McPherson – Week of January 09 2025

1. Short-Staffed City Crews Push Through Snow Removal Despite Challenges
2. McPherson Area At 2.7% Unemployment Rate; 15% Of Workers Live Elsewhere, Commute In
3. Police Department Reports 2024 Trends, Higher Animal Shelter Adoption Rates
4. McPherson Schools' Per-Student Spending Tops $21,800, Above State Average
5. County Secures Temporary Storage for Election Equipment
Sports: Turkey Creek Names New Clubhouse Manager

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FLASH…Elm Street drainage and Euclid extension project may be suspended until spring due to weather…

1. Short-Staffed City Crews Push Through Snow Removal Despite Challenges

McPherson's Public Works crews are working 24-hour shifts to clear snow despite staffing shortages and less experienced workers. Director Jeff Woodward reported to the city commission that residential areas should be cleared by midweek, followed by downtown snow pile removal. While progress is slower than some residents might want, officials say the approach prioritizes worker safety and that the city is actually ahead of similarly-sized neighbors in the region.

Article Source: City of McPherson

2. McPherson Area At 2.7% Unemployment Rate; 15% Of Workers Live Elsewhere, Commute In

In her report to the McPherson City Commission Tuesday, MIDC Director Kasi Morales presented new labor statistics showing the area maintaining a low 2.7% unemployment rate, despite an increase of nearly 200 unemployed people from November's figures. Morales shared that McPherson County currently has 513 advertised job openings and maintains its position among Kansas's top ten counties for average annual wages at $57,2000, moving from sixth to seventh place in the latest rankings. During recent industry interviews, Morales reported that local manufacturers remained optimistic about growth. She noted that three major manufacturers - JM (Johns Manville), Turbo Chargers, and Femco - have appointed new plant managers, and revealed that MIDC is currently preparing a proposal due January 14 for a major development project, though land constraints may pose challenges despite the city's competitive electric rates.  

Morales also shared data showing about 15% of McPherson County workers commute from neighboring counties including Harvey, Marion, Reno, Rice, Saline, and Sedgwick. The data showed changing commuter patterns over the past five years, with Harvey County providing the largest share of outside workers in 2019 but being overtaken by Reno County in 2023. Notably, while the overall workforce in McPherson County has remained steady since 2019, but the number of commuters from Reno has seen an increase of 132 workers (25%).  

Article Source: City of McPherson, MIDC December Directors Report

3. Police Department Reports 2024 Trends, Higher Animal Shelter Adoption Rates

At Tuesday's McPherson City Commission meeting, Police Chief Golden presented the department's annual statistics, revealing shifts in law enforcement activities and animal control operations across the city during 2024. The McPherson Police Department reported a slight increase in activity during 2024, handling 13,861 calls for service - up by 665 from the previous year. While arrests decreased, traffic stops increased with 3,386 stops and 1,488 citations issued, marking increases from 2023. The department also introduced a new written warning system, issuing 34 formal warnings throughout the year. The McPherson Animal Shelter saw 89 successful dog adoptions - an 18-dog increase from 2023. The facility maintained a 93% live release rate, successfully returning 134 dogs to their owners and coordinating with rescue organizations to place 8 dogs and 17 cats in new homes. The shelter faced an unusual challenge when it took in 26 cats related to an abuse case, departing from its typical dog-focused operations. No escapes were reported throughout the year.  

During this week's major winter storm, McPherson Police Department responded to 90 vehicle slide-offs throughout the city, with Chief Golden reporting most incidents involved vehicles losing traction in snow banks rather than on ice. Only one accident required state reporting, while the department temporarily adapted operations when ice build-up on patrol vehicle hubs forced some units to be parked until they could thaw. Chief Golden noted that despite these challenges and the high number of incidents, no officers were injured during the storm response.

Article Source: City of McPherson

4. McPherson Schools' Per-Student Spending Tops $21,800, Above State Average

McPherson School District spent $21,839 per student during the 2023-24 school year, placing it among a group of larger Kansas districts exceeding the $20,000 mark, according to new data from the Kansas Department of Education. While many of the 111 districts in Kansas spending over $20,000 per student are smaller rural schools, McPherson joins urban districts like Kansas City ($22,297) and Salina ($23,402) in higher per-student spending. The district's largest expense category was instruction at $13,969 per student, while administrative costs were $1,784 per student. The data shows McPherson spending above the state average of $18,324 per student, which itself represented a 4% increase - exceeding inflation - from the previous year.

Article Source: KS Policy Institute

5. County Secures Temporary Storage for Election Equipment

McPherson County Commissioners approved a storage lease agreement with Warren Place LLC during Tuesday's meeting to temporarily house election equipment and vital documents during the county building renovation on Marlin. County Clerk Holli Melroy secured two rooms at $450 per month, with one dedicated to election equipment under camera surveillance and another for essential files. Moving operations began last Friday, with all items requiring relocation by next Tuesday. Looking ahead to 2025's election calendar, Melroy reported one potential school district election in April, though details are pending board approval. The county will primarily focus on November's odd-year city council and school board elections. The lease arrangement, spanning approximately one year, includes internet installation for security monitoring of election equipment. The temporary relocation ensures the County Clerk's office can maintain election integrity and records management throughout the building renovation period.

Article Source: McPherson County

Sports: Turkey Creek Names New Clubhouse Manager

The McPherson City Commission welcomed Colin Duckworth as the new clubhouse manager at Turkey Creek Golf Course during Tuesday's meeting, replacing Treg Fawl. Duckworth, who comes to McPherson from his role as assistant golf pro at Hesston Golf Course, brings extensive local experience to the position. A graduate of Central Christian College, he served as golf team captain from 2016-2019 before taking on roles as the college's sports information director and assistant golf coach. Public Lands and Facilities Director Wayne Burns noted that Duckworth, originally from Brenham, Texas, has been part of the central Kansas community since 2015.

Article Source: City of McPherson

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Sources

2. https://www.facebook.com/CityOfMcPhersonLocalGovernment/videos/1771224390085037

3. https://www.facebook.com/CityOfMcPhersonLocalGovernment/videos/1771224390085037

4. https://www.facebook.com/CityOfMcPhersonLocalGovernment/videos/1771224390085037

5. https://kansaspolicy.org/school-districts-spent-18324-per-student/

6. https://www.mcphersoncountyks.us/949/BOCC-Recent-Agendas-Minutes-and-Video

7. https://www.facebook.com/CityOfMcPhersonLocalGovernment/videos/1771224390085037