McPherson County commissioners adopt racetrack moratorium, approve juvenile detention rate increase and multiple hires, bids and repairs

McPherson County commissioners on March 20 adopted a one-year moratorium on special-use permits related to racetracks, approved a contract rate increase for juvenile detention services, and signed off on hiring and equipment contracts ranging from pavement-plant parts to vehicle engine rebuilds.

The actions — taken during a regularly scheduled meeting at the McPherson County Courthouse — included a formal resolution to pause consideration of permits for seasonal, temporary and permanent racetracks while staff develop zoning parameters; acceptance of a voluntary annexation proposal from the City of Galba; approval of personnel changes in emergency communications; and a package of maintenance and repair contracts for county facilities and vehicles.

Why it matters: the moratorium gives planning staff a one-year window to draft rules addressing camping, noise and traffic at multi-day race events. The resolution halts new special-use permits for racetracks while the county considers whether such events should be regulated under campground rules or other zoning standards. The approvals for the juvenile detention contract and for public-works purchases commit county funds and affect near-term budgets for youth placement, road maintenance and fleet reliability.

Planning and zoning

John Kinsey, the county planning and zoning/environmental administrator, told the commission staff want time to define parameters for racetrack events, particularly when multi-day gatherings lead to campers, increased traffic and noise. The commission approved “Resolution 2025-04, resolution creating a moratorium on special use permits in connection with seasonal, temporary, or permanent racetracks in McPherson County.”

Votes at the moratorium adoption were recorded with Chairman Keith Becker and two other commissioners voting in favor. The resolution is effective after required publication and will run for one year unless extended.

The board also accepted a City of Galba request to proceed with a voluntary annexation for an industrial property and one parcel north of the town; Kinsey said the city’s annexation hearing is scheduled for May 12 and that the county’s acceptance keeps the voluntary process moving within the 60-day review window.

Juvenile detention contract

County staff notified commissioners of a contract change from Reno County Youth Services increasing the daily placement cost for youth detention by 10 percent — to a new rate of $165 per day. Commissioners approved a motion to accept the new contract and authorize the county to sign once the agreement is returned for signature.

Personnel and staffing decisions

Emily Yates, director of emergency management communications, presented three position-change notices (PCNs). The commission approved annual step increases and end-of-probation promotions for Nicole Simontes, Shauna Pearl and Carrie Courtney, and approved cell-phone allowances: $12 per pay period for Yates and $8 per pay period for Lisonbee Brunzel, the communications supervisor.

Yates said, “Right now, we are 2 down for Cincinnati, and we have 2 that are in training,” when describing current staffing levels and ongoing hiring efforts.

Public works and hiring

Public Works requested authority to advertise for several positions: a vacant engineering (project/design) position, a road maintenance foreman to reduce the superintendent’s direct-report load, and an engineering technician I/II. The commission approved advertising for all three roles and approved leaving the project engineer position as exempt.

Procurements, repairs and facility work

The commission approved multiple facility- and fleet-related bids and purchases: - Approve Hamaki (electrical components for a courthouse door) not to exceed $6,421.60 (to exclude sales tax if applicable). - Approve Salina Glass bid for door/window work not to exceed $6,882. - Approve purchase of asphalt plant parts not to exceed $13,518.50 to get the county asphalt plant ready for mid- to late-April operation.

Fleet repairs approved included engine rebuilds and a hydraulic cylinder replacement: commissioners approved a rebuild of the engine for truck No. 37 (Rush Truck; not to exceed $11,372.06 unless an additional cylinder head is required), a rebuild for truck No. 36 using Truck Center Company (not to exceed $12,042, with potential extra cost if a cylinder head is needed), and a new lift cylinder for dump truck No. 45 from Midwest Truck for $4,201.75 plus shipping.

Other business, grants and routine approvals

The commission approved the tax distribution dated March 20, 2025, and prior accounts payable, accepted abates totaling $2,612 and an ad total of $806.72, and approved the county’s signature on a project agreement for a Safe Streets and Roads (SS4A) planning grant to the Bureau of Transportation Safety (a planning grant only; no construction funds were approved). The motion to sign the grant agreement allows staff to forward documents to the state for required approvals.

Community proclamation

Chairman Keith Becker read a proclamation declaring April 2025 Sexual Assault Awareness Month in McPherson County. Becker proclaimed: “I, Keith Becker, by virtue of the authority vested in me as chairman of the board of McPherson County Commissioners in the state of Kansas, do hereby proclaim the month of April 2025 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month in McPherson County, Kansas.” Representatives from Safe Hope attended and presented local advocates related to the county’s observance.

Executive session

The board convened a 15-minute executive session, with county administration present, to discuss non-elected personnel in the noxious weed department; no formal action was announced after the session.

What’s next

Kinsey said planning staff will draft proposed zoning language and timelines during the moratorium period. Several advertised job postings and equipment purchases are intended to be acted on in coming weeks so the county can staff operations and prepare the asphalt plant for spring work.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution 2025-04 (moratorium on special use permits related to racetracks): adopted (motion carried; recorded yeas at adoption included Chairman Keith Becker, Commissioner Keith, Commissioner Adele). - Reno County Youth Services contract (increase to $165 per day): approved (motion carried; board authorized signature). - PCNs for Nicole Simontes, Shauna Pearl, Carrie Courtney and cell-phone allowances for Emily Yates and Lisonbee Brunzel: approved. - Advertising for project engineer, road maintenance foreman, and engineering tech I/II: approved. - Hamaki electrical components for courthouse door (not to exceed $6,421.60): approved. - Salina Glass bid for door work (not to exceed $6,882): approved. - Asphalt plant parts (not to exceed $13,518.50): approved. - Truck No. 37 engine rebuild (Rush Truck, not to exceed $11,372.06 unless cylinder head required): approved. - Truck No. 36 engine rebuild (Truck Center Company, not to exceed $12,042, cylinder head additional if required): approved. - Dump truck No. 45 lift cylinder (Midwest Truck $4,201.75 plus shipping): approved. - Tax distribution dated 03/20/2025 and prior accounts payable: approved. - Project agreement for SS4A (Safe Streets and Roads) planning grant: approved for signature.

(For each motion the transcript records “all in favor, say aye” and minutes show the motion carried unless otherwise noted.)