Redistricting will not be occurring in Lyon County, at least for the time being.
During their weekly action meeting Thursday morning, commissioners were presented with the latest census data detailing the number of residents in each county district. According to Lyon County Clerk Tammy Vopat, the commission is statutorily bound to keep the districts as “even” as possible. She says District 1 currently has a larger volume of residents than district two or three.
Vopat stated the splitting of precinct 11 could help in balancing the districts, however, splitting precincts is not a simple process.
Following Vopat’s comments, Assistant County Counselor Molly Priest stated that based on her research the level of residents in each district was not so uneven that it would warrant such action.
Following Priest’s comments commissioners chose to take no action on the item at this time. Commissioners are statutorily required to review the boundaries every three years.
In other business, commissioners approved the signing of a letter of support for the Rural Vitality Center, a project being spearheaded by the Future Service Leaders Organization. FSLO is looking to secure grant funding to construct a “transformative facility” aimed at providing resources to rural Kansas communities.
Commission Chairman Rollie Martin says the letter of support is just that.
FSLO is self-described as the “non-profit arm of the Ecenter of Kansas.” According to the Ecenter’s official website, the mission of the organization is to provide “innovative experiential services to meet life challenges, promote curiosity, enhance relationships, drive passions and improve wellbeing, to strengthen communities, families and schools.”
Additional details on the endeavor are currently pending.
Separately, commissioners also approved a bid of just over $4.8 million from NF Construction of Marion for the Lyon County Highway Department’s planned shop construction project. A timeline on the project is currently pending.
County Commissioners will reconvene next Thursday at 9 am inside of the Lyon County Courthouse Commission Chambers.
