regional-hazard-mitigation-kickoff","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612320-fee26a97450d12b6517c66fd64601847/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141169&Signature=MuKMFh4kf0fhd6Ao680wz89rARdxJLb5XzMV6v7-nzG9pjYJ805~df6VkI2tzF1qAiM3VEOV1kWfDzwswKOqyodRiTNxQRWky--RTF9wKB4AYnXcq-ywT4uIYOfynTRXzxGn6jK9JlIkFfYASa6gt3EnX8ZLbyGZJbdtqcxC~GyL~RiX1hFzaD-zKpVRK0XNUrrt2E5cKvIb1hW9G~i1DG~xjYLJnPHa8zIjoH~Zfcw-~PpKRkl1ep85o2k8zgZHyz3rlA09rimn-L-~eh5XXiXSIZYE5aYe-NtMbb~uFgYBvzzum1utli5JaROkGJJ-B4KHHXEzi6VxL8VmyYO0ag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Gary Burgess, Geary County emergency management director and rural fire chief, briefed the commission on recent incident activity, preparedness projects and regional planning work.

Burgess said the county's rural fire departments had handled about 20 to 30 calls in the reporting period, including vehicle and building fires and multiple-call incidents during severe-weather days. He reported that a new truck is in progress and that maintenance and condition assessments are under way for much of the aging fleet; Burgess noted some apparatus date back to the 1960s and 1980s, and the county is planning CIP funding for replacement.

On grant and planning work, Burgess said the Flint Hills Regional Council will circulate a survey to counties in the region to identify emergency-management needs that could support a regional grant application; the state will provide matching funds for qualified projects. He also reported the USDA loan the rural fire districts pursued is currently on hold.

The county is participating in a seven-county commodity-flow study that documents hazardous materials moving via road, rail and pipeline. Burgess said the first round of observation showed roughly 2'.5% of heavy trucks carried reportable hazardous quantities (goods below 999 pounds may not be placarded but still pose risk); the study will repeat observations and produce a regional report.

Burgess reported a kickoff meeting for the federally required five-year hazard-mitigation plan for Region 7 (the same seven counties). The regional plan is a precondition for many FEMA and state mitigation grants, he said, and the planning consultant's work will run several months with community engagement.

On storm shelters, Burgess said the Junction City manager had invited emergency-services department heads to discuss whether the city should identify or develop shelters and where they would be located. Burgess described liability and operational challenges raised by earlier conversations'for example, who would staff and open a shelter during watches versus warnings, whether shelters would accept pets and whether churches or other community facilities would be used.

Burgess said storm-spotter training had drawn roughly 70 attendees and noted the National Weather Service may move more sessions online due to its resource constraints. He closed by saying emergency managers will continue to coordinate with city leaders, police, fire and other agencies as the shelter discussion proceeds.

","Geary County emergency director outlined recent fire responses, training, a seven-county commodity-flow study, hazard-mitigation planning and early discussions about storm shelters with the city; the USDA loan is on hold and a regional grant survey will be circulated by Flint Hills Regional Council.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6612325,"Geary County finance staff report general fund, ARPA and sales-tax positions in good order",805,68000,873000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2891816-bc02f417d7316709da8adff7747fe0c7&start=68&end=873","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2891816-bc02f417d7316709da8adff7747fe0c7/thumbnail_68000.jpg","/articles/6612325/Geary-County/Kansas/Geary-County-finance-staff-report-general-fund-ARPA-and-sales-tax-positions-in-good-order","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612325-889a0dd6473e2079dae591272cba616a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141169&Signature=cpBJWW~I4F5gEAle98wCuGnKi-vUyEFPdH5-pkQQbEJSc-PgiSKyq6rChhQEu7iiCyi5MRsFwJgjIHRDNRjTqOSnusuRgfUMdViDJ3Gft7wawKAm8aA6hKDisax32K0jfys7WCvVAe7VufXaGxRB7xletLAEd7sfUGulampFoj2sbZCJHK5VqvVkzZuq7te9x4zdAVotEwIstIDYZOKn9lo~uNyoVXPlGFdouKob~-f53sfTKlVEBQA0ZtpHMjXdIy3AdIqnkkTMT2MDM7cyufv-oUr85PRuDiIQ~4WN~gVS1cakictg1Pbg0tCqNGyV3hF92493cJ3~x5XW3PGwhQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Geary County finance staff delivered an update to the Board of Commissioners showing routine timing-driven variances across departmental budgets, a closed ARPA reporting period and sales-tax receipts that are modestly ahead of last year.

Finance staff reported countywide spending and revenues about 25% into the year. Building maintenance had a $705,005.38 ending cash balance after an initial $250,000 transfer earlier in the year and $47,003 in expenditures recorded in the report. Capital improvement project (CIP) cash flows were described as healthy after taking out reserve funds and approved-but-unspent projects; staff reported about $3,000,000 available in CIP funds.

In other financial items, staff said they submitted the county's ARPA compliance report within the federal window (reporting submitted April 2). The county has closed out its ARPA allocations internally and will complete the auditor's compliance review during the routine audit process.

Staff also reviewed payroll and departmental variance notes, explaining that payroll comparisons use pay periods (26 per year) rather than calendar months. A small number of departments showed higher-than-expected payroll percentages largely because of a workers' compensation payment due early in the year; staff said the payment and small headcounts explained the variance and flagged no ongoing concern.

Sales tax collections were specifically updated. Finance staff corrected an earlier report and said the county general sales tax is at 33.15% of budget and the hospital-dedicated sales tax is at 26.35% of its budget at 25% of the fiscal year. After adjustments, the county was roughly $43,000 ahead on the county side and $23,000 ahead on the hospital-dedicated tax compared with the same point in the prior year. Staff reminded commissioners the hospital-dedicated tax was budgeted with a planned 2.0'.5% annual increase built into long-term assumptions; staff said the levy would not be adjusted immediately because reserves were available to smooth shortfalls.

The treasurer's office's recent internal allocation changes were noted as an operational matter; staff told the commission an adjustment had been made in distributions to ensure smaller taxing entities did not run short before the last distribution of the year. Staff indicated that was a timing/administrative strategy and that the practice may or may not continue going forward.

No formal changes to tax levies or budgets were proposed during the briefing. Staff said they will return with any matters that require formal action as they arise.","County finance staff said routine cash flows and reserves are healthy at 25% through the fiscal year, ARPA reporting is closed and sales-tax receipts are ahead of last year; staff flagged timing variances in department spending but no immediate budget threats.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Flint Hills regional EV readiness study urges planning, I-70 charging and parking-code updates

Register of Deeds reports quarter one collections, continues indexing backlog project

Public works opens bids, awards haying lease and approves chemical, mower purchases; FEMA reimburses county for 2024 storm work

Emergency management reports storm-planning work, commodity-flow study and regional hazard-mitigation kickoff

Geary County finance staff report general fund, ARPA and sales-tax positions in good order