Resident urges commissioners to investigate annexation dispute, alleges mayor/appraiser pressured cattle removal

During a lengthy public comment, a resident (speaker 5) described owning agricultural land that he says was annexed into the City of Saint Francis in the 1950s but remains taxed as agricultural. The resident alleged Mayor Amanda Milne — who the resident said also serves as the Cheyenne County appraiser — has used mayoral authority to demand removal of cattle from that land and is, in the resident's words, "using her municipal office to pressure you while holding total control of your property valuations."

The resident asked the county commissioners to consider statutory de-annexation (citing "KSA 12-520b" in his prepared remarks) and urged the board to assert its oversight of the county appraiser. He said the city gave him a deadline of Sept. 1 to remove his cattle and claimed the city's actions constitute retaliation and "official misconduct." The resident provided the commission with documents and asked the board to review them publicly at a commission meeting.

County attorney (speaker 6) responded that the county attorney's office represents the county and that he would need to review annexation records, statutes, and the factual record before offering legal guidance. He told the resident he would research the matter and try to provide information by the resident's meeting with the city on Aug. 10. Chair and commissioners asked the resident to share the documents and the county attorney provided a private office number for follow-up. The transcript records that commissioners agreed to investigate but did not take immediate formal action beyond directing staff and counsel to research the matter.