McPherson County adopts new planning, zoning fee schedule; fireworks stand fee rises

The McPherson County Board of Commissioners adopted Resolution 2025-10 on June 16, 2025, establishing an updated fee schedule for permits and proceedings governed by the county's zoning, subdivision and sanitary regulations.

County Planning, Zoning and Environment Administrator John Kinsey told commissioners he brought the measure back with two main changes from the version discussed at a recent work session: increasing the fireworks-stand permit fee and removing a proposed 90-day grace period for building without a permit. "If they start building or doing the work without a permit, it's actually double the fee," Kinsey said. He added that after three years the proposed penalty would be a flat $1,000 plus 1% of the appraised value.

Kinsey said the fireworks-stand permit fee was raised from $150 to $500 to match the city’s current charge and to reflect the administrative and inspection overhead. Commissioners noted the resolution allows the governing body to waive fees for government buildings and, by a vote, for nonprofits; Kinsey pointed to Section 8 of the draft, which permits fee waivers by governing-body vote.

Planning board members who reviewed the proposal in April had mixed views, Kinsey said: some opposed doubling fees or suggested an amnesty program, while others deferred the decision to the commissioners. Commissioners expressed concern that a 90-day grace period would encourage building before review; one said he favored charging the increased fee immediately to preserve the county’s ability to check setbacks and other requirements.

MOTION AND VOTE: A motion to approve Resolution 2025-10 was made and seconded. Chairman Becker, Commissioner Christian Kieser and Commissioner Adele each voted "I" in favor, and the board adopted Resolution 2025-10. The resolution identifies the fireworks-stand fee as $500 but preserves the board’s ability under Section 8 to waive fees for government or nonprofit applicants.

Why it matters: The change alters enforcement and penalty structures for zoning and building permits in McPherson County, shifts some costs to permit applicants who start work without prior approval and raises the permit charge for seasonal fireworks vendors. The revenue collected under the schedule is directed to county funds.

What remains unclear from the meeting: Kinsey said one nonprofit has historically applied for a fireworks permit but had not yet filed for 2025; the transcript does not specify how many nonprofit vendors typically apply, nor the estimated annual revenue impact of the fee changes.

The board did not adopt any additional amendments at the meeting; Kinsey said he would finalize the version the commissioners preferred and make it effective July 1.