County sets tax foreclosure sale for Nov. 19
A tax foreclosure sale is arranged when a property owner(s) have failed to pay their tax liabilities. The sale is open to the public. It is conducted in person.
The sale includes 17* properties as of Oct. 11. A map of available properties can be found here. The current owner(s) of a property have until one day before the tax foreclosure sale date to redeem a property.
The sale is made to the highest bidder for cash in hand. Bidders are required to register before the start of the sale. Registration for the sale will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Nov. 19. Bidders on properties cannot have outstanding taxes due on currently owned properties.
An example of a bidder affidavit of non-interest can be found here. More information about the sale process can be found here.
The sale will be conducted by the Harvey County sheriff. You can find the notice of sheriff sale here.
*Since this article was originally published, Cause 45 has been redeemed and will not be available at the foreclosure sale.
Voting information in Harvey County for the 2021 general election
The 2021 general election will determine candidates to fill several city and school board seats.
You can find a list of open seats and the candidates that have filed to fill them here. The candidate filing deadline was June 1.
Here are several important deadlines to be aware of throughout the general election:
- Oct. 12: Last day to register to vote in this election. The Clerk's Office at the Harvey County Courthouse will be open until 7 p.m. on Oct. 12 to help individuals with registration.
- Oct. 13: Mail ballots will begin to be mailed to those that have requested one.
- Oct. 19: Advanced in-person voting begins at the Courthouse. The site will continue to be open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., as well as from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 30.
- Oct. 26: This is the last day to request an advance-by-mail ballot.
- Nov. 1: Last day to vote in advance at the Courthouse. Advanced in-person voting ends at noon.
- Nov. 2: Election Day. Poll sites will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at locations throughout Harvey County. A map of polling locations can be found here.
- Nov. 9: Vote canvass.
You can register to vote, check your registration status, apply to vote by mail and follow your advanced ballot status through www.ksvotes.org.
Everbridge emergency alerts now available in Harvey County
Harvey County has made available the Everbridge emergency notification system to county residents.
Everbridge's resident alerts provide users with critical, potentially life-saving communications during public safety incidents, such as severe weather, wildfires or flooding.
"Today we make our decisions based on just-in-time information. We live in a world where current, accurate information is vital for work, home and recreation," said Harvey County Emergency Management Director Gary Denny. "Accurate and timely information is vital to enhance the safety of our community."
Users can choose how those notifications are delivered to them, including by cell phone, test message, home phone, email and more. Residents that sign up for the service have control over what types of information for which they would like to receive alerts.
Residents can also opt to receive updates from participating municipalities, such as road closures or utility maintenance happening in their city.
"Community members will be able to select the warnings they wish to receive, with the exception of one warning - tornado warning," Denny said. "We feel that the scope of this project mandates that a tornado warning must be communicated to the public as soon as possible. Therefore, the tornado warning cannot be deselected."
The Everbridge platform is available at no cost to users.
Residents can sign up for Everbridge emergency alerts here.
Commission moves forward with 2022 recommended budget
The Harvey County Commission gave its blessing to the 2022 recommended budget at its July 13 meeting, pushing the budgeting process forward by setting its public budget hearing for Aug. 24.
You can view the recommended budget here.
The Commission established a maximum tax levy of $13,967,322. Commissioners retain authority to decrease the tax levy moving ahead, but cannot exceed the set amount. The estimated mill was set at 42.649, flat from the 2021 rate.
Previous mill levies were 42.649 in 2021, 42.356 in 2020, 42.275 in 2019, and 41.937 in 2018.
Some notable capital improvement projects built into the recommended budget include:
- Finalizing funding sources and prepping to bid the reconstruction of Hesston Road
- Updating zoning and subdivision regulations, following the completion of the comprehensive plan
- Purchasing body cameras for Harvey County Sheriff's Office deputies
- Replacing the buoy system at Harvey County East Park, and updating the shower house at West Park
- Expansion design for the construction and demolition site at Solid Waste, extending the operating life of the facility
The Commission will hold a revenue neutral rate hearing and a public budget hearing on Aug. 24, with consideration of adopting the budget to follow.
Firework regulations in Harvey County for 2021
Schedules and restrictions for setting off fireworks in Harvey County vary from city to city.
The allowed times and regulations for each city for 2021 are detailed below. For additional information or questions, please contact the respective city, or Harvey County Emergency Management.
Harvey County: Fireworks are allowed on private property with approval of the landowner or occupant. Fireworks are not allowed on public roads or in public parks. Bottle rockets and projectiles are not allowed.
- July 1-4: 8 a.m. to midnight
Burrton: Fireworks are allowed on private property with the approval of the landowner or occupant. Fireworks are not allowed in city parks, on city streets or any city-owned or school property. Fireworks are not allowed in fire zones.
- June 27 - July 1: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- July 2-3: 10 a.m. to midnight
- July 4-5: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Halstead: Fireworks are allowed anywhere within the city limits except on city streets, public property, or within 50 feet of gas pumps or gas storage. Throwing fireworks at animals, people or vehicles is not allowed. Bottle rockets and projectiles are not allowed.
- July 2-4: 8 a.m. to midnight
Hesston: Fireworks are allowed on private property with the approval of the landowner or occupant. Fireworks are not allowed on city streets, public parks or on school grounds.
- July 1-3: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- July 4: 8 a.m. to midnight
Newton: Fireworks are allowed on private property with approval of the landowner or occupant. Fireworks are not allowed in city parks, on city streets or any city-owned or school property. Fireworks are not allowed in fire zones.
- July 1-2: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- July 3-4: 7 a.m. to midnight
- July 5: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
North Newton: Fireworks are allowed only on private property with the approval of landowner or occupant. Class C (common) fireworks only. Fireworks are not allowed on public streets, parks or within 50 feet of gas tanks or gas storage, and in, into, under or on any motor vehicle, nor thrown from any motor vehicle.
- July 4: 10 a.m. to midnight
Sedgwick: Fireworks are not allowed in the city park, or any city-owned or school property. Fireworks are allowed on city streets and rights of way, so long as traffic is not impeded or impaired, or private property with the approval of the landowner or occupant.
- July 1: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- July 2-3: 10 a.m. to midnight
- July 4: Noon to midnight
- July 5: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Walton: Fireworks are allowed on private property with approval of landowner or occupant. Bottle rockets and projectiles not allowed. Roman candles and fountains permitted.
- June 29 - July 1: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- July 2-4: 10 a.m. to midnight
