EL DORADO, Kan. (AP) Butler County will not participate in a planning effort for five south-central Kansas counties.
The county commission voted Tuesday not to send a representative or make in-kind contributions to the $1.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Urban Development.
The grant goes to the Regional Economic Area Partnership of South Central Kansas. It was designed to help Sedgwick, Butler, Reno, Harvey and Sumner counties make regional planning decisions. Sumner County also chose not to participate.
Opponents say the grant gives the federal government too much influence on local planning decisions.
The Wichita Eagle reports supporters say not participating leaves Butler County without a voice in planning decisions that will affect the county.
Sedgwick, Harvey and Reno counties have agreed to participate in the effort.
