Commission debates legal-notice publication after single RFP response; decision tabled
Summary
Staff reported only Harvey County Now submitted a 2026 RFP for legal notices (weekly, $6.50/column inch); the Newton Kansan did not submit but offered to continue at prior rates. Commissioners disagreed over unbudgeted increased cost (~$15,000) and tabled the selection until the next meeting.
County staff told commissioners Dec. 23 that only Harvey County Now submitted a formal proposal to publish 2026 legal notices (weekly, $6.50 per column inch, circulation 2,548) while Cherry Road Media (Newton Kansan) did not respond to the RFP but offered to continue under the existing contract at $2.25 per column inch and a smaller circulation. The staff estimate showed selecting Harvey County Now would raise 2026 legal publication costs by roughly $15,000 compared with continuing the Newton Kansan at current rates.
Publisher Lindsey Young urged the commission not to select the Newton Kansan and argued the selection "should not be based on price per column inch alone" because Harvey County Now has higher circulation and local ownership. Chad Frey, editor of the Newton Kansan, said the paper had not received the RFP in time and framed the matter as a fairness issue. Commissioners discussed budget impacts and timing; Commissioner Becky Reimer favored selecting the locally owned paper for reach, while Commissioner Terry Scott preferred extending the current Newton Kansan contract for one more year and reissuing an RFP for 2027 to allow budget planning. The commission agreed to table the decision to the next meeting.
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