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Geary County commissioners discuss expanding commission size; statutory steps outlined
Summary
Commissioners reviewed options to increase the county commission from three to five members, discussed KSA 19-204 and KSA 19-203 petition and resolution routes, and recommended public hearings and sample redistricting maps before proceeding.
Commissioners discussed a proposal to increase the county commission from three to five members and reviewed the statutory mechanisms and timeline for such a change.
Speaker 9 referenced state law—KSA 19-204 and related KSA 19-203—explaining that a county can change the number of commission districts either by a commission resolution or by citizen petition (which requires signatures from 5% of qualified electors). Any change approved by resolution or petition must be submitted to voters at a general election, and, as described in the statute, the change may not take effect until subsequent elections; staff noted the process could require up to two election cycles to complete implementation.
Speakers recommended holding public hearings or public-comment sessions to “take the temperature” of voters and consider sample redistricting maps to show how new districts might look. Staff also discussed practical steps, including drafting talking points for legislators and creating illustrative district maps so residents could see potential consequences of changing the commission size.
No formal motion to change the commission size was taken at the meeting. Commissioners indicated they would consider scheduling public hearings and possibly placing the issue on a future agenda for formal action.
