[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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],{"_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",6519268,"mediaKeyId","5362335-8f2ebb52d4a159e42199fac9d285e826","parentId",5362335,"title","Votes at a glance: Commission approves rezoning, accepts final plat and files notice of revenue-neutral intent","audioSeconds",3357,"startMs",3275315,"endMs",6633290,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5362335-8f2ebb52d4a159e42199fac9d285e826&start=3275&end=6633","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5362335-8f2ebb52d4a159e42199fac9d285e826/thumbnail_3275315.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6519268/Dickinson-County/Kansas/Votes-at-a-glance-Commission-approves-rezoning-accepts-final-plat-and-files-notice-of-revenue-neutral-intent","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6519268-28cd2e34cb379c5084010e089d3ce72c/orig.mp4?Expires=1775559126&Signature=eIGSudGEolcMSA4YQ0TI73CNy2TkM9zcxtly4kj7OAIfDGfQoRXA0NQevEFBB5fuYq5WuWlL53~TxV9rsILBxrHRpnUPBVqydMHJQSJ8X3plQie2zlNFSODUDOvNBVJNHUkitulBoL0yC8aZLQ8wb89CcxvdOR2ekRBg7U7gnI5DgX0ntZxklNs0M0alfTCHJ4sh7qOL2E44Hfe3~3cT-4DhG4WP7UY8LbkWREGkcuoKZ8TCu1lej8Wg6wtxaQUMBUYttPWSc9mhsX8168-M28P2PNEURJcfJqE81TcYkTc4XUoVLUUnTzMbXgxS3q-j56EBJU1R~cL0vCydMUtQ6Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Dickinson County, KS","date","2025-07-10T20:02:03Z","article","The Dickinson County Commission took several formal, largely procedural votes during the meeting.

• Agenda and consent: The commission approved the meeting agenda as amended and adopted the consent agenda, which included minutes, expenditures and routine items. Staff reported the packet’s expenditures totaled $1,374,819.51; other items on the consent agenda included hand checks and indigent defense costs. The motions to approve the agenda and the consent agenda passed by voice vote.

• Rezoning — Resolution 071025: The commission adopted Resolution 071025 to rezone a parcel in Garfield Township (Section 29, Township 14 South, Range 1 East) from AG-80 (agriculture) to S-R (suburban residential) to allow a four-lot short-form subdivision. Planning staff reported the Planning Commission recommended approval by a split vote (reported in the staff summary as \"4 1 1\" with one abstention). The county commission approved the resolution by voice vote; no roll-call tally was recorded in the meeting minutes.

• Final plat acceptance — Resolution 071025A (EmeK Country Homes/Yumei Country Homes): The commission accepted the final plat for the four-lot subdivision (identified in staff materials as EMEK Country Homes or similar spelling in different handouts). Planning staff told the commission that required easements and corrections had been provided to the planning department and that the Planning Commission had recommended approval. The commission approved the final plat by voice vote; signatures on the plat will be collected and the signed mylar returned to staff for recordation.

• Revenue-neutral rate notice / budget timing: The commission voted to submit the county’s notice of intent that it does not plan to exceed the revenue-neutral rate for the 2026 budget and to forgo a separate revenue-neutral hearing. Staff reported that, under the budget as presented, the county’s mill levy would be approximately 3.5 mills below the revenue-neutral rate and that the county is nearly three-quarters of a million dollars under a hypothetical flat mill-rate baseline from the prior year. The motion to file the notice and not hold a revenue-neutral hearing passed by voice vote.

Other items on the agenda, such as a public notice from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment regarding a feedlot discharge permit (Reynolds Feedlot), were informational and not subject to commission vote.

Motions were made and seconded for the formal items; votes were conducted by voice and recorded as \"motion carries.\" No recorded roll-call tallies were given in the meeting transcript for the primary resolutions. The commission did not take action on the funding request presented by the Dixie County Economic Development Corporation (DKDC) or on Gallagher’s benefits proposal; both were submitted for staff review and consideration in the upcoming budget and procurement work.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Commission Meeting - July 10, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At the meeting the Dickinson County Commission approved a rezoning to allow a four-lot suburban residential subdivision, accepted the final plat for that subdivision, approved agenda and consent items, and voted to submit a notice that it does not intend to exceed the revenue-neutral rate for 2026.","taxTitle","Dickinson County, Kansas","taxId",61724,"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},6519270,"Commission reviews CIP and equipment reserves; ambulances, EKG machines and fleet replacement on watch list",736,2916690,3653280,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5362335-8f2ebb52d4a159e42199fac9d285e826&start=2916&end=3653","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5362335-8f2ebb52d4a159e42199fac9d285e826/thumbnail_2916690.jpg","/articles/6519270/Dickinson-County/Kansas/Commission-reviews-CIP-and-equipment-reserves-ambulances-EKG-machines-and-fleet-replacement-on-watch-list","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6519270-8e62c4f9d68ba24090abb0837823d532/orig.mp4?Expires=1775559126&Signature=GqfQpt3lxEz9ZvHZcTqQRQrapF9R1nF96m8ZI8ErLDYRCzEkA7Nn7qCIyEGP-HN--yCilofIcL-Z1DH8T3uoRSlWYuc~Q40ReRsS3vGS78D0eXRLwy7gvLrPw4CDClpR0gXe9tO8WQ4zTwavwIoQc7~RYdQJLXye60k-bhBFkQfSEI8GN8eNZvX0uBdJLxqarmuxLHlEOlAos0TWvbOhJjOrkz2Gq7LzfwSLiMD3QY-wbPwwHwIVtFiM0zzYjmGOOYLElH55oblmCeV02NeDio3bVqVmpEjZ8cezpkPeDs1lqJb1MpxbM3WCgzClRNs0h3JldnclnGe-k~eYLCQ-3A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A county budget and finance staff member briefed the Dickinson County Commission on the fiscal 2026 capital improvement plan (CIP), equipment reserve balances and special machinery funds and outlined anticipated fleet and equipment needs.

The presenter said the CIP is a planning tool that sets aside funds for expected purchases rather than authorizing immediate expenditures. For 2026 the materials showed a planned equipment-reserve allocation (listed on the CIP pages) of $808,000; staff told the commission the county’s current equipment-reserve balance is approximately $2.2 million and that the proposed budget includes a $450,000 transfer back into the equipment reserve to maintain a healthy balance.

Key items flagged as potentially requiring replacement or funding in the next planning years included:
- EKG machines for emergency medical services: staff listed five machines at roughly $40,000 each (totaling about $200,000) as a future replacement need.
- Ambulances: the CIP included an ambulance purchase amount of $265,000 for a unit and a remount/box replacement that staff estimated at $350,000 for a later year. Staff noted that ambulance manufacturing and delivery lead times can be 12–18 months and said the county often places orders in advance to secure placement in a production queue.
- Fleet management and sheriff vehicles: sheriff units and other vehicles were listed across future years; some unit replacements have been funded through asset forfeiture dollars. Staff said vehicle timing and mileage will continue to be reviewed and that not every item on the plan will be purchased immediately.

The presenter said the county has five ambulances in service and that on occasion all units are occupied; mutual aid from neighboring counties is used when necessary. Staff also reported the special machinery fund (used for highway equipment and similar items) has about $1.4 million on hand and said many highway items can be refurbished rather than replaced.

Staff told commissioners the CIP is flexible: an item listed for a planning year does not automatically trigger an immediate purchase; purchases still require separate commission approval. The county said it is examining proposals from private fleet managers to determine whether alternative fleet-management strategies could offer financial or operational benefits.

Commissioners asked about the possibility of rebuilding trailers and extending the service life of highway equipment; staff recommended further review with the highway department and the county’s mechanics. No procurement decisions were made at the meeting; staff will return to commissioners with refined estimates as needed.","County staff reviewed the 2026 capital improvement plan, equipment reserve and special machinery funds and discussed upcoming needs including EKG replacements, ambulance purchases and sheriff vehicles. Staff said the county currently holds about $2.2 million in equipment reserves and plans a $450,000 transfer into reserves for 2026.",{"_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},6519275,"Economic development group asks Dickinson County for $125,000, outlines staffing and six strategic pillars",775,1880020,2655125,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5362335-8f2ebb52d4a159e42199fac9d285e826&start=1880&end=2655","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5362335-8f2ebb52d4a159e42199fac9d285e826/thumbnail_1880020.jpg","/articles/6519275/Dickinson-County/Kansas/Economic-development-group-asks-Dickinson-County-for-125000-outlines-staffing-and-six-strategic-pillars","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6519275-3048367d1d738b93d4afbc27b8762c12/orig.mp4?Expires=1775559126&Signature=dkXvdQalNLAUJrVvou6JHA~quKY93A0tyhqwAl11veuem0pPB8SY4s1qPHy4y5CNewS9Ge40mbfU4ewZT1yAKgL~MGfygX0y62yzbNEpNSrCAsibp0xU5sseC0aVYGJMKeLlLh~SoaoVakmruB3EjUsEJhtZ9qz9mR7zXCB8oJRV9Ndzq-q2g59I4DDIpPhQhrRSmEE4~emK0yd00jeMWZlzpDG9w8iQDhIlBCoIyWLKvPBkvHKJA0kklShy3B5YoU6aKKyVmqi6P8g9GeM0MOJtrWcd7PL1TjVAGr6k9kaffFInVegdYg-D9hhG3ZehXwoO5eUrliZgQspdAsT3Qg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Tony (chair), speaking for the board of the Dixie County Economic Development Corporation (DKDC), asked the Dickinson County Commission for an annual investment of $125,000 and described the organization's recent reorganization and strategic priorities.

Tony said the DKDC is seeking a lower county appropriation than in prior years and that the board is pursuing a national search for a permanent executive director after engaging interim director Jim Grama. He told commissioners the DKDC office is operating Monday through Friday and that the board had realigned operations while pursuing a new director.

On finances, Tony said the organization is \"financially strong,\" reporting the bulk of its assets are in certificates of deposit at local banks and that it also has funds held at a community foundation. The DKDC reported \"total assets of just over $782,000\" at the community foundation and said its equity or net worth is roughly $774,000. Tony also told the commission the organization experienced a loss in June of about $12,000 and that it was \"in the black\" for January through June of 2025 (year-to-date net figure not specified in the meeting).

Tony described six operational pillars the DKDC plans to prioritize: business retention and expansion; workforce development; government affairs; housing and community housing; investor communications and events; and day-to-day operations and financial controls. Under workforce, the DKDC said it will use a contract workforce consultant (Troy Lee) and pursue partnerships with Kansas Works and a local community college. Under housing, the DKDC said it will pursue grants and collaborate with the North Central Kansas Regional Planning Commission and local governments to support housing projects and perform housing assessments.

The DKDC told the commission it expects to continue a mix of paid staff and contract workers, and the board described plans for an assistant director or business retention & expansion consultant and potentially three full-time staff supported by contract positions.

Tony closed by saying the organization will continue fundraising and that the county’s potential support would be used to carry out the strategic plan. Commissioners thanked DKDC board members for the presentation; no formal appropriation was made at the meeting. The county commission indicated the request will be considered in the context of the county’s budget process and upcoming budget decisions.","The Dixie County (DKDC) Economic Development Corporation requested an annual county investment of $125,000 and described a reorganization, interim leadership and a six-pillar strategic plan emphasizing business retention, workforce, housing and government affairs.",{"_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},6519279,"Gallagher tells Dickinson County switching brokers could lower consultant fee; offers flat-fee proposal",1797,62390,1860025,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5362335-8f2ebb52d4a159e42199fac9d285e826&start=62&end=1860","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5362335-8f2ebb52d4a159e42199fac9d285e826/thumbnail_62390.jpg","/articles/6519279/Dickinson-County/Kansas/Gallagher-tells-Dickinson-County-switching-brokers-could-lower-consultant-fee-offers-flat-fee-proposal","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6519279-edaa16c647d3f85918b3373a9f7b7efc/orig.mp4?Expires=1775559126&Signature=kw3tLHRdWiFMJ3qzEjg8AjNG2DluDMnROWaIv4lpWAnHQrhc5mv3uJ9--OEBZtX3nCNKPOOCYavWaSLMy4uiY7l5LtdmVwxlBmKeHkessuLAi6sd93Hn6Tf8ckiaK0TH~giYD2ml6Vvc6IuQen~4UAlnUkQLm9gjcQnN1bRuFI3fUw1dt0gPMzGt2mGwJZKlVSK6siICw~NEKxDVJiFPfh8BcKcW1Yj-iWqXGpk8DIc5xhyHfYy7-aU9yMYXY3jXhB4Lfu702ZdrCWsIuutuBPKCtlfX8vYqAnZg~S4GYPDHB2jM0ukszDg7tskd67iuiLZlRqfEGGNrrjimNClduA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Andrea Taylor, an employee benefits consultant with Gallagher, and Mike Minton, Gallagher area vice president, presented to the Dickinson County Commission on the firm’s benefits consulting services and proposed becoming the county’s broker of record.

Taylor opened the presentation by thanking commissioners for the opportunity: \"Okay. First, just wanna, thank you for having us here today. We met with your team over the last couple of months and provided them with preferences to, check on. And then after that, we were invited to present to you today. So, thank you for this opportunity.\" She said Gallagher focuses on data-driven benefit strategies, local market relationships and an on-the-ground account manager.

The presentation centered on two financial points: how the county currently pays for consulting services, and Gallagher’s proposed alternative. County staff reported to Gallagher that the county’s most recent monthly medical premium payment was $123,000 with 106 employees enrolled; Gallagher presented that annualized medical premiums based on that figure are just over $1.4 million. Under the county’s current model, Gallagher said consultants earn 5% of medical premiums; Gallagher calculated that 5% of the county’s annualized premium would be about $73,906 and that the current consultant fee equated to about $58.10 per employee per month.

Gallagher proposed two changes: (1) take broker-of-record to manage the county’s current plan as-is and lead renewal negotiations, and (2) charge a fixed consulting fee rather than a percentage of premiums. Under Gallagher’s example pricing, the company estimated a consulting fee of $33.80 per employee per month (versus the county’s reported $58.10), and projected that, all else equal, the county could save roughly $22,400 in 2026. Gallagher said the county could also purchase (rather than license through its current consultant) its benefit administration platform, Employee Navigator, for an upfront cost Gallagher presented as about $8,500 the first year and roughly $6,000 per year thereafter for ongoing fees and ACA reporting support.

Mike Minton emphasized Gallagher’s compliance resources and analytics capabilities. He said Gallagher uses a data warehouse that carriers such as Blue Cross Blue Shield feed into and that the firm performs compliance reviews and annual compliance calendars for new clients.

Taylor framed the pitch as local service: \"I have a vested interest in the community and in your employees, and I want what's very best for them and for the organization as a whole, for the community, the county.\" She told commissioners Gallagher would continue existing administrative workflows if the county preferred—“We wouldn't change anything even if you said don't change a thing. We wanna keep everything as is.”

No formal action was taken at the meeting. County commissioners asked follow-up questions about the proposal and about how Gallagher would implement a transition if the county chose to change brokers. Commissioners and staff indicated they will review the materials and the sample consulting agreement Gallagher provided as part of the county’s ongoing budget and procurement work.

The presentation materials provided figures and a sample consulting agreement; Gallagher asked the commission to consider a broker-of-record letter effective Jan. 1 of the next plan year as the first step in a potential transition.","Employee benefits consultants from Gallagher presented a strategic, data-driven benefits plan to Dickinson County commissioners and proposed becoming the county’s broker, citing an estimated reduction in per-employee consulting costs and offering to transfer and own the county’s benefits administration platform.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Commission approves rezoning, accepts final plat and files notice of revenue-neutral intent

Commission reviews CIP and equipment reserves; ambulances, EKG machines and fleet replacement on watch list

Economic development group asks Dickinson County for $125,000, outlines staffing and six strategic pillars

Gallagher tells Dickinson County switching brokers could lower consultant fee; offers flat-fee proposal