McPherson County raises road labor wages and equipment rates for 2026

The McPherson County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved new road and labor prices for 2026 on Jan. 14, adopting RESOLUTION #2026-2 to raise several pay and charge rates used by county road operations.

The resolution includes a $1.00-per-hour wage increase for new hires and for employees with two or more years of county employment, and increases the rates the county may charge for equipment and operator services by $10. Specific published rates include $19.00 per hour for a county employee or tractor/blade operator, $22.65 per hour for employees with two years’ county employment, $100.00 per hour for a farm tractor and implement with operator (rising to $120.00 per hour for a farm tractor of 100 HP or more used for snow removal), $210.00 per hour for a patrol or wheel loader with operator, and $130.00 per hour for a John Deere tractor with operator. The resolution notes that prices for government‑subsidized projects must be negotiated before work begins.

Commissioner Jeffrey Arensdorf moved to adopt the resolution; the motion carried with Commissioners Brett Nason, Jeffrey Arensdorf and John Bryant voting aye.

Adopting the schedule gives the county a uniform set of billable rates for work and equipment rented or performed by county forces in 2026 and ties staff pay increments to tenure. The board also adopted related personnel and appointment resolutions during the reorganizational meeting, including the appointment of Tom Werblow as Highway Superintendent and other operational actions that affect road management.

The resolution text listing the full set of rates was entered into the record and is available with the meeting minutes. The board will apply the adopted pay and charge rates to county road work and to requests for contracted assistance unless otherwise negotiated for subsidized projects.