Finney County commissioners approve transfers, appointments and project funding in Feb. 17 meeting

The Finney County Board of County Commissioners on Feb. 17 handled a slate of routine and project‑level business: approving year‑end transfers, moving money into designated reserve funds, making two appointments, certifying the county inventory and authorizing county participation in a road improvement project.

Consent agenda and tax roll corrections: Chair moved the consent agenda with corrections to the tax roll; Lori from the Appraiser’s Office asked that items 35–37 be excluded from the approval, and the board approved the consent agenda with that exclusion.

Appointments: The board appointed Duane Drees to fill an unexpired county‑appointed seat on the joint City/County sales tax oversight board through July 2029 after Martin Nusser’s resignation. The board also reappointed Walker H. Frey to serve as the county’s non‑lawyer representative on the 25th Judicial District Nominating Commission for a term from March 2, 2026, to March 5, 2030.

Transfers and reserve funding: Treasurer Trista Joyce presented the 2025 year‑end transfers to capital and equipment reserves, which the board approved. The commission adopted three separate resolutions to move budgeted funds within statutorily authorized accounts: Resolution 04‑2026 transferring $600,000 from the Road & Bridge Fund to the Special Highway Fund (KSA 68‑590); Resolution 05‑2026 transferring $225,000 to the Special Equipment Fund (KSA 68‑141gs) to build equipment reserves (including for two new graders); and Resolution 06‑2026 transferring $55,000 from the Noxious Weed Fund to the Noxious Weed Capital Outlay Fund (KSA 2‑13‑18).

Northwest Industrial Road Improvement: Staff requested and the board approved authorizing up to $425,000 from the jointly held Economic Development Incentive Fund (current balance reported as $924,229.63) toward the county’s local share of the Northwest Industrial Road Improvement Project. Staff said the most recent total project estimate is $2,538,767.44 and that developer participation and bid adjustments reduced earlier estimates.

Inventory and reports: The Board certified the Finney County inventory as of Dec. 31, 2025, as required under KSA 19‑26‑867. The county treasurer and staff also presented a 2025 sales tax revenue report showing collections by month and a breakdown among the county’s sales tax levies; staff noted sales‑tax receipts are reported two months after collection. Lana Duvall, president and CEO of Finney County Economic Development Corporation, provided an update on housing, retail recruitment, renewable energy efforts and legislative advocacy.

Administrative items: County Administrator Derek Ramos updated the board on the jail services contractor selection process; four firms advanced to interviews and proposal opening set for Feb. 27. The board recessed for an executive session as described in the packet and later returned to approve SUP application materials needed to implement Article 36 of the zoning code.

All motions and routine decisions described above passed by votes recorded in the meeting minutes.