Resident raises procedural concerns about Planning and Zoning Board election; commissioners say they will review

A McPherson County resident told commissioners on Jan. 27 that the county's Planning and Zoning Administrator departed from the board's bylaws during the Jan. 13 Planning and Zoning Board meeting and that elections conducted that night were improper.

Jeff Smith of Windham recounted that at the board's Jan. 13 meeting the administrator, John Kinsey, left the secretary position and attempted to run elections by having members place names on colored pieces of paper. Smith said the board's bylaws require nominations and vote counts at the regular January meeting and that the bylaws' election process was not followed. Smith said the procedure used resulted in a candidate who received the most votes being replaced by a second vote-getter who was not present or contacted.

Smith cited specific bylaw language he said the board violated (Article 2, Section 2, Elections; Section 3, Chairperson). He urged that a proper election be held; he said he will move at the Planning and Zoning Board's next meeting to hold an election following the bylaws.

A member of the public, Gary Fraunfeld, spoke in support of Smith's account and said he had experience with prior planning board procedures. The commissioners responded that they would look into the matter and get back to the planning board and the resident. The commissioners did not take formal action at the Jan. 27 meeting on the complaint; Smith said he planned to make a motion at the Planning and Zoning Board's next meeting, scheduled for Feb. 10.

Ending: The complaint remains a public-comment item; the board of commissioners did not direct an immediate remedy at the Jan. 27 meeting but said staff would investigate and report back.