McPHERSON COUNTY, Kan. — McPherson County Commissioners heard an update Monday on the County Building renovation project, which Max Fuqua from Fuqua Construction said is running on schedule. Fuqua noted the extreme cold temperatures in January actually worked to their advantage in terms of labor availability.
Eighteen different companies are active on the project at this time. Of the 30 to 40 that will ultimately be working on it, seven are from McPherson County and many are from the adjacent counties with four outside the immediate area. Among the major firms are Mid-Kansas Construction of Galva which provided a lot of the labor, McPherson Quality Air for the HVAC work, Funk Electric of Goessel, and Patton Fire Sprinkler from Sedgwick County.
To date, just over a third of the $6.676 million contact has been expended, and Fuqua said so far, he hasn’t run into any supply issues, having already procured a lot of material for the project.
Commissioners heard an update from Public Works Director David Bohnenblust on a number of matters, including a proposed contract with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks to perform maintenance along a segment of Pueblo Road going through the Maxwell Wildlife Refuge between 24th and 27th Avenues.
Among other things it includes filling in washouts, adding shoulders as needed, putting gravel down on soft areas, and adding topsoil and native grass planting as needed. With this contract, currently under review by County Counselor Brian Bina, KDWP will reimburse the county for up to half of the $50,000 project.
Bohnenblust also provided an update on filling an engineer position and other personnel matters, plans for milling projects, and said the asphalt plant should be up and running in a week or so.
Planning, Zoning and Environmental Administrator Jon Kinsey reported 14 building permits were issued during the month of March, with total fee revenue for the month at $4.205 and fees year to date totaling just under $11,000 for 216 permits. Kinsey also reported the steering committee for updating the county’s Comprehensive Plan will meet next week.
The Commission also approved an end of introductory raise for a 911 employee and hiring of another, and Emergency Management and Communications Director Emily Yates said a microwave unit for the new radio tower near Windom was damaged in shipment and replacement is being shipped. She also reported fire chiefs are wanting to hold off another week on imposing a burn ban for the county.
