[{"_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",6469358,"mediaKeyId","5824619-6d9abe2bb7fa36a12ff4bb7ae35db6e4","parentId",5824619,"title","Saline County approves Salina Speedway fireworks display and adopts changes to county fireworks rules","audioSeconds",736,"startMs",594000,"endMs",1330000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5824619-6d9abe2bb7fa36a12ff4bb7ae35db6e4&start=594&end=1330","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5824619-6d9abe2bb7fa36a12ff4bb7ae35db6e4/thumbnail_594000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6469358/Saline-County/Kansas/Saline-County-approves-Salina-Speedway-fireworks-display-and-adopts-changes-to-county-fireworks-rules","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6469358-407b07b34aaa336638ed6f220390ff21/orig.mp4?Expires=1774979056&Signature=SMxiSzZWayKvpoQxhJSF8tM65WnJ100iVDnTfFKM05T4yc8OqSnd916~~muIjzLTrohNwwmCXRTpy7JDKSmtIJW2tF~sQjnvQv-acooRjemybmV1oE-iWuMFAgUbvJH3gDFnDXiOyqLuHurO9BxUCiAX-YQIkZ~VHs30W~NtURnM8~YbTMEc8OSabFCWg3f1yJLW0UtRpTgypd2-dfBdbONNydzDySl-faVq-QrjQIH8f7rZqPPIEdUGX2YlsvEVRqvkcRpzfbn1RaKQAywrV863cH-wE4pC1ZIhVwGRcq28k1kCf-pOlBqCjekR2T2Fd0Ef1i2SDqYx8ilAtrXbjQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Saline County, KS","date","2025-09-24T13:29:48.997Z","article","The Saline County Commission voted to approve a fireworks display at the Salina Speedway and adopted a Fourth Amendment to the county's fireworks resolution that narrows allowable discharge dates and prohibits permanent fireworks retail in unincorporated areas.

Michelle Wise, the county's emergency management director, recommended approval of the application for the Salina Speedway display and reported the rural fire chief assigned to provide standby coverage had approved the plan. \"We have met with all parties involved, including, the rural fire chief that will be providing a standby on this. They have approved the application as presented,\" Wise said. The commission approved the application (filed as RFA 20 25-132) by voice vote.

Separately, Hannah Bet, deputy county administrator, presented the Fourth Amendment to the county resolution governing sale and use of fireworks in unincorporated Saline County. Bet told the commission the amendment would: change the permitted discharge dates to July 3 and July 4 from 8 a.m. to midnight to mirror city policy; add language allowing public fireworks displays outside the July 3'July 4 window if the fireworks are purchased from a licensed Kansas distributor; and prohibit permanent fireworks retailers in unincorporated county areas. \"If you remember back on May 13, your commission was briefed on some changes to state law, and it was the recommendation of the county counselor to have the commission review the rules of regulations and update them,\" Bet said.

Commissioners asked whether the amendment addressed fees for permanent retailers; Bet clarified the presented amendment would prohibit permanent retail stands and that permitting and fee discussions would be relevant only if the commission decided not to ban permanent retailers. After discussion and confirmation that emergency management and rural fire districts had reviewed and supported the changes, a commissioner moved to adopt Amendment No. 4 to Resolution 09-1999; the motion carried on a voice vote.

The county also noted that funds would be provided to a rural fire district for standby coverage at the Speedway display because pulling a unit reduces fire coverage capacity elsewhere in that district. No vote tally was recorded in the transcript; minutes reflect the commission approved both the Salina Speedway RFA and the resolution amendment during the Sept. 23 meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Saline County Commission Meeting - September 23, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Commission approved a fireworks display at Salina Speedway and adopted a Fourth Amendment to the county fireworks resolution changing allowable discharge dates and banning permanent retail fireworks operations in unincorporated Saline County.","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},6469363,"Saline County adopts local disaster declaration after Sept. 9 flooding",100,499000,599000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5824619-6d9abe2bb7fa36a12ff4bb7ae35db6e4&start=499&end=599","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5824619-6d9abe2bb7fa36a12ff4bb7ae35db6e4/thumbnail_499000.jpg","/articles/6469363/Saline-County/Kansas/Saline-County-adopts-local-disaster-declaration-after-Sept-9-flooding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6469363-6694326e9e41068d1a855160f81a592f/orig.mp4?Expires=1774979056&Signature=Tsy~0xdZ2CNQtHSzTdg-846dlfU6fNErsUFlzndsh02AGVXkSGQ6gaJIPnIv~FAEwvVrKCb163mtRPzdznmPu1aCWBAgvmU1EmhtmnqYc-D-Rn03aTHswlZymREANkd3Do21MxQb1cEmKd-au26i6p-nU0W8rHd2HEHX6-CPHLHlcmuxOcmh3gavgKBx2ot~zXcmfBF4ffEjB3UbW9muUT2pjnO5vQcKjRQ00ptOIErpt5EQbYMd329-MP1r1bdtujnURByItokhQfzCtrzrp2PHWFbk5ZBncwQZV~gnj186bH8VvHU2-rO3BnHi8j8-cwWMNDd6qMKE9j-pLdsZIA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Saline County Board of Commissioners adopted a local disaster declaration for flooding that damaged county roads and bridges during the week of Sept. 9.

Michelle Wise, Saline County emergency management director, told the commission on Sept. 23 that damage assessments were due to the state that day and that the county and several neighboring counties included in the request expected to meet the state's damage threshold. \"I am here to request a state of local disaster for the flooding that we experienced on the week of September 9. This mainly is focused on the impact to road and bridge that the floodwaters had,\" Wise said.

Wise said the city of Brookville experienced \"some significant flooding,\" and that the city of Celina continued to experience flooding behind a log jam. She told the commission staff had initiated discussions with the U.S. Small Business Administration on potential loan support and that damage figures were pending: \"We are still waiting to hear back on numbers for that. And today, our damage assessments are due to the state. I did just get off the phone with some other counties that are included in this disaster declaration, and it does look like we will meet the state's threshold for this.\"

After brief public and commission comment, a commissioner moved to \"adopt resolution 25 dash 2437 as presented.\" The motion carried on a voice vote; the record shows the resolution was adopted but no roll-call tally was given at the meeting.

The emergency management director told the commission there is a \"strong probability\" the county will receive some funds back if the state confirms the county meets the damage threshold. Wise said she had coordinated with municipalities and neighboring counties as part of the assessment and recovery planning.

The commission did not set an immediate appropriation during the meeting; Wise said staff was pursuing available loan and grant options and would provide further updates as damage assessments and state determinations are finalized.

The resolution adopted at the Sept. 23 meeting formally records the county's request for disaster assistance tied to flooding impacts on county infrastructure and begins the administrative process of submitting damage and cost documentation to the state.","The Saline County Commission voted to adopt Resolution 25-2437 requesting a local state of disaster for flood damage to roads and bridges after heavy flooding the week of Sept. 9; county staff said damage assessments were being submitted to the state and the county expects to meet the state threshold for aid.",{"_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},6469344,"Commission open to exploring formation of improvement district for troubled private water and sewer system",1291,1868000,3159000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5824619-6d9abe2bb7fa36a12ff4bb7ae35db6e4&start=1868&end=3159","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5824619-6d9abe2bb7fa36a12ff4bb7ae35db6e4/thumbnail_1868000.jpg","/articles/6469344/Saline-County/Kansas/Commission-open-to-exploring-formation-of-improvement-district-for-troubled-private-water-and-sewer-system","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6469344-0bc203c3699fa7c7960f837c28fd9bbd/orig.mp4?Expires=1774979056&Signature=UU-tCgDHPbapyAo3YS4Il1ztjTFIP2EIAvEVMOyRbIICHNKV2Pq8FJds3jBxz2ztdXfTRpyoxqQQ9tejgZ~qTU-EA55dS5mNC0KVUJ8nNQO9BpfKiEDzzcfH9aUc8Y8giyP3CX9~gqR66JmNLgmsGF067-7qARM-b51pSwRK8pIEPCWKmtIxKPyOYHt91oZhLbztIAoOEzAL3Pq7glxLkvLk0LGMuLl-IeADjHTa7jLfEl8HU7UKmiv3REMeS473GDMArfjA0UxuoBN1ZoHJfM75bVhv4EuBbV5WpWyet5E3JNKnahsP-buvgYHOhkbnvkXnzXxjj2gzKg9GP2Fz-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Saline County commissioners agreed to explore the feasibility of forming an improvement district to address a small private water and sewer system that has experienced service problems, including a loss of water service earlier this year.

County Administrator Philip Smith Haines told the commission the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) and county staff have discussed several options: the private owner could invest in repairs, sell the system to another private operator, the system could be annexed into a surrounding rural water district, or an improvement district could be formed to manage both water and sewer service. He said the KCC favored considering an improvement district because it could address both water and sewer needs, whereas the nearby rural water district handles only water and would leave the sewer as an \"orphaned\" system.

Haines said formation of an improvement district would be a multi-step process that could include signatures or petitions from property owners, conveyance of the system into the district's ownership, grant and loan eligibility, and county administrative responsibilities similar to the existing KIPP district. \"The advantage...to having an improvement district is that it would be eligible for grants and loans from the state and federal sources, which a private water system is just not eligible for,\" Haines said.

Commissioners described the service problems as long-standing and affecting roughly 70 customer accounts (Haines referenced \"70 customer accounts\") and about 120 people, with vulnerable residents among those impacted. One commissioner described the water as \"atrocious\" and said residents were still not comfortably drinking the water after earlier repairs. Commissioners asked whether the county would be responsible for billing and collections; Haines said the county could perform billing and collection work similar to KIPP, with some staff time required but not necessarily a full-time position.

Commissioners and staff discussed several implementation questions: whether the current owner would agree to convey the system (Haines said the state had discussed the possibility and that the KCC has regulatory leverage but not unlimited authority), what staff and department workload would be required (county administration, planning and zoning and treasurer involvement), and whether residents would accept assessed charges or bonding to pay for improvements. Haines said grant and loan programs, including Department of Agriculture programs and long-term bonding models like KIPP's 40-year bond, are potential funding pathways; he emphasized that residents in the district would typically pay for improvements through assessments or fees rather than the county general fund.

County staff said the state planned to hold community meetings in the affected area, and commissioners generally supported further exploration so long as residents are part of the solution, sign petitions if required and accept potential costs. No formal action was taken; staff will hold additional conversations with the state and affected residents and follow up with the commission.","County staff and the Kansas Corporation Commission have discussed forming an improvement district to address a private water and sewer system with longstanding service problems; commissioners expressed tentative support but said residents must be engaged and bear appropriate costs.",{"_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},6469348,"Community group to raise $75,000 to replace aging livestock pens at Saline County Expo Center; county agreeable to donation and agreement",814,1236000,2050000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5824619-6d9abe2bb7fa36a12ff4bb7ae35db6e4&start=1236&end=2050","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5824619-6d9abe2bb7fa36a12ff4bb7ae35db6e4/thumbnail_1236000.jpg","/articles/6469348/Saline-County/Kansas/Community-group-to-raise-75000-to-replace-aging-livestock-pens-at-Saline-County-Expo-Center-county-agreeable-to-donation-and-agreement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6469348-1002b078f250400244b9b631d001fec2/orig.mp4?Expires=1774979056&Signature=XDonO-WAZ4k4KsqRpcPOes2ChUksv7pQelR4-nMVwQrBTX0IkB-8rWnH6o2VS-8uuDAES4XTNodvPf3ODBBcGZDPXGo5O98qzuoBNvJg1c1b2FnA-czpLiArb-gC4MIbd45uyf0jTAByOGw5G094x5p36AhLyZW2kng7BiDhRmyeJEQVeXRLIXG1-xjBi9yElgx3jJCToMcTToTsYxf49JLHawdC7n9ihvKRAW110mE6UnJoaOT5GIWHKfjPRC8TlM9CqpmQPe3QI9HOkl8joJ7U~7vBnkjNuTz-DLWraAACI4sXsrsivhr9szlumGFhFTUkNN02763sy56Tgs8GiQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A community-led fundraising effort aims to replace aging small-animal pens at the Saline County Expo Center, and county commissioners signaled support for accepting the donated panels if donors complete the fundraising.

Danielle Ost, organizing on behalf of the Sling County 4-H Development Fund and partner stakeholders, told commissioners the current pens are more than 60 years old, are difficult to operate and have caused animal safety issues during fairs and shows. \"Animals have been hurt at the fair...sheep have gotten their horns stuck...swine can root under them and lift them up,\" Ost said, describing safety and handling problems. The project would replace aging pens with heavier, vertical panels and add additional pens to bring the facility to a 102-pin configuration.

Ost said the group'which includes Sling County 4-H Development Fund, the three Sling County FFA chapters, Central Kansas Extension, the Sling County Expo, Sling County Farm Bureau and the Tri River Fair Board'has already purchased six new pens for the show ring in 2024. The fundraising target for the full pen replacement is approximately $75,000; Ost said the group had raised just over $20,000 to date and expects to seek grants and community fundraising, including an \"alcohol wreck\" grant they planned to submit the following week. The group does not intend to request county tax funding: \"Our funding is not taxpayer or we're not asking for anything from you guys. It'd be grant and fundraising is what we've done so far,\" she said.

Ost proposed donating the new pens to the county once purchased, with the county accepting responsibility for storage, maintenance and liability. She outlined donor conditions the group would like documented in an agreement: compliance with grant signage and recognition requirements; the ability for the donor group to market or fundraise at fairs; notification to donors if the county intends to sell the donated pens (60 days' notice requested); and that proceeds of a sale prior to 2050 be reinvested into the expo (and if sold before 02/1950 [sic], proceeds be reinvested into agreed projects). Ost said she had consulted with expo staff and that Dave (expo staff) was aware and supportive.

Commissioners praised the volunteer effort and emphasized the project's focus on youth: \"This is for the kids,\" one commissioner said. Commissioners asked staff to work with the county attorney to draft a donation agreement that would document responsibilities and the donors' conditions. Ost said the group hoped to have funds in place by April 2026 in order to complete the project in time for the 2026 Tri Rivers Fair.

No formal county action was required at the Sept. 23 meeting; commissioners agreed staff should draft an agreement and that the county was willing to accept the donation subject to an acceptable written agreement. Ost said the group would continue fundraising and apply for grants.

If completed, the project would replace environmentally and operationally outdated pens and allow junior livestock shows for swine, sheep, and goats at the Expo Center, and improve safety and ease of use for 4-Hers, FFA members and expo staff.","A volunteer-led group organized by Sling County 4-H Development Fund plans to raise about $75,000 to buy 102 new livestock pens for the Saline County Expo Center and donate them to the county; commissioners signaled support and asked staff to prepare a donation agreement and county attorney review.",{"_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},6469353,"Commission removes obsolete 9-1-1 committee and fund language from county code",354,864000,1218000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5824619-6d9abe2bb7fa36a12ff4bb7ae35db6e4&start=864&end=1218","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5824619-6d9abe2bb7fa36a12ff4bb7ae35db6e4/thumbnail_864000.jpg","/articles/6469353/Saline-County/Kansas/Commission-removes-obsolete-9-1-1-committee-and-fund-language-from-county-code","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6469353-f23eed986ad1eea9fafff8a14b08682f/orig.mp4?Expires=1774979056&Signature=Rgqs1HF3u0jAXx4ug1vW0LVPjnukBnPsq-t7-qyTzJ27~PRAxlrNCC9~Vje~T7~dnLsLjTrV8YLuFKtupYmEE2zTrQg66XhbLfQs3iPG4lo09p5~8I0iRhXgbcAatnugosZTyEalxeU8fSzW7~6fWTIMsK5argl~v1H71TFbjQDz2-s3kK~giv0ivUsdQ0yF7Rv8ORbxPqISVCnwKsF11grZHNL1clxheM6~VuFvdzNNestHIXqYwcL26ZNU-CfZ1qhX-OqJhvGFhUBnUiaR-zuZ5bl04kGCaIFx-rIFIg9wD3emKS4nVg9-0cnv0lao3F4AXAbZgp~iqOeo-a2h~A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Saline County Commission adopted Resolution 25-2436 to remove obsolete references to a 9-1-1 committee and fund from the county code.

Philip Smith Haines, Saline County administrator, told the commission staff discovered the remnants of the committee and fund language while updating the county code to reflect changes the commission had already adopted earlier in the year. \"There used to be a 9 11 committee and a 9 11 fund. And in, December, 2015, the commission adopted a resolution which abolished the Committee and rendered that fund obsolete and that fund was closed, the following January. But, that language is still in the code,\" he said.

Haines recommended adopting an additional resolution to strip the obsolete language from the county code and said there would be no budgetary impact because the fund has been closed for a decade. A commissioner described the item as \"a little house cleaning.\" After motion and second, the commission adopted Resolution 25-2436 by voice vote.

The county administrator said the change was administrative and meant to align the written code with prior commission action and current practice. Staff will proceed with the code amendment and administrative updates following the motion.","County administrator recommended and commissioners adopted Resolution 25-2436 to remove outdated references to a 9-1-1 committee and fund that were abolished in 2015; staff said there is no budgetary impact because the fund was closed previously.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Saline County approves Salina Speedway fireworks display and adopts changes to county fireworks rules

Saline County adopts local disaster declaration after Sept. 9 flooding

Commission open to exploring formation of improvement district for troubled private water and sewer system

Community group to raise $75,000 to replace aging livestock pens at Saline County Expo Center; county agreeable to donation and agreement

Commission removes obsolete 9-1-1 committee and fund language from county code