Finney County commission approves appointments, funding moves and facility contracts; names EOC for longtime emergency manager

Finney County commissioners on Monday took a string of procedural and budget actions ranging from an appointment to the Holcomb–Garden City–Finney County Area Planning Commission to funding transfers for an EMS/health department facility, set a public hearing on the county's five‑year solid waste plan and approved construction contracts for a treasurer's office remodel. The board also approved change orders funded from remaining ARPA dollars for sewer work and adopted a resolution naming the Emergency Operations Center for longtime emergency manager Harold Dave Jones.

The most immediately consequential votes included: the appointment of Tim Hannigan to the at‑large seat on the Holcomb–Garden City–Finney County Area Planning Commission; setting a public hearing for Jan. 27, 2025, to consider adoption of the county's 2025 Solid Waste Management Plan (a statutorily required five‑year update); approval of multiple transfers to fund a planned health‑department/EMS facility and related equipment; authorization to use up to $75,000 of remaining ARPA funds for three sewer modernization change orders; carryover of previously authorized ARPA funds to cover 2025 North Pump Station operations; and authorization for the county administrator to sign a construction contract for the Treasurer's Office remodel with total construction and related costs not to exceed $450,000.

Why it matters: the financial votes move two multi‑million dollar capital efforts closer to construction and set a statutorily required public process for solid waste planning. The combination of one‑time federal ARPA dollars and county general‑fund transfers will fund immediate change orders and seed operating for new sewer and pump‑station districts; the board also signaled intent to seek state legislative authorization for a county sales tax should voters be asked to fund a new jail and law‑enforcement center in a future referendum.

Key motions and outcomes

- Appointment to Holcomb–Garden City–Finney County Area Planning Commission: The board appointed Tim Hannigan to the at‑large seat for a one‑year term (to 12/31/2025). A competing nomination for Cindy Unger failed for lack of a second; the board then nominated and approved Hannigan. The motion carried; one commissioner registered opposition during the roll call. (Transcript evidence: appointment discussion and vote.)

- Solid Waste Management Plan public hearing set: The board set a public hearing for Monday, Jan. 27, 2025, at 8:30 a.m. and directed staff to publish the required notice in the official newspaper at least 15 and not more than 30 days before the hearing. Staff noted that Kansas state statute requires counties to adopt and update a five‑year solid waste management plan. The motion to set the hearing carried unanimously.

- Rural Opportunity Zone (student loan repayment) program participation: The board adopted Resolution 1‑25 authorizing participation in the Rural Opportunity Zone student loan repayment program for 2025 and approved budgeting $15,000 for the program (the amount was included in the 2025 budget). Staff said previous payments varied by year and that a $10,000 marketing grant had been awarded in 2024 to support recruitment videos. The resolution passed by voice vote.

- Health department / EMS facility funding (end of 2024 and 2025 transfers): The board approved a transfer of $800,000 from the general fund and $280,000 from the EMS operating fund to support the ongoing health department/EMS facility project (end‑of‑2024 transfers). The board separately approved 2025 budgeted transfers for the project including $2,475,000 from the general fund and a $150,000 equipment reserve transfer to be routed through operating into the construction fund. Commissioners said bids for construction will determine final cost; staff said project expenditures to date total just under $540,000. Both motions carried.

- Sewer modernization change orders and ARPA: Staff presented three change orders on the sewer modernization project totaling $72,267.99 and recommended using up to $75,000 of remaining ARPA funds. The board authorized transfer of the ARPA balance (up to $75,000) to cover the change orders; staff noted the overall modernization project is roughly a $4 million effort and that the remaining ARPA balance would be small after the transfer. The motion carried.

- North Pump Station operations and ARPA carryover: The board approved carrying forward previously authorized ARPA funds originally designated for 2024 North Pump Station operations to be used for 2025 operations, pending creation and fee structure for the new district; staff estimated roughly $20,000–$25,000 of the previously authorized ARPA funds remained unspent and would be applied to 2025 operations. Motion carried.

- Treasurer's Office remodel contract authorization: After staff described a two‑phase construction approach to keep the office open during work, the board authorized the county administrator to sign the construction contract with Lee Construction for the Treasurer's Office remodel with total costs (including architectural fees and minor change orders) not to exceed $450,000. The motion carried; county staff noted there were sufficient capital reserve funds to cover the project.

- Emergency Operations Center renamed: By resolution the board unanimously approved naming the county Emergency Operations Center the Harold Dave Jones Emergency Operations Center in recognition of Jones's service as the county's emergency manager (1994–2006) and later as a commissioner. The board held a short presentation and plaque dedication.

Other business and staff reports

- Tax foreclosure sale update: County counsel reported the tax foreclosure case remains pending; the assigned judge retired and the governor's judicial appointments were expected to affect the schedule. Counsel estimated approximately 15 properties remained in the current sale. The board discussed the intent to pursue annual tax sales when appropriate.

- Capital projects and legislative strategy: In staff and commissioner remarks the board discussed upcoming pre‑bid meetings for the health/EMS project and progress on LEC (law enforcement center) design work. Commissioners and the county's newly elected state legislators in attendance said they expect to seek legislative authorization for a county sales tax if the commission pursues a voter referendum to fund a new jail and LEC remodel; commissioners noted state law limits counties to a 1 percent sales tax without special authorization and said any change would require action in Topeka.

What the record shows and what it does not: The transcript records voice votes and procedural —aye— responses rather than roll‑call tallies for most items; where a named commissioner voiced a specific yea or nay that is noted above, and where the transcript did not identify individual votes the article does not attribute a named vote to a specific commissioner. The board directed staff to publish notices and to proceed with contract execution and transfers as described; final construction award and project costs will depend on forthcoming bids and the mechanics of fund routing explained by staff.

Ending note: The board held a series of brief retiree recognitions and presentations after the business agenda; multiple retiring commissioners and the incoming state legislators were acknowledged during the meeting.