The McPherson County Board of County Commissioners approved several measures at its meeting, including a resolution authorizing judicial foreclosure and sale of tax-delinquent properties, a five-year body-camera and cloud-storage contract, and the hiring of a new public works director.

Commissioners adopted Resolution No. 2024-24, presented by Commissioner Brian Bina, authorizing judicial foreclosure and sale of real estate for tax delinquency. Bina said staff reduced a preliminary list of more than 100 properties to 39 that will be moved forward now, and noted the county's longstanding practice of not placing properties on a tax sale that are less than three years delinquent.

The board approved a five-year equipment-and-service agreement for law-enforcement cameras with Axon Enterprises Inc. Sheriff Bergstrom recommended the Axon proposal as the low bid and highlighted features including cloud storage and automatic recording triggered by taser activation. The sheriff conveyed his calculation of the cost as roughly $40,009.13 per year and said $42,000 was budgeted; commissioners moved to approve an annual fee not to exceed $40,909.13 and the motion carried by voice vote.

The board accepted the resignation of County Appraiser Joseph Penicuff, effective Dec. 31, 2024. Commissioners also approved several Personnel Change Notices, including promotions and one-time payments, and unanimously moved to hire David Bonhamblass as the county's public works director effective Feb. 1, 2025; the county administrator was directed to prepare the personnel paperwork for the Jan. 6 meeting.

Other board business included approval of an accounting engagement for Community Corrections with Schmidt and Stuckey LLC at $125 per hour to satisfy reporting requirements, authorization to seek bids for erosion-control mats on a steep bank near Pioneer Road, and signature of a quitclaim deed for a space at Crestwood Memorial Park. Commissioners approved checks, claims, payroll and ads and abates as presented.

Votes at a glance:
Resolution No. 2024-24 (authorize judicial foreclosure and sale of real estate): approved (motion presented by Commissioner Brian Bina).
Axon five-year camera/cloud contract: approved (motion set an annual fee not to exceed $40,909.13).
Engagement letter with Schmidt and Stuckey LLC (Community Corrections accounting): approved (hourly rate presented as $125).
Acceptance of county appraiser resignation (Joseph Penicuff), effective 12/31/2024: approved.
Hire of David Bonhamblass as public works director, effective 02/01/2025: approved.
PCNs (Kim Lewis, Giulietta Marquez, Trisha Rochelle; one-time $1,200 payment included) and promotion of Tiffany Blake to commercial appraiser: approved.

The meeting concluded with scheduling of departmental interviews for Jan. 6 and adjournment. Commission discussion and motions were conducted by voice vote; the meeting record does not include a roll-call tally for each motion.