McPherson County zoning official says floodplain maps will be consolidated; public comment period opens

John Kinsey, McPherson County zoning administrator, told the Board that regional floodplain maps covering multiple drainage areas are being consolidated into a single county map and that the public will have an opportunity to comment.

“We have until, October 24 to do the first comment period on that,” Kinsey said, and he said he had distributed the maps to township trustees, township clerks, city administrators, city clerks, the commissioners and public works officers so they can review and comment.

Kinsey said the consolidation moves mapping from individual floodplains to a countywide basis and that the anticipated effective date for the revised maps is “June, July ’28.” He called attention to specific areas of concern, saying runoff funnels through Galva and goes under Highway 56, and noted discussion about whether increasing culvert size could help. He also said the county raised questions about a portion of the McPherson roundhouse that is scheduled to be removed from the floodplain.

Commissioners and other attendees noted that several small cities were not represented at the meeting where maps were discussed and urged local officials to review the materials. Kinsey said the maps are color-coded to show where areas are entering or leaving the floodplain and encouraged municipalities to attend upcoming meetings.

Kinsey said a public input period will follow and the county will publish meeting information so residents and local officials can participate. Several commissioners and attendees emphasized the importance of local review and coordination with the state or mapping authority where parts of infrastructure are under state control.