[{"_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",6427414,"mediaKeyId","5897031-fbe17493dd1dd4904e1f3193747603b6","parentId",5897031,"title","Seward County hires outside counsel to advise on wind farm proposals after Invenergy files permit","audioSeconds",930,"startMs",280000,"endMs",1210000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5897031-fbe17493dd1dd4904e1f3193747603b6&start=280&end=1210","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5897031-fbe17493dd1dd4904e1f3193747603b6/thumbnail_280000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6427414/Seward-County/Kansas/Seward-County-hires-outside-counsel-to-advise-on-wind-farm-proposals-after-Invenergy-files-permit","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6427414-598c528328434244adba206fdb93985c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770670722&Signature=gdcc4UEKv06rudmn5w4wxSyTbRQ1xlDCoX4dSaYZ0Rfiq8okW5G4EotsiKegXqQKkBjlPM-UYZniNZY-DMFKpaYor96mJ~-NIzb90~GjI-G5dwJMpnMZIivEzqnzIwWygZENTJxqrx3LPb7o9pf7zc06-ZaNOiLsWOVefbcm-NSMRr-qeTMZvHgME09TuSH5AGlyJ3mVbrgdhNOoVaqnOKZRPezfpMDDTMEv2jTRLY07OoCRiXsAFenqG2vkHbTAB2k1qtqpIyjJ1VmzxKSDBnlpX2jHUFfNDI0NU3lJSq-xnoFYuk9PoPhzVZhVuMVGkheAsm0la-36XTcQQbI~ow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Seward County","date","2025-10-06T00:00:00Z","article","The Seward County Board of County Commissioners voted to retain Glenn Curb of Curb's Law Office to provide legal counsel on wind- and solar-related matters after representatives for Invenergy filed a conditional use permit with the county Planning and Zoning office.

The move follows a public presentation by an attorney who described her experience with wind and solar projects and a series of questions from commissioners about tax treatment, decommissioning obligations and related agreements. The board’s motion to retain Curb was made by Commissioner Helm, seconded by Commissioner Fuller, and approved by a show of hands.

The visiting attorney, identified in the meeting as Trish, told the commission she has worked on multiple wind and solar matters in Kansas and represents a range of clients, including counties, landowners and developers. “I know Seward County has a resolution out there allowing wind farms and solar farms in the county,” Trish said, and advised commissioners that the scope of legal work can vary depending on what the county requests.

Commissioners pressed several specific concerns. One asked whether equipment that can be moved would be excluded from property tax and whether county taxpayers could recover to collect property tax if developers later claimed exemptions. Another asked about industry norms for when decommissioning funds must be fully funded during the project life cycle. Trish declined to give legal advice on specific recovery strategies on the spot but said practices have evolved and that decommissioning requirements have changed over time.

Planning and Zoning staff notified the board that Invenergy had filed a conditional use permit application; an engineer associated with the project was present in the audience. Commissioners discussed practical elements the county will need counsel to review, including road‑use agreements, pilot payments, decommissioning language and whether developer-funded legal fees would affect independence of counsel.

Commissioner discussion also compared two prospective outside counsel options. Chairman Carr summarized interviews with two firms and recommended retaining Glenn Curb of Dodge City; the motion to hire Curb passed. The board directed that the retention encompass negotiation and review of the agreements typically associated with utility-scale projects.

The board did not adopt specific contract language during the meeting; staff said rate letters and engagement letters from both firms are available for review. Planning staff and county administrators were instructed to coordinate with retained counsel as the conditional use review proceeds.

What happens next: Planning and Zoning will continue processing Invenergy’s conditional use permit application and the county’s retained counsel will advise on draft agreements and regulatory questions as the application moves through the review process.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","County Commission-Regular","oneSentenceSummary","The Board of County Commissioners voted to retain attorney Glenn Curb to advise the county on wind and solar project agreements after Invenergy filed a conditional use permit with Planning and Zoning. Commissioners and a visiting energy attorney discussed taxes, decommissioning and road-use agreements during a public presentation.","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},6427407,"Seward County commissioners debate revisiting 2026 budget amid public criticism",536,1224000,1760000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5897031-fbe17493dd1dd4904e1f3193747603b6&start=1224&end=1760","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5897031-fbe17493dd1dd4904e1f3193747603b6/thumbnail_1224000.jpg","/articles/6427407/Seward-County/Kansas/Seward-County-commissioners-debate-revisiting-2026-budget-amid-public-criticism","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6427407-2ee92c884df91338b68c59929952989e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770670722&Signature=LczJKkfU7oJFAC3HYFGuBlWzNCzI6PJ3VgzvFmX8YMgVQ~pUV6JVoaCwOnEN8-MJMPw7PtwI8wF~cH7hsC4cALeTSMx0tQI3kuLA05CpPIbEvWHG2UaFDb5SZ2DHaQcrODmu1Z7EFDzcQC5eJ7yczL~eMQ7qZ5Wk3rvZPnk64VMw4NH-3XIpCB-QS4BnZCtm~v-buib2jKo3uZvBbEppHApj4QyqJroYkd06IWN1KGV1bK-m0sXnq3FK-LaZ7tJFdaOIMzFifPF3GCPJE4soqu0NCkRf4CnBP~MGTTmp4A3oTa6usX33XCWFRefA3Cu5s2tApAaTZpe4QO3Y7CZkWQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Commissioners at a Seward County meeting debated whether to revisit and reduce the 2026 budget after residents and some commissioners expressed strong negative reactions to the approved plan.

The discussion centered on reserve and contingency balances. Commissioner comments and auditor verification indicated the county had set aside $1,000,000 carried over from the current year and budgeted an additional $1,500,000 for 2026—for a total set-aside of $2,500,000. Commissioner comments showed disagreement over whether that amount and other elements of the budget were appropriate given concerns about local economic impacts and possible tax mill increases.

One commissioner called for re-examining reductions and said options such as “no-fund warrants” exist but are not guaranteed. Another commissioner pushed back sharply, noting the board had held eight budget workshops and had already made multiple cuts. The same commissioner said employee benefits and staffing changes had been previously discussed and reduced during workshops.

Auditor Dustin Ormiston was cited during discussion to verify the rollover and budget figures. Commissioners also raised concerns about county reserves, the effect of the budget on the local real estate market and whether the county had adequately explained numbers during prior public sessions. Several commissioners criticized public comments that, they said, relied on incomplete or second‑hand information rather than figures verified at budget sessions.

No motion to amend the adopted 2026 budget was made or approved at the meeting. Several commissioners urged that any substantial reconsideration be preceded by a special session and staff-provided analyses; others said the eight prior workshops had afforded ample opportunity for input and that the matter had already been decided by a 3–2 vote during the approval process.

Commissioners requested follow-ups including periodic reports on receivables aging for departments (landfill, waste haul and others) and a plan to meet with the county auditor to review the final audit in detail. The board scheduled an audit review and indicated it will bring receivables reports back on a recurring schedule so departments’ outstanding balances are monitored more frequently.","Commissioners disputed whether to reopen the 2026 budget after public backlash, with debate focused on reserve levels, a potential $2.5 million set-aside, and whether previously held budget workshops addressed community concerns. No formal budget change was approved.",{"_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},6427392,"Seward County approves tentative WIC contract signature and transfers $35,000 to cover staff during government shutdown",521,2487000,3008000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5897031-fbe17493dd1dd4904e1f3193747603b6&start=2487&end=3008","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5897031-fbe17493dd1dd4904e1f3193747603b6/thumbnail_2487000.jpg","/articles/6427392/Seward-County/Kansas/Seward-County-approves-tentative-WIC-contract-signature-and-transfers-35000-to-cover-staff-during-government-shutdown","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6427392-c61aaf648030b0122f6d62e6b8742c7f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770670722&Signature=ntJdX7~JKNiEihzGCjGAmUBejnCfw8yjQnqjE430VlXQPyIOqjTI7OYaDeHQpf~y53lyMKIiEMf1sGejzucKWF~taAMWXGIqQGKP3xLMLDon6z6wO~LTNTWJ-4tyNYq60gP7uan~-nr8BMEGpXCGpSMq7dFRPGTSBkkUqDhADx2XsxU5k8SdW95sscfFsRCTixoO4rNgEDDAhRX0190upD02NVgmBs9Oj1TV~8IMqP7J5Icuj9vK9aOKp3Jd31RVJQN5pV-RwlG6k-YiWP5kQQ00AGJl-jQyD06rNX-d~ps2uAiyw3CSs1dFpzUQB2Tefc90moozw0ElNjgykldcmg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Seward County Board of County Commissioners approved two actions to keep the county WIC program operating while federal funding is at risk during a government shutdown: they authorized Health Director Bree Greason to sign a tentative State WIC contract via DocuSign, and they approved transferring up to $35,000 previously earmarked in fourth-quarter health sales tax dollars to fund WIC staff in the short term.

Tammy Thompson, the county’s WIC director, told the board the state had provided a tentative allocation of $387,185 for federal nutrition services administrative funds and $15,000 for breastfeeding peer counselor funds for a tentative total of $402,185 for State Fiscal Year 2026. She said the state typically provides final federal allocations later and that the county must file a tentative contract with the state by the deadline.

Thompson explained that staff could continue to issue certain benefits to clients through October under existing food and nutrition systems, but that WIC staff salaries would be at risk if federal disbursements are delayed. She said 1,260 clients are currently served by the county’s WIC program and noted historical federal WIC inflows to the county ranging from roughly $900,000 to $1.4 million in recent grant years.

A motion to permit Greason to sign the tentative contract via DocuSign was moved and seconded and approved by the board. Later in the meeting the board approved a motion to transfer $35,000 previously set aside for fourth quarter WIC needs back to cover first-quarter staff wages and benefits during the federal funding pause. Commissioner Abbott moved the transfer and Commissioner Ford seconded; the motion passed by show of hands.

WIC staff members present at the meeting included Susan Laquago and Lillia Perez. County staff said that in prior shutdowns the county was later reimbursed for such expenses but noted the state could not guarantee reimbursement this time.

County officials said the transfer is intended as a short-term measure to maintain program continuity and compliance until federal appropriations are restored or final allocations are received from the state.","The board authorized Health Director Bree Greason to DocuSign a tentative SFY 2026 WIC contract and approved moving $35,000 from a prior health-sales-tax allotment to cover WIC staff wages during a federal government shutdown.",{"_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},6427389,"Seward County approves MOU for county health department to supply nurses to detention center",109,3199000,3308000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5897031-fbe17493dd1dd4904e1f3193747603b6&start=3199&end=3308","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5897031-fbe17493dd1dd4904e1f3193747603b6/thumbnail_3199000.jpg","/articles/6427389/Seward-County/Kansas/Seward-County-approves-MOU-for-county-health-department-to-supply-nurses-to-detention-center","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6427389-df6189661ff14184962e62672a3eff31/orig.mp4?Expires=1770670722&Signature=loyDghV2JoUpiWUcXxfheL0BH8UODw2Qiqx0f~O9~iJtJpdhYVoqZ4sNO07JmGVCf34Aacz2p908XO9bZoCbCGpejO40DsQ4wA0oYKxhUnJSYBYxhs0HddIYsQytOrBW9IfltJTse9YLKQ5YjtLsj-WvztG-tpn229MnXQ0j3wgwRZqurD0qk16eoV-0hd8gQBw~lLfsdSnzeFqQxEeorm5UVj3rNmgYONrkTQxa0340J5wZsFvIs~1CEgow-sAeWyzDB8Cq66tprUVSmmNU8CJpYnKdDbjbgykbHuEhyhyGN7vL-va8eX3qFbGLegBIC0xKRhdnqtUtr1Gpfmovvw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Seward County Board of County Commissioners approved a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Seward County Health Department and the Seward County Detention Center that will have the detention center transfer $30,000 annually to the health department to cover nursing wages and services.

Health department staff presented the MOU and said the arrangement reduces the detention center’s direct hiring costs and benefits from the health department’s payroll and benefits structure. The MOU outlines a $30,000-per-year payment from the detention center to the health department to cover services and wages for nursing personnel assigned to the jail.

The board approved the MOU with the condition that county legal counsel review and sign off before final execution. County legal staff said they had received the document and expected no major issues; the board’s vote included that contingency.

County staff also verified with the county’s insurer, Travelers, that the health department nurses would be covered while working in the detention facility and said no additional insurance was required.

The MOU will be signed by the health director and the sheriff after legal review. Commissioners asked staff to coordinate the final document with county legal counsel and return it for signature.","The board approved a memorandum of understanding for the Seward County Health Department to provide nursing personnel to the county detention center, transferring $30,000 annually from the detention center to the health department; approval was contingent on county legal review and county insurance confirmed coverage.",{"_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},6427381,"Seward County appoints Laura Hershey to Council on Aging, approves planning board applicant",90,2368000,2458000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5897031-fbe17493dd1dd4904e1f3193747603b6&start=2368&end=2458","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5897031-fbe17493dd1dd4904e1f3193747603b6/thumbnail_2368000.jpg","/articles/6427381/Seward-County/Kansas/Seward-County-appoints-Laura-Hershey-to-Council-on-Aging-approves-planning-board-applicant","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6427381-7ef16eb79a4e4e97ff63b87b06bada50/orig.mp4?Expires=1770670722&Signature=P1ug9361um60kFZ-eW7CP9alH-hIAAQJDaUX6qMhzUrp5PF0R~dLX4uINwTyqkTQWm6OZnnlJuzUvTDHUEf67LlovJi1IWM4wSRxOEKFo7MZGPsMtqh4L0KjDeDPx1HoFwAfvTag0jRXx-FdAxGG3f-3niDmEHRWpfAys~K5fgnvVGhGmwPuvxSw8pY8bKmL2TN98H0jDKV1E5qhfTBOkWcNAXboPRcMGJdRZyB7oQw3mcbBzuSiQ7sGV13bRN3s5kWen4oocQlZH~pm7FnXAkPMMI1fHV3FI~fXYGnLZlkKMuK7N7I~G7PHv765spfx~U~98YJebAlMB~p7cQX0tg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Seward County Board of County Commissioners approved appointments to two advisory bodies during the meeting.

The board appointed Laura Hershey to fill an unexpired term on the Council on Aging; the motion specified the term will run through Dec. 31, 2027. Hershey was not present at the meeting.

The board also approved the application of Lori Lynn Pershey to the Planning Board and confirmed the appointment by a show of hands.

Commissioners discussed whether applicants should appear at the meeting when seeking board appointments; staff said in this instance only one application was received for the Planning Board opening and that staff had attempted to contact the applicant. There was no formal objection to the appointments and both motions were approved by the board.","The board appointed Laura Hershey to an unexpired term on the Council on Aging and approved Lori Lynn Pershey's application to the Planning Board; both appointments were approved by vote with terms and attendance noted.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Seward County hires outside counsel to advise on wind farm proposals after Invenergy files permit

Seward County commissioners debate revisiting 2026 budget amid public criticism

Seward County approves tentative WIC contract signature and transfers $35,000 to cover staff during government shutdown

Seward County approves MOU for county health department to supply nurses to detention center

Seward County appoints Laura Hershey to Council on Aging, approves planning board applicant