McPherson County commission accepts weed director’s retirement, approves culvert replacement, election-equipment storage and CDDO agreement

The McPherson County Commission on Jan. 9 voted to accept the retirement of Dan Schrock, director of the county’s Noxious Weed Department, approved replacement of a failing culvert on Thirteenth Avenue that will transfer maintenance to the county, authorized a temporary storage lease for election equipment during courthouse renovations, and approved the county’s annual Community Developmental Disability Organization (CDDO) funding agreement totaling $346,204.

The commission accepted Schrock’s retirement effective March 15, 2025, after commissioners thanked him for “40 years” of service. Schrock — who had presented the department’s 2025 weed-management plan earlier in the meeting — told commissioners, “I have the weed management plan for the upcoming year. This is a requirement of the Department of Agriculture,” and said an annual report and spring chemical purchase request will follow once figures are finalized.

Why it matters: the retirement triggers a personnel transition in a department that manages enforcement, roadside surveys and chemical control of invasive species. At the same meeting Schrock described proposed changes to the state noxious-weeds list that could bring new species under county control, and he noted practical limits where chemical controls are not available.

Weeds and program details Schrock told the commission the state’s survey sections will arrive soon and the annual report will be presented for signature when compiled. He said some species likely to be moved into regulatory lists include cutleaf and common teasel (a candidate for a Class B listing) and listed honeysuckle as another species being considered. He also said officials had opposed listing an ‘‘old world blue stem’’ because there is currently no effective chemical control. On costs, Schrock said chemical prices have largely stabilized after COVID-related spikes.

Retirement action Commissioners moved to accept Schrock’s retirement and the motion carried with voice votes recorded as “Aye. Aye. Aye.” The commission also approved a separate 15-minute executive session motion that specifically included Schrock and a staff member identified as Rick; that motion likewise carried by voice vote.

Roads: Thirteenth Avenue culvert replacement Public Works reported a failing culvert on Thirteenth Avenue, about one-tenth of a mile south of Navajo Road, that the township and county had agreed should be replaced with a larger structure and then become a county-maintained asset. The township representative, Jeff Johnson, told commissioners the township would purchase the culvert; the transcript did not specify the exact purchase price. Public Works estimated the county’s material cost at about $7,500 and provided a rough installation estimate of $20,000 plus or minus $5,000. Staff said the job would likely close the road for roughly four to five days (possibly a week including weekends) and that the replaced structure would be entered into the county’s bridge inventory for periodic inspection.

Commissioners approved a motion to authorize the county to install the replacement culvert; the motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

County clerk: temporary storage for election equipment County Clerk Holly Melroy presented a short-term sublease for two storage rooms at Warren Place LLC to hold election equipment and records while the courthouse is renovated. Melroy said the county will have camera-equipped internet access to monitor the equipment and that she already has keys to the rooms. The contract covers two rooms at $450 per month; the length was discussed as roughly a year with the possibility of an earlier move if renovation timelines allow.

The commission approved the storage contract between Warren Place LLC and McPherson County for the two rooms at $450 per month; the motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

CDDO annual agreement and funding The commission approved the county’s annual CDDO (Community Developmental Disability Organization) agreement for FY2025. The contract paper in the packet lists a total grant of $346,204. Commissioners and staff discussed state aid line items that the transcript records as roughly $131,000 in one state-aid line and $93,000 for administration; the county administrator noted most state aid will be allocated to service providers, particularly for transportation costs. The agreement includes an item labeled “functional assessment reimbursement,” which staff said had increased from previous years (from “1.10” to “1.15” in the transcript’s wording).

Routine approvals The commission also approved routine financial and administrative items: a cleanup batch of checks and payroll, an ads-and-abates batch, and a cereal malt beverage (CMB) license for Red Hills Country Store in Canton Township. Each motion carried by voice vote.

Planning and zoning, sheriff’s report Planning and Zoning Administrator John Kinsey reported monthly activity: he said the office processed several permits in December with a reported total permit valuation of $1,152,500 and that permit counts for 2024 were 47 (compared with 10 in 2023). Kinsey told commissioners the office collected fees (the transcript contains an unclear figure when read back aloud), and he included a year-to-date summary and GovBuild data showing address issuances and encounters.

A county law enforcement representative reported the jail population at 44 inmates (37 males, seven females), with 41 held for district court and three held for municipal court; the office reported 16 arrests during the week and described a fatal collision on an interstate in McPherson County that local deputies assisted on. The speaker also introduced a newly hired officer, Charlie McFaul, who previously served in the Marine Corps and had 3½ years with the McPherson Police Department.

What’s next Commissioners recessed and scheduled a later meeting at the Canton Fire Station to discuss roads at Maxwell Game Preserve. Several departments said they will return with required documents (for example, the weed department’s annual report and chemical purchase figures) for signature and further action.

Votes at a glance - Motion to approve the meeting agenda: approved by voice vote. - Motion to enter a 15-minute executive session including Dan Schrock and Rick: approved by voice vote. - Motion to accept the retirement of Dan Schrock, effective March 15, 2025: approved by voice vote. - Motion to approve the Warren Place LLC storage contract for election equipment (two rooms, $450/month): approved by voice vote. - Motion to approve replacement of the culvert on Thirteenth Avenue (1/10 mile south of Navajo Road): approved by voice vote. - Motion to approve cleanup batch checks and payroll: approved by voice vote. - Motion to approve ads and abates: approved by voice vote. - Motion to approve the FY2025 CDDO annual agreement (total grant $346,204): approved by voice vote. - Motion to approve a cereal malt beverage license for Red Hills Country Store, Canton Township: approved by voice vote.

(Where the transcript did not supply specific vote tallies by individual commissioner, actions are reported as recorded in the meeting: motion, voice second and the chair’s statement “Aye. Aye. Aye. Motion carries.”)