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Commission keeps Newton Kansan as official legal notices after 2–1 vote
Summary
After debating price, circulation and statutory requirements, the Harvey County Commission voted 2–1 to continue contracting with the Newton Kansan for 2026 legal notices rather than accept a higher-priced local RFP from Harvey County Now.
The Harvey County Commission voted 2–1 on Jan. 6 to continue contracting with the Newton Kansan to publish county legal notices for 2026, rejecting a proposal from the locally owned Harvey County Now that had responded to the county's RFP.
County Administrator Kevin Frymire told the commission that Harvey County Now was the only RFP respondent, offering a $6.50 per column-inch rate and larger circulation, while the Newton Kansan offered to continue under the existing contract at $2.25 per column inch. Frymire said staff estimated the county published about 2,200 column inches in 2024 and switching to the Harvey County Now would increase the county's cost by roughly $10,000 for 2026.
Commission debate centered on circulation, local ownership, statutory obligations and budget impact. Commissioner Becky Reimer said the Harvey County Now’s proposal compared favorably on price among neighboring counties and stressed local ownership, but she was the lone commissioner to oppose staying with the Newton Kansan. Chad Frey, managing editor of the Newton Kansan, clarified the legal requirement noted in the discussion, saying that Kansas statutes require publication by a third-party newspaper though they do not prohibit posting notices online.
Terry Scott moved to continue the contract with the Newton Kansan; Don Schroeder seconded and the motion passed 2–1 (Reimer opposed). The commission later formalized the decision in Resolution 2026-2 designating the Newton Kansan as the official county newspaper for 2026.
