Board approves Lansing—s withdrawal from Fire District 1; High Prairie detachment tabled

The Leavenworth County Board of Commissioners voted to accept a petition to alter the boundaries of Rural Fire District No. 1 by detaching the city of Lansing, and simultaneously tabled consideration of a separate petition to detach High Prairie Township until March 26.

The action on Lansing followed a petition filed with the county clerk on Feb. 11. County counsel told commissioners staff verified the petition met statutory requirements and explained the next steps: the resolution and map will be published twice in the county paper, a 30-day protest period follows, and if no sufficient protest is filed the earliest the board can finalize the boundary change is April 30.

County counsel said the petition process requires specified signatures and legal descriptions and noted that state statute requires petition thresholds and filing details; if 19% of landowners within the affected area file a timely protest, the boundary-change effort is halted. Counsel also advised the board to consider whether fire protection services and financial effects have been adequately addressed for the area seeking withdrawal.

High Prairie Township representatives told the commission they have long disputed the authority and process used to place their area under the district—s current contract. Brian Kellogg, trustee for High Prairie Township, said High Prairie filed a certified petition Jan. 17 and has been prepared to operate independently since Jan. 1. Kellogg said High Prairie objects to a contract that the township says it did not review and criticized a proposed monthly bill of roughly $34,000—$36,000 for contracted protection, adding that High Prairie had set aside $433,000 for its own fire protection.

The board moved to table the High Prairie detachment resolution so staff and commissioners could get additional answers about the provision of fire protection after detachment, outstanding financial obligations to the district, and whether a contract with High Prairie is required if it continues to be part of the district. The motion to table sets the item for consideration at the board's March 26 meeting.

The board also heard that Lansing already operates its own city fire department and had been providing services under contract; counsel said Lansing had no outstanding debt to the district. Commissioners were advised to weigh whether withdrawal would harm the remaining district—s ability to provide service and whether adequate arrangements were in place for the withdrawing area.

Published notices and the 30-day protest period are statutory steps before a final boundary declaration can be made; counsel reiterated those steps to the board. No final order was entered for High Prairie at this meeting.

If the protest period elapses without sufficient signatures, the earliest date the commission may finalize Lansing—s boundary change is April 30, staff said.

Details left unresolved at the March meeting will be addressed at future meetings, where staff will present additional documentation and any required contract terms or financial clarifications.

Ending: The Lansing petition moved forward to public notice and potential final action after the statutory protest window; the High Prairie petition was postponed so the board can gather and review additional legal, operational and financial information before deciding.