Photo Courtesy of Ryan Duey

Ryan West presented furnace replacement bids for the Law Enforcement Center, and commissioners approved the lowest bid from Carlson Heating & AC to be paid from the County General Fund.

Commissioner Mayo discussed concerns raised by a landowner regarding the fence viewing process; County Clerk Kayla Wang reviewed the applicable statute, and Mayo requested guidance from the County Attorney.

Commissioners also approved payment of the 2026 Kansas Association of Counties membership dues totaling $2,958.57 from County General.

Bobby Shomper reported that Highway employees spent a short week working in the shop, with two Mack dump trucks taken to Wichita for warranty work.

EMS Director Alec Trembath said the department was busy over Christmas, logging 1,025 runs compared to 1,012 in 2024, and is winter-ready with a newly installed snow plow. The KRAF grant application period is open and under review.

Commissioners held a public hearing on the 2025 amended budget with no public attendance and unanimously approved the amended Road and Bridge budget as published.

Emergency Manager Jim Bogart presented an updated, department-by-department quote from Homman Electronics for new BK radios totaling $275,873. Commissioners unanimously approved authorizing Chairman Mayo to sign the purchase agreement.

Sheriff Alan Benninga submitted bids for a new Law Enforcement Center server, and commissioners approved the lowest bid from Networks Plus to be paid from the 2025 budget.

Commissioners made the motion to approve the 2025 End of Year Fund Transfers listed as follows:

• Transfer $7,000 from the Appraiser’s Fund (014) to the Appraiser’s Capital Outlay Equipment Reserve Fund within the General Fund.
• Transfer $2,500 from the County Clerk’s Fund (002) to the County Clerk’s Capital Outlay Equipment Reserve Fund within the General Fund.
• Transfer $40,000 from the Election Fund (015) to the Election Capital Outlay Equipment Reserve Fund within the General Fund.
• Transfer $5,000 from the Treasurer Fund (003) to the Treasurer Capital Outlay Equipment Reserve Fund within the General Fund.
• Transfer any remaining funds after all of the 2025 expenses that are paid from Road & Bridge Fund (091) to Special Highway (095).

The motion passed unanimously.

The Board also approved the 2026 County Work Comp insurance renewal totaling $102,519.

County Appraiser Danny Mesalles reported the office issued 97 building permits in 2025, including 41 in cities, 56 in the county, and 11 for new homes.