[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6512770,"mediaKeyId","5091763-5888771dc3ac2d5f22d0cc10a9480e02","parentId",5091763,"title","Road and Bridge asks for training funding and special highway transfer; commissioners consider timing of overlays and chip seals","audioSeconds",150,"startMs",5100000,"endMs",5250000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5091763-5888771dc3ac2d5f22d0cc10a9480e02&start=5100&end=5250","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5091763-5888771dc3ac2d5f22d0cc10a9480e02/thumbnail_5100000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6512770/Seward-County/Kansas/Road-and-Bridge-asks-for-training-funding-and-special-highway-transfer-commissioners-consider-timing-of-overlays-and-chip-seals","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6512770-c98c1854e9c36751d1a92833cc81d7ca/orig.mp4?Expires=1771007428&Signature=PIJxHb4XF2EDGlyguOerpo8eaiADeRG-5sByP5d2rbq4hDTG4I7Y6KWtoPMIY6lmyfE~GGLURICcgwBhSaymFdareqmBYoLJXTPf64lSqXucPwEVCzcHh59HjXFGwPPFObRPfXdE~5iIUAMRXR4y2KEVhWQjoedmcbygx1DHwRPu7kCXPdXyP1eh6uleS0s3HRokUpufyGv08OzEsLiZd5qJeTZAVEKUfasvqp71VR3ImgE19SBmdrN3wf-h4yIhFTDzLhTYef4daKh2aSkW-V5BFhjQ3LwFsj7~5DmEkaiDe30TwmUYovh85PvweNah1Nk8GJ-mXl5SwaRz~VA2Sg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Seward County","date","2025-06-27T00:00:00Z","article","Seward County Road and Bridge briefed commissioners on proposed 2026 budget changes, including additional training funds and a transfer plan to support near‑term road work.

The department requested increased training funds—staff proposed raising training to $15,000 to allow staff to attend LTAP and other equipment operator training, and road leadership said some courses require a minimum attendance to secure training on site. Department heads also described staffing changes tied to retirements and one position moving to a 32‑hour schedule.

On capital needs, county staff asked commissioners to approve a $600,000 transfer to the Special Highway fund for chip sealing work including Second Street and related crack‑seal/overlay projects. Road staff said the long‑range overlay for a nearby H‑RR project could total roughly $1.6 million for 7–7.5 miles, and that timing of that overlay would depend on the contractor schedule and might fall into 2026 or 2027.

Department staff also discussed equipment transfers and a planned $710,000 transfer to equipment for a 2026 project line in the draft budget. Commissioners asked staff to confirm the sequencing of chip seal, crack seal and overlay work and to consider whether to pace transfers to preserve reserves for future capital needs.

Ending: Road and Bridge will supply final project cost estimates and timing so the commission can decide whether to authorize the $600,000 transfer in the final budget adoption.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Seward County - County Commission-Work Session - Jun 27, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Road and Bridge requested funding for employee training (including LTAP) and discussed equipment and transfer needs; the commission heard a $600,000 transfer proposal into Special Highway to pay for chip sealing Second Street and an anticipated future overlay tied to an H‑RR project.","taxTitle","Seward County, Kansas","taxId",70665,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6512771,"Emergency manager retiring; commissioners asked to consider hiring an administrative assistant to sustain disaster response capacity",2086,2079000,4165000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5091763-5888771dc3ac2d5f22d0cc10a9480e02&start=2079&end=4165","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5091763-5888771dc3ac2d5f22d0cc10a9480e02/thumbnail_2079000.jpg","/articles/6512771/Seward-County/Kansas/Emergency-manager-retiring-commissioners-asked-to-consider-hiring-an-administrative-assistant-to-sustain-disaster-response-capacity","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6512771-104954e11de5868155025b227654613b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771007428&Signature=fX6w0W-iO6qAbWCsWnWXy~h38-0XgzG00Pf0-TuDHXiZGbOu7iC3pQAGpgZ-rABhSeOfsL7~hys0OA5jpP0NATer8VRhxovyoM8opySKeJ2h2ZoOOIOzx8PDZPfjnh834a0n9A9hvLxURKusj2n5wZHK2PtePSyVC0vz621WP-X5TdhqGWEaOjXHGhK4lhZsTJ-g0uYuN89oWk33FWgOHFWFjwHp2uwwTNKjBP-C84RhqucfY-AsVcMmW7GJbbW~x0Ee4iXCwj1FCD4cWc~KxXDyY9lGMRjI-JeXfIdxmPqbL8TndLXT56kXKJZGZ8PULIbhnhWInGir61HYi93loA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Seward County’s emergency manager, whose retirement was announced during the session, urged the commission to approve funding for a trained administrative assistant who could serve as an operational backup during disasters.

Commission staff told the commission that Emergency Manager Greg Standard will retire Monday and that Tim (newly designated emergency manager) is asking to fill the administrative assistant position to preserve continuity. Speakers described the period during the COVID response when the office relied on borrowed staff and temporary help; the emergency manager said rotating loaned staff frequently left the office without sustained coverage during long, unpredictable incidents.

Tim and other emergency‑management staff said a local hire who could be trained to run an Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and to prepare grant documentation would materially improve response continuity, reduce the risk of missed deadlines on grant reimbursements and provide resilience when the emergency manager is unavailable. They said training can take time, but that an assistant with basic emergency‑management training could handle many EOC tasks and maintain grant files while the manager is away.

Commissioners asked about candidate qualifications, certifications and whether current planning and zoning staff could absorb some duties. Staff replied that the administrative assistant would require specific emergency‑management certifications that current planning staff do not yet hold, though cross‑training and some shared administrative duties could help. The session did not produce a final hiring decision.

Ending: The commission will consider the administrative assistant request in the budget process and may revisit required certifications and cross‑training options in follow‑up meetings.","Seward County’s emergency manager, who retires Monday, asked the commission to fund an administrative assistant capable of covering emergency operations center duties during disasters. He and interim staff described past gaps in coverage and argued for trained backup to preserve grant compliance and continuity.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6512772,"Public health director warns of deeper cuts; proposes shared services and regional testing to offset shrinking state support",378,3248000,3626000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5091763-5888771dc3ac2d5f22d0cc10a9480e02&start=3248&end=3626","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5091763-5888771dc3ac2d5f22d0cc10a9480e02/thumbnail_3248000.jpg","/articles/6512772/Seward-County/Kansas/Public-health-director-warns-of-deeper-cuts-proposes-shared-services-and-regional-testing-to-offset-shrinking-state-support","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6512772-36e314cab10650e611001bc291326152/orig.mp4?Expires=1771007428&Signature=o951Pwrg216t0~YkfWkdpLiTzRWScUvJl6bevaLutJYl95aO2mSrg~D5iT7LzMd3p3Z1zMgeHV7le0pxfxkWwzqDlh9POV8FnCQjT7pUYwx9lXoKoJzx61Q-LjdSzqPgxH20I662APtXEv6q3i7lWvb2QisFWmv0tETvw5AbBLaIda-AJ0B07BFJx5JtLptplC79ac70HuCny29w3KXYPHGlSpEtMRo2vaC7YvZLV4CBa9BDA-pFuB6fsGlwPeKspTjFTwfEAKOgPKNOeBVw5JKKdwquDPmOxapaAE6WI~T0qCPr701BYOEOQdSeTwDTUKH1QruW6IXwHwNUTgouOQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bree, Seward County Public Health director, told commissioners the health department’s budget is under pressure from reduced state support and that the county has already made cuts and cross‑training changes. She described options for further savings and warned that deeper reductions could reduce services residents rely on.

Bree said state funding has “taken a grave hit,” prompting her office to revise the budget eight times so far this year. The department has cross‑trained staff across multiple programs; WIC staff cannot be cross‑trained because WIC is federally funded and has program‑specific requirements. The director said one medical position in MCH (maternal and child health) was not refilled and that cross‑training and process changes have reduced some costs.

To control costs while maintaining essential functions, Bree proposed: sharing one nurse with the county jail for an 8‑hour weekly shift (also described to jail leadership), bidding and renegotiating vaccine and lab pricing with the local hospital, expanding regional courier specimen pickup to serve other counties in Southwest Kansas, and continuing aggressive grant seeking for infectious‑disease nursing positions. She said the county’s testing and infectious disease workload flows from area partners and that the health department has already identified $150,000 and other cost offsets in recent years.

Bree outlined one high‑impact option: reducing department staff hours to a four‑day, 32‑hour week across the department, which she estimated would save about $62,000 but would close the clinic on Fridays, eliminate one monthly Pap clinic and risk staff turnover. She urged commissioners to weigh the public‑health implications: the department has provided cancer screening and infectious‑disease work that can avoid much larger downstream costs if left unaddressed.

The health director also described revenue growth in vaccine services and a plan to accept courier specimens for a broader Southwest Kansas region; those new services could generate revenue and reduce per‑unit costs. She asked for time to finalize pending grant applications that could offset another roughly $150,000–$200,000 if awarded.

Commissioners asked for clarifications on which positions are grant‑funded and whether cuts would force staff turnover; Bree said none of her positions are entirely grant‑funded, though some programs carry partial grant support, and she warned about the time and training cost of losing experienced nurses.

Ending: Bree asked the commission to consider service and public‑health tradeoffs before ordering deeper cuts; staff will return with revised estimates as grant outcomes and other revenue items become clearer.","Seward County Public Health reported state funding reductions and outlined steps including staff cross‑training, regional courier specimen handling and grant applications; director said reducing hours countywide would save about $62,000 but would cut community services such as monthly Pap clinics.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6512773,"Sheriff warns staffing cuts and full jail beds risk safety as commissioners review budget cuts",398,868000,1266000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5091763-5888771dc3ac2d5f22d0cc10a9480e02&start=868&end=1266","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5091763-5888771dc3ac2d5f22d0cc10a9480e02/thumbnail_868000.jpg","/articles/6512773/Seward-County/Kansas/Sheriff-warns-staffing-cuts-and-full-jail-beds-risk-safety-as-commissioners-review-budget-cuts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6512773-d58803ce9b1018e494682cdde7814f58/orig.mp4?Expires=1771007428&Signature=XvFYRZqEdeeAwKGXcS1IEEPlJMirFgt548O-aQzM218hTNOrq4WA02AWRXwlyBp~jvkTnP-8YLqSWHNfEaoYFxRZzie6V4631EEz4U9cHa4nS1wfydRCKSZfkhD5Ti-0Pb77eb4YGRZpltxdNzsP-vn~9paf~MuIm7XMoHmfK8n5yVi936os1HM~V7Bt3zgFWb~SezQMPs-vBBOvymxCoS3ykZ5ohLMJ4fqciszwv-KkK6CgNC6AnuVy3c5UMaBVt21BGW9sDb05tyoX-KlpbRlbgfXClKbE-dpIwLIR38y9Yht4Eut3HF01FAligP3WugIL5YOGc6eF2JbTAl1KiA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Seward County commissioners heard detailed questions about the sheriff’s budget and jail operations, including staffing reductions, medical expenses, and the county’s limited jail capacity.

Sheriff (unnamed in the record) and budget staff reviewed personnel and service line changes that together reduced salary costs but left the sheriff concerned about safety. The sheriff said the jail population commonly exceeds 105 people per day while capacity is 137; he warned that continued high population levels could force the county to “farm out” inmates to other jurisdictions, a practice that raises costs.

Budget staff said the sheriff’s office reduced salaries by about $47,002.65 across multiple positions and that one narcotics officer position remained funded. Jail medical and medical‑related expense lines were adjusted: staff proposed reducing the medical care line by $50,000 based on expected revenues and cost offsets, while acknowledging a single large claim could quickly consume those savings. Staff also told commissioners they plan to bid out food service contracts to reduce the food cost line.

To reduce both cost and risk from vacant nurse positions, public health and jail leadership proposed sharing a nurse. The plan would dedicate an eight‑hour health‑department nurse shift each week to the jail and place that nurse on on‑call status for new admissions and assessments; staff estimated benefit and salary offsets of roughly $25,000–$30,000 and additional savings from benefits of $30,000–$40,000, though exact numbers were preliminary.

Sheriff’s office leadership cautioned that cutting six jail positions would reduce on‑site staffing and could create safety issues on shifts with fewer officers. During the session the sheriff described an incident in which a new officer was endangered by other inmates that required multiple staff to respond; he said such incidents are harder to manage with fewer staff on a shift.

Commissioners and staff discussed juvenile detention procedure and funding: staff clarified juvenile detention is ordered by the court and that the county does not hold juveniles in adult jail facilities; separate juvenile detention obligations and occasional out‑of‑county placements affect budget unpredictability.

No formal vote was taken. Commissioners asked staff to provide clearer breakout of overtime, inmate transport/far‑out costs, and the assumptions behind the $50,000 medical reduction before any final adoption.

Ending: Staff will return with refined jail cost assumptions, details on anticipated transports and overtime, and a formal explanation of the nurse‑sharing arrangement and its projected savings.","Seward County Sheriff’s office told commissioners proposed cuts would remove six jail positions and that the jail is operating near capacity; staff proposed sharing a nurse with the health department and reducing the jail medical budget by $50,000, and commissioners pressed for details on overtime and inmate transport costs.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6512774,"Seward County staff project near-double‑digit budget increase; commissioners debate use of reserves and transfers",8984,76000,9060000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5091763-5888771dc3ac2d5f22d0cc10a9480e02&start=76&end=9060","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5091763-5888771dc3ac2d5f22d0cc10a9480e02/thumbnail_76000.jpg","/articles/6512774/Seward-County/Kansas/Seward-County-staff-project-near-doubledigit-budget-increase-commissioners-debate-use-of-reserves-and-transfers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6512774-8804ea798e58a95fb2a51660fb4f47a6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771007428&Signature=IBcafSuru8~aOE0eVabYr4jijK42p4gzNua0omhLvqQCW69fbcqo00BHIL-PxyLoeFMPAsdnXE7pDMExteajYRvh4LmIdnxMZhuHYe2bS-ILvJpozAwes5zS0XPEXnt66q-jSMJOadotK68wtdoDBS4rqKaF-2cmny71rdsEdo-zxo5r6FNA8RsRpkA0pec~YMqe7gprNCslWVN0zg9Bx~DD6Epq-Yey8iNmv6gSduFdtfWyA76ePfYhH0~6~mphAdz86v9gf01mta1js34WXl719qf4~l0ty8fd9ZrVh4KNfxsvbR82641vLklY5VSNXXzYY7aTkPdtd4ahu6U5vQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Seward County commissioners were told during a budget work session that the county’s preliminary 2026 budget shows a roughly 9.9% increase and that the commission must decide whether to shift funds, raise the mill levy or use reserves to avoid cutting services.

County finance staff presented lines showing operating pressures caused by flat levy rates, rising costs for insurance and utilities, and a series of one‑time or unusual items the commissioners have been handling from reserves. The administrator’s worksheet presented a scenario in which restoring a previously withheld reserve tied to a National Beef protest would push preliminary levy estimates into the low‑to‑mid 11‑mill range, while other scenarios without that reserve produced lower estimates. Staff characterized the current provisional levy estimate as “about 11–12 mills” depending on those choices and on final valuation figures.

Why this matters: The mill levy determines property tax collections and is the primary lever available to the commission to cover recurring costs without drawing down reserves. Commissioners discussed tradeoffs between using reserves or temporary transfers and increasing the levy, noting that drawing on reserves reduces funds available for future capital projects or emergencies.

County staff highlighted a pending transfer the commission discussed earlier in the session: a $600,000 proposed transfer to the Special Highway fund to preserve ability to chip seal Second Street and other near‑term road projects. Commissioners were told that leaving that transfer in place reduces available fund balance and would raise the levy relative to a scenario in which the transfer is cut.

Staff also reported growth in some fixed costs: commercial insurance costs the county nearly doubled in the most recent fiscal year relative to prior estimates, and utilities and postage increases are contributing to upward pressure on the general fund. Staff noted their insurance broker recommended budgeting a 15% increase for next year while the county prepares to rebid coverage.

Commissioners expressed concern about balancing short‑term relief against longer‑term capacity: restoring reserves or transferring one‑time funds reduces the county’s ability to respond to future contingencies, but immediately raising the levy risks pushback from taxpayers. Several commissioners said they preferred to show voters a conservative levy request and use targeted transfers where necessary; others urged leaving funds in a special highway or reserve to avoid deferring road maintenance.

The session did not record any formal votes. Staff said revised levy projections and the final recommended budget will return to the commission for formal adoption once valuation numbers and a final list of transfers are confirmed.

Ending: County staff will refine levy estimates and present an updated budget document at a future commission meeting; the commission did not set a final mill levy during the session.","Seward County staff told commissioners they face an estimated 9.9% year‑over‑year increase in the county budget and discussed options including a $600,000 transfer to the Special Highway fund and restoring a National Beef reserve. Commissioners weighed raising the mill levy versus drawing on reserves to cover gaps.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Road and Bridge asks for training funding and special highway transfer; commissioners consider timing of overlays and chip seals

Emergency manager retiring; commissioners asked to consider hiring an administrative assistant to sustain disaster response capacity

Public health director warns of deeper cuts; proposes shared services and regional testing to offset shrinking state support

Sheriff warns staffing cuts and full jail beds risk safety as commissioners review budget cuts

Seward County staff project near-double‑digit budget increase; commissioners debate use of reserves and transfers