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.
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 to hold department budget hearings in June
The Harvey County Commission will hold its annual department budget hearings June 1-3 at the Harvey County Courthouse as it continues its work to build the 2022 recommended budget.
The budget hearings are open to the public to attend. The hearings can also be viewed online through Zoom.
The 2022 recommended budget will be presented later in June, following the budget hearings. Budgets approved in recent years can be viewed here.
The budget hearing schedule for each day is below. Times and meetings are subject to change:
June 1
- 11 a.m.: Budget and Capital Improvement Project Overview
- 11:15 a.m.: Aging
- 1 p.m.: Information Technology
- 1:15 p.m.: K-State Research and Extension (appropriation)
- 1:45 p.m.: Caring Hands Humane Society (appropriation)
- 2 p.m.: Harvey-Marion County CDDO (appropriation)
- 2:15 p.m.: Prairie View (appropriation)
- 2:30 p.m.: Health Ministries (appropriation)
- 2:45 p.m.: Harvey County Historical Society (appropriation)
- 3 p.m.: Solid Waste
- 3:30 p.m.: Emergency Management
June 2
- 9 a.m.: Treasurer's Office
- 9:15 a.m.: Appraiser's Office
- 9:30 a.m.: Road and Bridge
- 10:15 a.m.: Health
- 10:45 a.m.: Planning, Zoning and Environmental
- 11 a.m.: District Court
- 11:30 a.m.: Clerk's Office
- 1 p.m.: Attorney's Office
- 1:15 p.m.: Noxious Weed
- 1:30 p.m.: Harvey County Economic Development Council (appropriation)
- 1:45 p.m.: Mid-Kansas CAP (appropriation)
- 2 p.m.: Heart to Heart Child Advocacy Center (appropriation)
- 2:15 p.m.: Courthouse General
- 2:30 p.m.: Harvey County Free Fair (appropriation)
- 2:45 p.m.: Harvey County Indigent Defense (appropriation)
- 3 p.m.: Administration, Commission
- 3:15 p.m.: Bond and Interest
June 3
- 9 a.m.: Emergency Communications
- 9:30 a.m.: Register of Deeds
- 9:45 a.m.: Parks
- 10:15 a.m.: Sheriff's Office
- 10:45 a.m.: Harvey County Conservation District (appropriation)
- 11 a.m.: SafeHope (appropriation)
- 11:15 a.m.: Coroner's Office
- 11:30 a.m.: Newton Saddle Club (appropriation)
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
County commission removes local health orders
The Harvey County Commission voted unanimously to remove local health orders concerning COVID-19 that limited the size of mass gatherings and required face masks in Harvey County.
Both orders were removed effective immediately.
The Commission cited potential actions of the Kansas Legislature that would impact the ability of counties to implement local health orders.
"Our state legislators are making decisions that hinder local government and the local boards of health," said Harvey County Commission Chairman George 'Chip' Westfall. "We'll continue to support and encourage our residents and businesses to make sound health decisions to reduce the spread of COVID-19."
Face masks will continue to be required inside county government facilities.
"It is imperative that people continue to take personal responsibility and take common sense precautions, because COVID-19 has not gone away," said Harvey County Health Department Director Lynnette Redington. "The Health Department will continue to recommend individuals wear a face mask, social distance, and to get a COVID-19 vaccination when it is available to you."
The Commission had previously kept in place some gathering limit since Nov. 11. On Feb. 9, the Commission revised its local health order to increase the gathering limit size from 10 to 50 people.
A local health order requiring individuals to wear a face mask over their nose and mouth when 6 feet of distance could not be maintained had previously been approved Oct. 19.
Local Harvey County data on COVID-19 can be found here.
Information on local vaccine availability can be found here.
