L&T staff report

A recall petition filed against Seward County Commissioner Steve Helm was allowed to move forward according to Seward County Attorney Russell Hasenbank.

“I determine the petition to be sufficient pursuant to requirements of K.S.A. 25-4318,” Hasenbank wrote in his response.

Petitioners claimed Helm failed to perform his duties prescribed by law when restricted landfill funds were used in the amount of $68,856.71 to fund an assistant administrator’s position from March 2 through July 20, 2026.

“The specific expenditure of $68,856.71 from the landfill fund for county administration duties establishes a nexus between Commissioner Helm’s conduct and the expenditure control duties imposed upon the Board by KSA 19-299,” the petition stated.

Helm was contacted to provide a statement but none was given as of press time.