Coffey County meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Coffey County Board Faces Budget Hearings, Rezoning, and Litigation Vote

The Coffey County Board of Commissioners has not yet made any decisions in the past two weeks, as all recent meetings were agenda-only with minutes not yet published. The most consequential upcoming action is the 2027 budget and revenue-neutral rate (RNR) hearings scheduled for August 24, which will affect county and Fire District #1 property tax rates.

Recent meetings

August 10 – County Commissioners

The board heard a presentation from Midwest Engineering on the PWWSD#12 Water Treatment Facility Upgrade Project and an update from the Road & Bridge Superintendent. No votes or decisions were listed on the agenda.

August 12 – Planning Board

The planning board considered a rezoning application (Case ZC-2026-02) for 531.3 acres at 1307 20th Rd, Waverly, from Agricultural (AG) to Industrial (I) district. The board also reviewed a preliminary plat for the Prairie Grass Industrial Park, located from 20th Rd to 18th Rd east of US-75 Hwy. A work session on the Comprehensive Plan with Marvin Planning Consultants was held, along with staff reports from the Environmental Health Director and Zoning Administrator. No decisions were recorded.

August 17 – County Commissioners

The agenda included a vote on whether to participate in federal litigation proposed by the Kansas Natural Resource Council (KNRC) regarding recent Endangered Species Act regulatory changes. The board also canvassed the August 4 primary election results and heard a presentation from the Sheriff's Office about a Zombie 2k/5k run benefiting Special Olympics. Minutes have not yet been published, so the outcome of the litigation vote is not known.

Coming up

August 24 – County Commissioners

Public hearings will be held on the 2027 budgets and revenue-neutral rate (RNR) for both Fire District #1 and the county. The board will also receive a monthly update from Emergency Management and interview a potential interim county appraiser.

August 26 – Planning Board

The board will consider a conditional use application (Case CU-2026-01) for a 285-foot guyed wireless communication facility, with a total height of 295 feet including a lighting rod, within a 40' x 50' fenced compound. A comprehensive plan work session with Marvin Planning Consultants will be held via Teams, and staff reports from Environmental Health and Zoning will be presented.

All meetings are open to the public. Agendas and minutes are available on the Coffey County website.

Coffey County planning board to weigh 531-acre industrial rezoning; recent meetings held without published minutes

Coffey County officials held several meetings over the past two weeks, but minutes have not yet been published, so no formal decisions are available to report. The most consequential item on the horizon is a special Planning Board meeting scheduled for Aug. 12 to consider rezoning more than 531 acres for industrial use and to review a preliminary plat for a new industrial park.

Recent meetings

County Commissioners – July 27

The Board of County Commissioners met to hear a presentation from Scot Jeffers regarding Coffey County OK Kids and received a monthly update from Emergency Management. No minutes have been published.

Planning Board – July 29 (two meetings)

The Coffey County Planning Board held a work session on the Comprehensive Plan with Marvin Planning Consultants. The agenda also included reports from Environmental Health and the Zoning and Subdivision Administrator. The same agenda was listed under both the County Commissioners and Planning & Zoning bodies. Minutes are not yet available.

County Commissioners – Aug. 3

The board discussed an Airport Utilities Feasibility RFP presented by Economic Development Director Jenny Tatman. The remainder of the agenda consisted of procedural items. No minutes have been published.

Upcoming: Special Planning Board meeting – Aug. 12

The Coffey County Planning Board will hold a special meeting to consider a rezoning application (Case ZC-2026-02) for 531.3 acres at 1307 20th Rd, Waverly, from Agricultural (AG) to Industrial (I) district. The board will also review a preliminary plat for the Prairie Grass Industrial Park, located from 20th Rd to 18th Rd and east of US-75 Hwy.

In addition, the board will conduct a work session on the Comprehensive Plan with Marvin Planning Consultants. Staff reports will be presented by Environmental Health Director Carl Lee and Zoning and Subdivision Administrator Heidi Harris.

This meeting is significant because it involves a large land-use change that could affect future industrial development and employment in the area. Residents with an interest in the property or the Comprehensive Plan may want to attend.

Coming up

• **Coffey County Planning Board special meeting** – Aug. 12, agenda includes rezoning Case ZC-2026-02, Prairie Grass Industrial Park preliminary plat, Comprehensive Plan work session, and staff reports.

No other upcoming meetings are listed in the next 14 days.

Coffey County approves $254,497 Law Enforcement Center payment, signals intent to exceed revenue neutral rate

Coffey County Commissioners approved a $254,497.55 payment for the Law Enforcement Center project and voted 4-1 to notify the County Clerk of intent to exceed the Revenue Neutral Rate at their July 20 meeting, the only meeting in the past two weeks with published minutes.

Law Enforcement Center and bridge work

The Commission approved a $254,497.55 payment to River City Constructions, LLC for Law Enforcement Center Phase 2. The board also approved two geotechnical services agreements with UES for bridge replacements: $10,348.00 for Bridge No. 169 and $8,548.00 for Bridge No. 156.

Tax rate

Commissioners voted 4-1 to send a Notice of Intent to exceed the Revenue Neutral Rate, with a proposed rate of 54.417. The Revenue Neutral Rate is the tax rate that would generate the same revenue as the prior year at the current assessed valuation; exceeding it requires public notice. No further detail on the vote breakdown or a public hearing date for the tax rate was included in the minutes.

Surplus property auction

The board approved a public hearing for the auction of 71.65 acres of North Property in Lebo. The hearing date was not specified in the available summary.

Appointments and audit

The Commission appointed Travis Sipe to the Tourism and Visitors Board and Michael Griffith as Clerk of Burlington Township. The board also approved the 2025 Audit and Audit Engagement Letter with Jarred, Gilmore & Phillips, PA.

Meetings without published minutes

Two additional meetings occurred in the past two weeks, but minutes have not yet been published, so only agenda items are available.

On July 27, Commissioners were scheduled to hear a presentation by Scot Jeffers regarding Coffey County OK Kids and receive a monthly update from Emergency Management.

On July 29, the Coffey County Planning Board was scheduled to hold a work session on the Comprehensive Plan with Marvin Planning Consultants, along with reports from Environmental Health and the Zoning and Subdivision Administrator.

Coming up

The Board of County Commissioners meets today, August 3, to discuss an Airport Utilities Feasibility RFP presented by Economic Development Director Jenny Tatman. The remainder of that agenda consists of procedural items, according to the posted agenda.