[{"_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",6137240,"mediaKeyId","5602746-37b07d2bcb35ee348418a8572b82317c","parentId",5602746,"title","Senior-center leaders seek clarity on city remodel, worry about Friendship Meals funding","audioSeconds",866,"startMs",8468000,"endMs",9334000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5602746-37b07d2bcb35ee348418a8572b82317c&start=8468&end=9334","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5602746-37b07d2bcb35ee348418a8572b82317c/thumbnail_8468000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6137240/Pratt-County/Kansas/Senior-center-leaders-seek-clarity-on-city-remodel-worry-about-Friendship-Meals-funding","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6137240-b3f9ee81e115715892ab7671ed8b3aea/orig.mp4?Expires=1770545239&Signature=IWm3BUrvuTUhaUvAu1-RNgeIDSCWNLhLoIXdLcaL16SxmuEUZx8aw6uF9DSiCXpsn4FPyB7r5nT0sf84Lw6ihyvpWGEAN-w-3ynwfGKKOnRHBUXOZYzDyeJklakGughRF15pYYX-sIKj~UFbGpSeHaq0VwWZkHjdBxCw-0565XU4VXdKpE6nPnrZ7aS4-UkrUIdtVJxOY8dOCNsg0MMoJTv096da9Fo1K3e3TbvZZ1ITMjgG4BMOtlfj1KhmIn1GlpCL0UXBV5pq5f9wQB4anyEQgIIONdXGOehE6Zv1PECC9nmCf16U2rXu57BboIFbS7SdZH3jj58UGHYPxoP4-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Pratt County, KS","date","2025-06-23T00:00:00Z","article","Representatives from the Council on Aging, senior services and the senior center told the Pratt County Commission they are concerned about a planned city building remodel that could affect the senior-center kitchen and the Friendship Meals program.

Tara Pakenkoff, who identified herself as with the Council on Aging and volunteer senior programming, and Nancy Smith, community service board coordinator, asked county officials what the schedule and scope of the city project will be and how it might affect meal service. County staff said the city has indicated work may start in the fall or around the new year, but that details and schematics are not complete and the timeline remains uncertain.

County staff told the group the city has said it will try to limit interruptions to the senior-center meals and that staff would provide advance notice of temporary outages or relocations. The commissioners and staff encouraged the senior-service representatives to maintain direct contact with Regina (city staff) and the chief of police; commissioners agreed to forward the senior group’s written questions to city staff for clarification.

Senior-service speakers also expressed concern about the Friendship Meals program and recent media reports of statewide service reductions. County staff relayed that current cuts reported in state and national news are not directly tied to the county’s current elder-care program and that the county will not know next year’s budget details until state allocations are released; staff said the agency expects to have clearer information by August. The senior program representatives said they plan to continue community outreach to sustain services while awaiting budget details.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Pratt County Commission Meeting 6/23/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Representatives from the Council on Aging and the senior center asked Pratt County commissioners for updates on a planned city remodel that may affect kitchen operations and for information about statewide funding uncertainty affecting Friendship Meals; county staff said the timeline and scope were not yet finalized.","taxTitle","Pratt County, Kansas","taxId",52188,"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},6137245,"Pratt County landfill accepts derailment debris; recycling center faces staffing and cost pressures",387,9353000,9740000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5602746-37b07d2bcb35ee348418a8572b82317c&start=9353&end=9740","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5602746-37b07d2bcb35ee348418a8572b82317c/thumbnail_9353000.jpg","/articles/6137245/Pratt-County/Kansas/Pratt-County-landfill-accepts-derailment-debris-recycling-center-faces-staffing-and-cost-pressures","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6137245-d8535171a901f91a5c94e24bf392bc64/orig.mp4?Expires=1770545239&Signature=EPK94BdivVoHd-HLwr8MRT-rQmF~M0EfjBdZ0fUI8Z9EhP3BjGSuNPIjJRsaHPdIZ~4y1CHtodebF1sSXjM1Q4TvPcK3C7qMXoflm4U1XPkmVSChyKZWUxIHJtQY1qXlOrbsABw4FL8vJbQKJnGdfe2tvpIBlVvNFxNx2B~BGLITDECQOPBminhw-RV0Py2-65NXH86Yypu~3sLrirGs3yCRgYO1prJzrbazslEz2bxEgqzN77PG6Yi4rAhN5uQ~hdmyw~gJsHO4SIqVhc-FtkkgdFcH-PxZeffJF0J-wqsnNPR1yZ7~nG66zs-H9jbWVVLxikL-zsbSm334VevTpQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pratt County landfill and recycling staff told commissioners the county has taken 307 tons of debris from a recent train derailment and that the state has agreed those tons will not count against the landfill’s daily tonnage limits.

Landfill manager reported he had coordinated with state officials and an engineer; the county will receive revenue for the debris without the tonnage counting against routine limits, staff said. County staff characterized that arrangement as a material financial and operational win.

Recycling operations are under pressure. The recycling manager said staffing is thin — two at the recycling center and two at the landfill with three others including the manager — and that one long-term employee is out following a motorcycle accident. Staff are exploring part-time hires and shifting existing employees to cover the gap; commissioners discussed options including a temporary hire for the recycling center and a floating staff allocation.

Market conditions are affecting recycling operations: the manager said cardboard prices are about $75 per ton and that some commodities now require payments for shipment; wet cardboard from recent rains has increased apparent weight and storage constraints. The manager said trailers and indoor space are full and that some material will need to be moved soon.

The manager said Nicely (a private contractor) asked to rent space at the landfill for roll-off containers; the county discussed the request and then moved into an attorney–client executive session later in the meeting to discuss contract terms. No public contract terms were finalized in open session.

","County landfill staff said the state allowed acceptance of 307 tons of train-derailment debris that will not count against daily tonnage; recycling operations face staffing challenges and higher processing costs, and a vendor asked to rent roll-off space at the landfill.",{"_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},6137250,"Pratt County awards vehicle bids: three purchases approved, votes 3-0",3771,2781000,6552000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5602746-37b07d2bcb35ee348418a8572b82317c&start=2781&end=6552","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5602746-37b07d2bcb35ee348418a8572b82317c/thumbnail_2781000.jpg","/articles/6137250/Pratt-County/Kansas/Pratt-County-awards-vehicle-bids-three-purchases-approved-votes-3-0","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6137250-b3ae792f1a7ea156c0d76c14d464fbe8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770545239&Signature=KdKgF4ZKggtHZGZLLC8th~frJ9csjKuVM0P4711AgGBTs2fp1QIp6-1zkR3DVDWO-rr2QDEc-G6SzXyWjLACIMndMLzNxaICaEa3OYA~yBiFmTccdt~gZrgbQ~u~3zkGGOekgrCH2QFkMjV7kt3~SxLdJbvFGjKX2F~xEalOxt6QntzugWuKt1uX-B5Y0yc1U7otJ-ci-AMW79kxDCbg42fTPlW5uuQYyPEMTDXp7hkQWBFipJevPsyriH~pvWtxqSgj-bOvQ9YRh-3kHDWZN4VJPLJ6VLwyj9w9lN6i4qs0RHAU2x-J7K98HJxFhcz8f2drUwpuGy0CBmI6Kxrn3w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pratt County commissioners approved three vehicle purchases during a public bid opening, awarding contracts after reviewing trade-in allowances and dealer fees.

The commission voted 3-0 to purchase a 2025 Toyota Camry LE from Midwest Toyota for $25,315, trading in a 2014 Ford Fusion. A separate motion approved a 2023 Chevrolet Equinox RS (trade-in of a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu) for $26,006.94. Commissioners also approved a 2024 Chevrolet Malibu LT (trade-in of a 2012 Chevy Malibu) with a total cost of $22,001.94; all votes were recorded as passing 3-0.

Bidders and dealer representatives presented several options during the bid opening. Dealer quotes across multiple vendors showed a range of new and lightly used vehicles; commissioners weighed differences in price, new versus used status, and vehicle features. Commission discussion noted one staff preference to specify a new vehicle for a vehicle that has high battery-replacement risk if a hybrid is selected.

During the review, Doug Ray (dealer representative) and others provided trade-in values and per-vehicle totals. Commissioners directed staff to send the winning bid numbers to the vendors and confirmed that the approved purchases met the bid specifications. The commission recorded motions, seconds and unanimous votes for each award; no dissenting votes were recorded.

","After a public bid opening, the county approved three vehicle purchases — a 2025 Camry LE, a Chevy Equinox RS, and a 2024 Chevy Malibu LT — awarding contracts after trade-in allowances and dealer fees were applied; all motions passed unanimously.",{"_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},6137255,"Developer outlines Neniska Flats battery storage plan; targets Jan. 2026 construction",3477,592000,4069000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5602746-37b07d2bcb35ee348418a8572b82317c&start=592&end=4069","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5602746-37b07d2bcb35ee348418a8572b82317c/thumbnail_592000.jpg","/articles/6137255/Pratt-County/Kansas/Developer-outlines-Neniska-Flats-battery-storage-plan-targets-Jan-2026-construction","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6137255-5b9aa8de8c53b727fd7b822c9eb2e3a3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770545239&Signature=iY7A0HuIpeZgZWQsJjveptPiEEIQcTrRt9zwOv9lHfAyY0L65GGRIXRRYXCahpsWxDF9WVUnEDRlErf8-XmoISEaYVNSwrwII-KA-u03nai62A3sLLAYWbzbherkTA7LTiOqHqGVNnEkDwZ7gHPirnu3ZGhhpWDdioFbzsneSTcCxZbj0IbZ2v1R9-ISDMdO7T7Hf6oMYUr3xM~gA0Idc7WKSem16zbAqTdDm4fCF7ZE7TzB9Y1vNZ3PR1M7uu27XOJQDW~lsHPRAVRoNlyCYmFNIOC2DO2rW11maEoi4u50AyY0gBVSTN~rxPE0zGTSdFEYBZEOp~hOzT08Aa2f4A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A developer for a collocated solar-plus-storage project told the Pratt County Commission on the record that the company intends to site a battery energy storage system (BESS) inside the previously studied Neniska Flats solar boundary and is targeting a January 2026 start of construction and a commercial operation date in December 2026.

The developer said the battery boundary covers about 14 acres but that the active equipment would occupy roughly 6 acres inside that area. The proposal described up to 200 megawatts of storage with a four-hour duration, and the project team said the storage size is limited by the solar project’s 200-megawatt output.

The developer said the application would include technical and safety materials and asked the county to consider permitting the project via a development agreement tied to a special-use application or by adopting zoning language for BESS. The company proposed a development agreement that would incorporate road-use and maintenance commitments, a decommissioning agreement, and a project-specific fire-safety and health-and-safety plan.

Commissioners and the developer discussed national codes the project would follow. The developer listed UL 9540, NFPA 855 and NFPA 70 as the primary standards that would govern system design, setbacks and emergency response. Alan Anderson, an attorney who said he was with the Paul Stanley Law Firm, told the commission the development agreement could reference those codes and that the international code now cites the U.S. national fire-safety code directly.

Commissioners raised questions about cleanup and extreme-weather scenarios. The developer said cleanup obligations and post-incident remediation would be addressed in the development agreement and that NextEra employees on site would be the first line of response in an emergency, followed by local fire authorities operating at a perimeter. The developer offered to host further briefings with fire-safety experts and first responders to explain emergency response, cleanup responsibilities and protective design measures.

County staff and the developer discussed timing: if the county chooses to adopt new BESS regulations, that process could add months to review and permitting. The developer requested that Pratt County review a draft development agreement and provide feedback; the company said it would accept conditions the county asked to include. The developer also said environmental, wildlife and cultural studies already performed for the larger solar area would be tailored to the battery footprint.

Next steps described at the meeting included the developer sending the draft development agreement and safety materials to county staff and outside counsel for review, and scheduling education sessions for first responders. The commission did not take action at the meeting.

","Developer described a collocated 200-megawatt battery energy storage system (BESS) to sit inside the company’s existing solar boundary, cited national safety codes, and asked Pratt County to consider a development agreement or zoning update to expedite permitting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senior-center leaders seek clarity on city remodel, worry about Friendship Meals funding

Pratt County landfill accepts derailment debris; recycling center faces staffing and cost pressures

Pratt County awards vehicle bids: three purchases approved, votes 3-0

Developer outlines Neniska Flats battery storage plan; targets Jan. 2026 construction