A LEMA that will reduce the amount of water used for irrigation by an estimated 10.5% is close to being adopted by Groundwater Management District No. 1. A general outline of the proposal was presented during the GMD’s annual meeting in Scott City on Wednesday. Since Wichita County has already established its own LEMA, the latest proposal will target the four other counties within the district - Scott, Lane, Greeley and Wallace. The last time the GMD proposed a district-wide LEMA in 2014 it was narrowly defeated. That plan would have implemented a 20% reduction in irrigation pumping. Source: Scott County [...]

Tenants of rental housing who feel that basic health or safety conditions aren’t being met by their landlord may eventually be able to seek assistance from City Hall. The Scott City Council is weighing the prospect of establishing minimum housing standards which would primarily target rental property, though the guidelines would apply to all housing, according to City Administrator Brad Pendergast. We’re not looking at anything that should be considered out of the ordinary for a home anyone would consider liveable,” says Pendergast. This would include basic needs such as a working toilet, the absence of mold from water leaks and [...]

After handling COVID-19 responses and action in her first term, Nickerson Mayor Peggy Ruebke plans to begin revitalizing and putting into motion new ideas for business developments on Nickerson Street downtown for her second term. The city council recently began meeting about new ideas to revitalize downtown. They asked the community to approach the city government with suggestions. Ruebke said she and the council enjoy it when residents visit city council meetings and encourage questions to help better put plans in motion or create new projects. "I don't think I'm the typical mayor. I like more of a hands-on approach, and [...]

The South Hutchinson City Council's commitment Monday of $500,000 to the chamber for a grant application is just the first step of a new economic development effort by the city, according to the city administrator. Joseph Turner advised the council he also submitted applications for state SPARK funds to use toward housing development incentives and broadband expansion in the city.... “I want to get some traction in Prairie Ridge,” Turner said, referring to a housing development on the city’s west side that has stalled for several years. Source: Hutch News