[{"_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",6479209,"mediaKeyId","5706731-5a7ac28ff05edd3b182a2654f1f51763","parentId",5706731,"title","Commission appoints Andrew Barclay interim emergency management director by unanimous roll call","audioSeconds",70,"startMs",1570000,"endMs",1640000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5706731-5a7ac28ff05edd3b182a2654f1f51763&start=1570&end=1640","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5706731-5a7ac28ff05edd3b182a2654f1f51763/thumbnail_1570000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6479209/Seward-County/Kansas/Commission-appoints-Andrew-Barclay-interim-emergency-management-director-by-unanimous-roll-call","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6479209-f6af66eae3ecb04fed8f6219f97c6b75/orig.mp4?Expires=1770482689&Signature=m7jfyubbo30chxoST9VEb9jbtAI-oNmqBWiOblpbmBEY5M3fCSlB-um6fjGFVAVpVfmVrXOu529fjHisqllmLQxGZzCFgfToWu-ltOaxfy7hKoADB3uTRKcG7r-H9TfMBjswvmyUUHSu~wDZcnZBg0J~OkHYXefMvrrVk2rMOIUVLu-0Om1VuJHmtk1Ps6nw52nn8-oNGmO0xryHXvPKly5l-SlvCkUUmvDSwSiwpMKSlcN33WG0de30f9dh~~qfbShy9mEaP~JTTM9HwagvTxlic0AZf4pSbCwmYmoolpuU1k1EKlA~atAe-9CUQzCC-3dkaf9OJPTXjW2ny6sfyQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Seward County","date","2025-09-02T00:00:00Z","article","Seward County commissioners approved Resolution 2025-14 to appoint Andrew Barclay as interim county emergency management director in a unanimous roll-call vote.

A commissioner introduced a resolution (Resolution 2025-14) naming Andrew Barclay as interim county emergency management director. The maker of the motion clarified that the intent was to appoint Barclay rather than the maker serving in the interim position. Commissioner Abbott seconded the motion and the board conducted a roll-call vote.

During roll call, the record showed the following votes: Tammy Sutherland Abbott — aye; Steve Helm — aye; Scott Carr — aye; (Prosecco/Poehler) — aye; Todd Stanton — aye. The resolution passed with five ayes. The board did not go into executive session for this item, and staff noted no further administrative action was required at the meeting beyond entering the appointment in county records.

Staff will finalize administrative paperwork to document the interim appointment.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Seward County - County Commission-Regular","oneSentenceSummary","The board approved Resolution 2025-14 appointing Andrew Barclay as interim Seward County Emergency Management director; the resolution passed on a roll-call vote with five ayes.","taxTitle","Seward County, Kansas","taxId",70665,"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},6479214,"County accepts $500,000 buyout from City of Liberal for county share of Fifteenth Street Fire Station; approval 4-1",251,1303000,1554000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5706731-5a7ac28ff05edd3b182a2654f1f51763&start=1303&end=1554","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5706731-5a7ac28ff05edd3b182a2654f1f51763/thumbnail_1303000.jpg","/articles/6479214/Seward-County/Kansas/County-accepts-500000-buyout-from-City-of-Liberal-for-county-share-of-Fifteenth-Street-Fire-Station-approval-4-1","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6479214-6eb405aa426ab91b64b0f1296fc1b9a6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770482689&Signature=bm9I~DBdPKYhjCFeRjnYHYHoLykQsOaolSAPhUEDJoOj2s4N853fCvncCTTJQlEB7Yl~sblJy0ufxSYlYeR77gLleeLCKqE7ko3zEaUzsb2xxPDm1M-kJ0yfnanrKhYe6qWl91DBfwcEVMNNdGk3UN8HccmH4DPJ1Ir4pBNQ02-GTUeQzPJH2oitAQedR6~SZijbaH1u9WI7QK7XUPN1CpYt~FaFMRa9E9P7H~ywbMBU4k~jvelfwATGyHNGSn3wP96pBn6v-Gu3JV0ZeNjN8nzEO37tJKAfovh10AFZDlamc8~idWOk~~NjycQle1CGpkCrlNQLFoJcpGTeqt7bfA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Seward County commissioners voted 4-1 to accept a $500,000 buyout offer from the City of Liberal for the county's portion of the Fifteenth Street Fire Station, with the sale to proceed pending legal documentation to protect county interests.

April Ward presented an offer letter from the City of Liberal stating the city would pay $500,000 for the county's share and would extend to the county a right of first refusal if the city later decided to sell the facility. Staff recommended accepting the offer and authorizing county legal counsel to work with the city's counsel to prepare the necessary documents, which Ward said likely would include a quitclaim deed or similar paperwork to show the chain of title and the reserved right of first refusal.

Commissioner Fuller moved to accept the city's offer; Commissioner Abbott seconded. One commissioner voiced opposition during the discussion and said local population trends indicated limited growth, and that he was not in favor of the sale though he suggested the city appeared likely to exercise its rights. Commissioners voted 4 to 1 to approve the acceptance, and the motion included the condition that legal documentation be completed.

Commissioners sought clarification on how the $500,000 would be used. One commissioner asked whether funds could be applied to pay down the mortgage on the county's existing building; staff confirmed remaining proceeds could be applied as directed and indicated the purchase and allocation of proceeds would be documented as part of the legal work.

The county's acceptance is conditioned on execution of legal documents that staff will prepare with the city's counsel to ensure the county's reserved right is recorded.","Seward County accepted a $500,000 offer from the City of Liberal to buy out the county's share of the Fifteenth Street Fire Station, with the vote 4-1 and acceptance conditioned on legal documentation and a quitclaim or similar deed to clarify title and a county right of first refusal in the event of future sale.",{"_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},6479219,"Seward County approves contract for tree-grinding service for landfill with insurance, pending documentation",272,1029000,1301000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5706731-5a7ac28ff05edd3b182a2654f1f51763&start=1029&end=1301","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5706731-5a7ac28ff05edd3b182a2654f1f51763/thumbnail_1029000.jpg","/articles/6479219/Seward-County/Kansas/Seward-County-approves-contract-for-tree-grinding-service-for-landfill-with-insurance-pending-documentation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6479219-6db2cb3d32c494a8845fad1902d88889/orig.mp4?Expires=1770482689&Signature=lmchVF0EAYTNqKjIQwfoKCvlqF3Q-yCrb1JFFrQKGB4JdZg8GMCZAJSXVNBA9mY49TuE0xlYGiWwsM20M-7WM~npWhFtUpyPgEF8GVGZiJYX~tVYomjeLTa7HjAaIATjKZCOYOr4~xmgDkCPLddO4GDJy0aIDSU36gjDXQT5GIXqMqxZI0gyKinqSAyO-bLD-Te4ky1bN5MOhaFTrRYVSreaSuubZZ~JcdNApnfQ2x5av8-OTuO0D6AAQaF5kR38xWLK1Mvwpy-ijDHGtZgXjCeQpM6vFTz9hD-9bS4QYdfSYu7OP6p6wPGYI-YVYDY~gyU~UIJph-40zqzeFiMlmQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Seward County commissioners approved a contract award to a commercial tree-grinding provider to bring the county landfill into compliance with Kansas Department of Health and Environment requirements, with final work subject to proof of insurance and tax documentation.

Tyler, representing the Seward County Landfill, told commissioners the county’s grinder has required significant maintenance costs—about $28,000 in the past year—and that renting a contractor may be more economical than purchasing a new grinder, which Tyler estimated could cost $800,000 to $1 million. He said one vendor, identified in the record as Hanson (also referenced as Hansen) Tree Service from the St. Louis area, quoted a $7,500 mobilization fee and an hourly grinding rate; county staff estimated roughly 20–30 hours of work for the current pile.

Tyler said a county lease-purchase option for a new grinder would carry roughly $150,000 per year in payments. He told commissioners the vendor indicated it could be on-call after initial work to respond to disaster needs and that the company carries insurance; Tyler said he would obtain the certificate for county records if commissioners approved the contract.

Commissioners asked about on-site safety procedures and a spotter; Tyler said the grinding area would be cordoned off and flagged to warn of flying debris and that landfill staff would assist with support equipment to reduce contractor time. Tyler told commissioners he had an alternative quote from Brush Grinding that included a mobilization fee near $10,000 and an $800 hourly rate.

Commissioner Steve Helm moved to approve the bid from Hansen/Hanson Tree Service, specifying a $7,500 mobilization/demobilization fee and an hourly rate as recorded in the motion; Commissioner Poehler seconded. The board approved the motion by voice (show of hands). Tyler and staff confirmed county staff would obtain a certificate of insurance and W-9 from the vendor before work proceeded.

Notes on rates in the record: the presented quote discussed $750 per hour while grinding; the motion as read at the meeting referenced $7.50 per hour. The record contains both figures; county staff said they would secure the vendor documentation (proposal and insurance) before work began and verify the hourly rate in the contractor paperwork.","The commissioners approved a contract with Hansen/Hanson Tree Service to grind trees at the Seward County Landfill, with a $7,500 mobilization/demobilization charge and an hourly grinding rate discussed in the record; the county required proof of insurance before work begins.",{"_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},6479225,"Great Plains Development outlines loan, grant and outreach services for Seward County",334,214000,548000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5706731-5a7ac28ff05edd3b182a2654f1f51763&start=214&end=548","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5706731-5a7ac28ff05edd3b182a2654f1f51763/thumbnail_214000.jpg","/articles/6479225/Seward-County/Kansas/Great-Plains-Development-outlines-loan-grant-and-outreach-services-for-Seward-County","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6479225-9e69222432da35a9ac85265b26159ff9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770482689&Signature=beuErNTjSRDoun3adPFhkEJVX~25mBK1uXyeKVIpbZgzbkFXq8RydFqk~vCh~PYyf7QiwNwSfzrqiFKqfXxUCERci0xyTd7HkP~1xtvViHMVmUNmT9KjxmSRJJP~hZzCiVQhu7JUEdvbRLdrN3qN1NzzbkABtaavtBW0wsA8N9Zw4CQBRg~zjSU963L4d77szhP1V8xo6~u~QiRjxk-1ofE5F160Uxh7Ivn0XiLwer9BD~8aCqvk7gFleWkG4qYVBn4RtoPilX84kxCaNt85VJP0rOPAmnF1Q-Z-cSdQh8c-bjbwQdnQ05~WHwMiaOyCgPsQZSVCxwFw7DD~yWSb0A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Great Plains Development provided Seward County commissioners an overview of its programs and recent local activity, including small-business lending and an upcoming outreach event with the Kansas Department of Commerce.

The agency, represented by executive co-director Bob Wetmore and associate director Hannah Sparks, summarized its two primary roles: municipal grant assistance (including Community Development Block Grant applications) and small-business loan packaging and technical assistance. Wetmore said Great Plains began in 1987 as a merger of regional planning and certified development organizations and that its staff helps local governments and small businesses prepare applications, navigate state processes in Topeka and pursue gap or packaging funds.

Wetmore and Sparks described services that include help with CDBG and USDA programs, assistance to local economic development staff on loan packaging, and three internal revolving loan funds that Great Plains can access for clients. They reported that since late 2024 the office handled seven loan inquiries through Seward County Economic Development, with six full applications and four loan awards to date in 2025. Wetmore also noted a partnership between Network Kansas and the Patterson Family Foundation that can convert part of some loans into grants for borrowers.

Wetmore invited county officials to Great Plains’ Oct. 29 “regional excellence” initiative in Dodge City, coordinated with the Kansas Department of Commerce and described as an opportunity for Commerce staff to hear county needs in person. He also asked commissioners to consider a voluntary annual dues contribution for member counties; he cited a per-capita calculation listed in the handout and noted a decline in other state funding that had previously supported the regional agency.

During a brief question-and-answer period, a commissioner asked why some older project entries in Great Plains’ records were labeled “destroyed.” Wetmore explained that “destroyed” indicates files have been shredded under the agency’s records-retention policy and that some older files predate current recordkeeping. He said staff can attempt to retrieve nonproprietary historical information if commissioners request a work session. Wetmore also noted Hannah Sparks received a scholarship to a national training program and will take on an expanded role locally.

The presentation was informational; no formal action or county funding decision followed the update.","Great Plains Development gave an update on programs it provides to Seward County, including CDBG assistance, revolving loan funds, small-business loan packaging and an Oct. 29 regional outreach event with the Kansas Department of Commerce.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission appoints Andrew Barclay interim emergency management director by unanimous roll call

County accepts $500,000 buyout from City of Liberal for county share of Fifteenth Street Fire Station; approval 4-1

Seward County approves contract for tree-grinding service for landfill with insurance, pending documentation

Great Plains Development outlines loan, grant and outreach services for Seward County