On Tuesday night, leaders of three central Kansas counties met to discuss a proposed energy corridor that has landowners concerned. The National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor (NIETC) is a route designated by the federal government to expand projects to transport electricity. The federal proposal could take a five-mile-wide path of land through Kansas or future energy transmission needs. Many residents are worried that their land will be taken through the eminent domain. “They want to know that their family’s safe, or that their business, if it runs across a business, that their business is safe,” said Barton County District 2 Commissioner Barb Esfeld. During the meeting, county commissioners from Barton, Russell, and Pawnee counties, along with state and federal legislators, heard residents’ concerns and discussed what to do next. “You’re going to have to keep showing up if you want to see change,” said Pawnee County Commissioner Bob Rein. Over 100 people gathered at Barton Community College on Tuesday. Their goal is to answer a few concerns, such as the eminent federal domain and how the corridor relates to the Grain Belt Express, an already approved private energy line that has been in the works for over a decade.
Source: KSN-TV

Starting Oct. 1, Norton County residents will see a change in the cash register as a 1% sales tax increase to support health care goes into effect. Kevin Faughnder, Norton County Hospital’s CEO, said it’s tough for rural health nationwide to succeed financially. Faughnder says he is excited as a hospital employee, but understands the importance of the change. “From a taxpayer perspective, it’s always tough to pay more taxes, and I think that’s why it’s really important for us to be responsible with how we use this money,” Faughnder said. “So both excited and mindful of the fact that we are increasing taxes.” In May, voters in Norton County overwhelmingly passed the sales tax increase. Faughnder can see both the pros and cons. He says that, as a hospital employee, he is excited about the change, but as a taxpayer, he understands that it’s hard to pay more taxes. The sales tax runs for 10 years, 75% of which will go toward the county hospital, and the other 25% will go to EMS. “We just need to be methodical in how we go about it, but that’s what this tax money is going to do for us,” Faughnder said. “It’s going to give us an opportunity to address some things that in the past we just didn’t have the ability to do.”
Source: KSN-TV

Arkansas City has launched its new Drinking Water System Improvement Master Plan. The city says the initiative is critical to address aging infrastructure and improve efficiency. “We are excited to take this next step toward modernizing our water system,” City Manager Randy Frazer said in a news release. “While the new treatment facility was a tremendous achievement, we recognize the need to continue investing in our infrastructure to ensure reliable water service for our residents and businesses. This master plan represents a long-term commitment to sustaining our water system and distributing costs equitably.” While the city has recently improved the water system, including completing a new water treatment facility in 2018, Arkansas City officials say more work is needed to improve the distribution system and increase the city’s water supply.
Source: KSN-TV