The Bourbon County Commission voted Dec. 1 to adopt a resolution specifying that a vacancy created by the transition from three to five commissioner districts will be filled from the newly configured District 3.

County counsel read the resolution into the record and cited statutory guidance from Kansas law — including KSA 19‑203a and KSA 25‑3902 — and advice from the Kansas Secretary of State’s general counsel about lawful approaches. Counsel told commissioners that appointing from the new District 3 "best aligns with legislative intent to transition promptly to the 5 district structure" and minimizes the period residents lack representation.

Under the resolution, the appropriate political‑party precinct leaders in the new District 3 will convene to select a qualified replacement, who will serve until the winner of the special election for the new district takes office in January 2027. Commissioners voted to adopt the resolution on the record during the meeting.

Chair and counsel said the decision was made after reviewing Secretary of State guidance and legal advice; staff will prepare the final, signed resolution for the record.

Next steps: County counsel will finalize the written resolution and the clerk will publish the legal steps for the precinct leaders to convene and make the appointment per state law.