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Geary County commissioners discuss adding seats; staff outline statutory process
Summary
Commissioners discussed possibly increasing the county commission from three to five or seven seats and reviewed statutory options (resolution or petition), election timing and how vacancies would be filled; staff recommended public hearings and illustrative redistricting before moving forward.
Speakers discussed whether Geary County should consider increasing the number of county commissioners and what the statutory process would require. Unidentified Speaker 9 recited relevant statutory avenues and timing, saying the change "can be set in 3, 5, or 7 by resolution" or initiated by petition and that, if approved, it must appear on a general election ballot. He cited statutes (transcript: "KSA 19 2 0 4" and "KSA 19 2 0 3 a") and said vacancies created by increasing the number of commission districts are filled by election rather than appointment.
Several speakers recommended public hearings and suggested staff prepare sample redistricting illustrations showing how a switch to five seats might look. "It might be worth it to have a public hearing or two," Speaker 9 said, adding that the clerk's office would need at least about 60 days to prepare for any change that would appear on a general election ballot.
No resolution or petition was filed at the meeting. The group agreed to gather more information and, if desired, schedule a public meeting to gauge public sentiment before any formal action.
