Commissioners discussed constituent requests and economic-development input about whether Geary County should expand the Board of County Commissioners from three to five seats.

Commissioner Trish (first referenced during the meeting) said residents and the county's economic development group had raised the issue and that counties such as Saline and Pottawatomie had moved to five commissioners. Proponents argued additional seats would allow smaller districts, more robust debate and improved rural representation. Opponents cautioned about costs, the difficulty of recruiting candidates and unintended changes in governance dynamics.

Legal and procedural steps were discussed: a petition path would require signatures equal to 5% of qualified electors (the clerk's figure of 18,492 electors implies about 925 signatures), or the board could pass a resolution to place the change on the next general election. Commissioner debate also covered districting approaches (mixes of urban/rural districts and at-large seats) and transitional timing if voters approved a change.

No motion to change the board size was made. Commissioners asked staff to collect additional public feedback, research statutes and return with materials for further public discussion if warranted.

Next steps: Staff to assemble statutory references, petition and election timing details and public-engagement options for future consideration.