ROBERT PIERCE
• Leader & Times
Three Seward County commissioners announced their resignation Monday night, and this will leave county precinct leaders looking for three new commissioners to feel those positions.
Commission Chair Scott Carr, former Vice Chair Tammy Sutherland-Abbott and Commissioner Presephoni Fuller made the announcement during the commission comments of Monday’s meeting.
The announcement comes exactly three months after the three commissioners voted to approve a 14-mill increase to the county’s budget over the Revenue Neutral Rate for Fiscal Year 2026.
Fuller, who was planning to leave the commission before the vote took place, said she was grateful for her opportunity to serve the county.
“This journey has been marked by both accomplishments and challenges,” she said. “I believe every single service is guided by purpose, and I am thankful for what God has allowed us to accomplish together,” Fuller said. “I sincerely thank those who supported me, prayed for me and entrusted me with this responsibility. The past three years have strengthened my faith, refined my leadership and deepened my commitment to public service.”
Fuller wished the precinct committees good luck with finding new board members.
“I trust the appropriate process will result in the appointment of a capable individual who will continue to serve the community throughout the remainder of the term,” she said. “It has been an honor to serve alongside my fellow commissioners and the dedicated county employees. I pray for God’s continued wisdom and favor over this board and over Seward County.”
Carr had little to say other than he would have his resignation letter ready this morning.
The resignations likewise came as some citizens were circulating a petition to recall the commission, and in her comments, Sutherland-Abbott addressed some of the criticism she, Carr, Fuller and Administrator April Warden have received since the Sept. 15 vote took place.
“Who’d ever dreamed this community acted like it did just because they didn’t agree with how the three of us voted?” Sutherland-Abbott said. “We have been ridiculed, mocked. We’ve had cartoons drawn about us. It’s pretty pathetic how the three of us in that aspect were givers to the community.”
Sutherland-Abbott next addressed questions about commissioners signing agreements without authorization.
“When I signed a grant back in 2023, who’d dreamed one signature or something that happened from years before would cause me to be recalled?” she said. “This is my second recall in the last few weeks.”
After thanking Carr, Fuller and current Vice Chair Steve Helm for their service, Sutherland-Abbott next discussed the criticism Warden has received.
“She is one of the most giving professional people I’ve ever known, and it makes me sick for people try to damage any of our reputations,” Sutherland-Abbott said. “We’ve all served with integrity and honesty, and no one has done anything that has been anything but legal.”
Sutherland-Abbott next thanked county staff for what they do every day.
“You guys serve with the utmost professionalism,” she said. “You guys all do your jobs well, and it saddens me I’m disappointing you by not being able to help Seward County grow.”
Sutherland-Abbott next spoke directly to Helm.
“I hope you’re the new county chair, and every time you sign something, you think about how potentially, you could get recalled,” she said.
Many citizens have spoken out against the proposed levy hike, including Liberal resident Rick Madden, who again spoke at Monday’s meeting. Sutherland-Abbott said more voices need to be heard, though, in order to get a clear picture.
“He speaks on behalf of the rest of the county I feel only has half truths and does not know the full story of what it means to sit up here and to know everything we know,” she said.
Lastly, Sutherland-Abbott wished the Seward County Republican Party luck as they look for replacements for the departing commissioners.
“I wish the GOP, who I served for years in a leadership position, could find someone who could serve with as much integrity as we have as they have to fill these positions,” she said.
As for Warden, she too feels the community has been misled from many perspectives.
“There’s a lot that happens in government to make it run,” she said. “I feel we’ve tried to be more transparent than ever, and it unfortunately didn’t help. Until they’ve sat in your chair, they don’t know the decisions you have to make and what you’re forced to say. As a county administrator, I never make decisions alone. I value the expertise of our department heads and always factor in what they have to say, as well as the many resources the county has that we focus on. It’s unfortunate individuals get blamed for being the only source of information, but it’s called a lack of education.”
With the three vacancies, the Seward County Commission does not have a quorum and cannot pass any action that requires commission action. The county will continue to function with existing policies in place.
Since all three commissioners were Republicans, the Seward County Republican precinct people in Districts 2, 3 and 4 will appoint new commissioners until the 2026 election. Anyone interested in serving should contact Seward County Republican Chair Bill Hatcher at 620-629-7333.
