[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6646320,"mediaKeyId","2627660-b6b548f61ac123d8a77bfabd34c4f34c","parentId",2627660,"title","Geary County health department reports low COVID activity, small uptick in influenza and one pertussis case","audioSeconds",65,"startMs",1350000,"endMs",1415000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2627660-b6b548f61ac123d8a77bfabd34c4f34c&start=1350&end=1415","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2627660-b6b548f61ac123d8a77bfabd34c4f34c/thumbnail_1350000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6646320/Geary-County/Kansas/Geary-County-health-department-reports-low-COVID-activity-small-uptick-in-influenza-and-one-pertussis-case","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6646320-9445e0e5b369690d94908c8082fd3902/orig.mp4?Expires=1771075759&Signature=LjnFxIUpT7N8rArlD-NX7X1Udh1IT37w7Fq-yvkJO1aX99Os8Z-xW84iw2nZO0znHBgRjko103Ra3jk958hTlEcYcE4Evid-yipQBvEbKF67TYpOaDcvSbirGWdAr1DA-oh~pYzS5jN-krvQg3rCLwjRHXTHO1GrQXYSqfDFB0IJDVeAuG30ZyTAPqECSuo8KlmwkltnjFXXOHsUPlw~FXkQW734mHJWKROE~uQoKIfYoF4rDNY0hepH2HZ~LBYKEGTTY1pI9iop0hyUXQ70HknV7uVMRoFtwJFxPqOox1D3jIWNqfOscGJcv-xbEc2Mx-AgqUB6uPE6OiQ2C~k0sQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Geary County, KS","date","2025-01-13T13:56:57.847Z","article","Geary County health department staff told commissioners the county’s respiratory season shows modest activity and that the department is managing staffing adjustments while continuing routine services.

The health department presentation reported that respiratory illness accounted for 16.5% of ER visits and that COVID made up 0.8% of ER visits, both down from the prior month. Influenza was 0.4% of ER visits; staff described that as a small increase but still low for peak season. Public-health staff also reported one locally identified pertussis case during the year (one of three total for the year countywide) and one salmonella case tied to improper food handling at home, not restaurants.

Staff said WIC caseloads and appointment volumes were on target for December. The department has not launched new initiatives but held joint psychological first-aid training with Fort Riley and Ponty Mental Health to help local staff respond to behavioral-health needs. Staffing shifts were described: the department is shifting an RN to cover WIC coordinator duties after difficulty recruiting for the coordinator position; one dietitian will leave next month due to a military move.

Public-health staff said the department’s clinic space renovations are nearly complete and public works is finishing hangings and fixtures; they invited commissioners to view the updated offices. No public-health emergency declarations or requests for additional county funding were made at the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Geary County Commission #2 121624","oneSentenceSummary","County health staff reported emergency-room respiratory visits down overall, COVID ER visits at 0.8% and influenza at 0.4% of ER visits; public health staff also noted one pertussis case during the year and staffing adjustments to cover WIC services.","taxTitle","Geary County, Kansas","taxId",63542,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6646325,"Commission approves janitorial, pest control, rural water petitions and vehicle tracking contract; several contract details noted",498,1649000,2147000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2627660-b6b548f61ac123d8a77bfabd34c4f34c&start=1649&end=2147","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2627660-b6b548f61ac123d8a77bfabd34c4f34c/thumbnail_1649000.jpg","/articles/6646325/Geary-County/Kansas/Commission-approves-janitorial-pest-control-rural-water-petitions-and-vehicle-tracking-contract-several-contract-details-noted","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6646325-2b31a9c3a2e500132d59c8b60c061ec8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771075759&Signature=IJihckNE8vTDTBs-kFqChpmnHX4pNsbWcOtJ2wXPUkNSRAY6db9Sv-ALeVsr8jm2cbzqA0g1jegIcPkFTgZ5X6K3Top7wddH1UW4-uj5xHfDR~bicbRVt50~HIcUf4ptdDgsiO4KMFlLrFZ~U~dw5Gwkde~HX-dTHxU4-zW2HABnwibm3LJaSvdbcnlihLZhE~0wRxHkDKmMsY26i9ZHs3QJVTnXxmcox7GSP80A~e-um3hy6y2k8pOIPPs~~s1g5z5GGXN5ZMSess5I3Bcjp9teGTgtJKBCNnS3br8X6LNMfVhNRoHpFRc7YaoSsVjVLS1Oo3fvYM2wRORxuKuoBw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Geary County commissioners approved a package of routine contracts and petitions Monday, including janitorial contracts for 2025, a pest-control contract recommended for monthly service, several rural water district petitions and a vehicle-tracking (GPS) contract for county vehicles.

Public works staff presented the 2025 janitorial contract packet and noted minor changes from prior years: CASA ARC offices requested no window cleaning (reducing the price), and the county added the transfer station at $37.50 per month. The sheriff’s janitorial contract remained on hold because work is underway in the sheriff’s administrative area; staff said they will bring that contract back for approval after facility work is complete. The commission approved the janitorial contracts by consensus.

On pest control, staff said they solicited bids from eight contractors and received three: Abilene Pest Control at $8,920 (quarterly service), Ram Pest Control at $9,320 (monthly service), and American Pest Management at $51,202.50. Staff recommended monthly service for public buildings and recommended award to the vendor providing monthly service; the commission approved the 2025 pest-control contracts.

The commission also approved multiple rural water district petitions: Humboldt Creek (livestock watering line), Clark’s Creek (residential service), and a previously approved swine/fluid line petition that would replicate prior placement. Each was recommended by staff after site checks and was approved by the commission.

On procurement for vehicle tracking and telematics, public works recommended the county sign a Samsara contract through Sourcewell. Staff said the first-year payment, with implementation, would be $23,123.80 and that the recurring annual amount would be $24,001.92 under a 60-month term. The commission approved the Samsara contract and authorized the public works assistant administrator to sign.

Other approved items included change orders for ongoing projects and acceptance of the construction minutes and routine licenses (cereal malt beverage licenses) that were handled on consent. The board recorded motions and unanimous “aye” votes for these consent items; individual roll-call tallies were not listed in the minutes.

Staff noted the elevator bronze maintenance agreement at the detention center with TKE will terminate effective Feb. 28, 2025; the county has requested pricing from Kone to resume preventative maintenance.

No procurement protests or formal bid challenges were recorded in the public discussion.","The commission approved the 2025 janitorial and pest-control contracts (favoring monthly service frequency), several rural water petitions, change orders and a Samsara vehicle-tracking contract with an initial payment and a multi-year term; the sheriff's janitorial contract remains on hold pending facility work.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6646331,"Commissioners discuss new county prisoner per-diem resolution and need to renegotiate interlocal with Junction City",44,899000,943000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2627660-b6b548f61ac123d8a77bfabd34c4f34c&start=899&end=943","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2627660-b6b548f61ac123d8a77bfabd34c4f34c/thumbnail_899000.jpg","/articles/6646331/Geary-County/Kansas/Commissioners-discuss-new-county-prisoner-per-diem-resolution-and-need-to-renegotiate-interlocal-with-Junction-City","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6646331-eddce6e3c18e355f942bde3b37956b61/orig.mp4?Expires=1771075759&Signature=hye0LsL5c2AGaVxRmIfUxNWgTnDql841vWWZtxMY7vxLsr~rPtXngd5qKUjY3EaqtOjR5ezRbUX6RVsYmaRRgn6vLR1wpsratI5JrAiYIiSvYo~Q9QMRzwlI6FCkV-4LYZCXBNMmW6cHmEIMM94EbbUQuWoq65JFMPN2s6p3d6LJxn65Tx3MY9wIpY4LqlvdAM3S5PFe94njQ8CXJTcYLXJypVdO5IHriEBK2Bvzz0bQuVCXPdgVK7ZOqB40zTn0EBv08bbYAHC94XkVMJo7IwAe3TEGuovgEf8nG9muJ1dQJuY4M-HQTLHlWdSPyH~bS7v2jiapMXaodHyrPMQGtw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Geary County commissioners discussed a proposed resolution to set the county prisoner per-diem rate and whether the county’s interlocal agreement with Junction City should be renegotiated to reflect the change.

Staff said the proposed resolution had been circulated and that, according to the meeting record, a rate figure was referenced in the transcript as “10702.” Commissioners noted the county must ensure statutory matching requirements are satisfied and that any change would affect billing to cities and how the county charges for prisoners and work-release.

Commissioners and staff agreed not to rush adoption. Staff advised that the county should consult the sheriff and Junction City officials because the interlocal agreement for prisoner housing and dispatch services is expired and would need renegotiation if the county sets a new per-diem rate. One county official said the change “will affect the revenue a lot,” and commissioners discussed the need to reconcile the interlocal terms with any new resolution.

The commission did not adopt the resolution at the meeting. Staff said they would not finalize the interlocal until the resolution and statute alignment are clarified and recommended bringing the sheriff and city representatives into the discussion. The transcript included reference to a 1987 resolution and an expectation that the county should maintain up-to-date resolutions and work-release agreements.

No specific numeric per-diem rate was adopted during the meeting; the transcript used several inconsistent numeric references and staff indicated the exact format and statutory citation needed verification before the commission takes formal action.","Commissioners reviewed a proposed resolution to set the county prisoner per-diem rate and discussed implications for the county's interlocal agreement with Junction City; staff were directed to involve the sheriff and city in further discussions before final action.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6646335,"Geary County finance director reports strong year-end cash position, notes $13,000 sales-tax adjustment and remaining ARPA balance",371,285000,656000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2627660-b6b548f61ac123d8a77bfabd34c4f34c&start=285&end=656","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2627660-b6b548f61ac123d8a77bfabd34c4f34c/thumbnail_285000.jpg","/articles/6646335/Geary-County/Kansas/Geary-County-finance-director-reports-strong-year-end-cash-position-notes-13000-sales-tax-adjustment-and-remaining-ARPA-balance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6646335-46440448218a126a3a03f3a6f05ae6b7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771075759&Signature=Y0H5KBqoS2pAB~aqAOKvbkpB2F1ZlM6NtdVkjNx2ni7aLC-ZbDXks~vvW~90cRg9KtZcuOLleBpsyuPoET5m6~GyK14yVQLKN~i4MSSz53vBfbIYnSvOAK-e76YIg76a0fmE~CaQ6~SI-vbynxRACCQcmn4LSYqsGUKvXXb6VS8FkTZbYlzHm9Lz2muNupPFkoCLy50Ua79gmpyVLRPhD2PTtCaHxWv9ULKxEIPSYTO82GQ3fEi33XBSuC4~MPXdg6CkoVRSaf-mb7SsBsUdIx9d6uI~2fKFTUrcxW402gzQe1-f4NCqBs3gMbtqrTEW-62jXDrGkmJg3gHUCdsKSA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Penny Robinson, Geary County finance director, reported to commissioners that the county is near the expected year-to-date budget benchmarks and that several project and reserve adjustments leave the county in a healthy cash position going into the new year.

Robinson told the commission that, as of November, the county was about 91.67% through the fiscal year and that capital improvement project (CIP) spending totaled $78,968 for the month with $61,041 in revenue (insurance proceeds and Purple Wave receipts). She said the county’s reported “ending unencumbered cash is 3,700,000.0” and after accounting for $798,000 in approved projects and reserve funds, about $1.9 million remains available for future projects.

Robinson also reviewed other funds and noted the county building fund had $258,660 not yet spent and that some funds were high relative to the 91.67% benchmark because of timing of expenses. On federal relief funds, Robinson said the county’s ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) expenditures were largely allocated and that “we have $9,303.87 that we have not allocated yet” (the transcript indicated this amount is allocated but unspent as of Nov. 30). She added the treasurer position would reduce that balance to zero after the next payroll.

Robinson explained a state-level correction affecting the county’s sales-tax distribution that will require a $13,000 journal entry to make the county whole. “13,000 is what is owed back to us to make the county whole,” Robinson said, describing a state adjustment tied to vendor reporting and December distributions. Robinson said she had supporting documentation from the state to attach to the county’s journal entry for auditors.

Other items Robinson covered included composition of cash balances (banking and general ledger totals matched), the general fund department-by-department position relative to the year-to-date benchmark, and that no budget amendments were made at this time. She said public works and other departments were monitoring spending closely. No vote or budget amendment was proposed at the meeting on these reports; commissioners accepted the reports and asked questions clarifying timing and next steps for entries and reporting.

Robinson closed by inviting commissioners to ask for more detail on any line-item variances; she said she would follow up with answers if commissioners requested them.

(Article includes financial figures stated by the finance director; amounts and percent figures reflect Robinson’s presentation to the commission.)","Finance Director Penny Robinson told commissioners the county’s capital improvement and general funds are largely on target for the fiscal year, with $1.9 million available for projects after reserves and a $13,000 sales-tax adjustment pending; ARPA allocations were largely spent with $9,303.87 allocated but not spent as of Nov. 30.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6646339,"Geary County commissioners authorize immediate hiring steps for public works administrator and CVV director",82,105000,187000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2627660-b6b548f61ac123d8a77bfabd34c4f34c&start=105&end=187","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2627660-b6b548f61ac123d8a77bfabd34c4f34c/thumbnail_105000.jpg","/articles/6646339/Geary-County/Kansas/Geary-County-commissioners-authorize-immediate-hiring-steps-for-public-works-administrator-and-CVV-director","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6646339-e42e77bf6f164456b2e11c4eb7ee168e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771075759&Signature=P1CQENEfGwgNE~m62DKfuJhQN0AI7UUXmW7ahGAIrS3NK5HASwsqadi5HFlzEyVZMFcz4bdrQ1KB~3-28sDrEwlexTwlMl2-iNObS8robUzYgf2VhAxYKcAlP8uQMfeVrrBeA51XwnoiFEzx7CZ4yktn~ygTe7JCpkBOH8Uq1qMJwnCRb3R7e0GyVzvkvdRKNB1wlA-SRemRxkx9iydOycLS5fS9H9rNnRToXIaEccvkijUwve0adZzjCtCD70QQKt38xw5oVQDr9Fp2Nz~g3P4Jn1x7VDTxoNXPaQJVHGAkqivP-ZtJDMP7yBI6AMzuxSBhnLcnJkCNl9rjzsC3og__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Geary County commissioners agreed on a hiring timeline Monday to fill two county management vacancies, directing staff to open interviews in early January unless commissioners objected.

The agreement comes after commissioners learned the Public Works administrator post has been vacant for about a month and that one remaining employee has been covering multiple duties. Commissioners said that could leave essential services understaffed if hiring waits until a newly elected commissioner is seated.

Commissioners discussed starting candidate screening immediately and scheduling interviews the first week of January. One commissioner said, “we need to get rolling on that, if not the last week in January or in December, but first week in January,” citing concern that “the one employee that is doing everything” is overburdened.

Staff asked the commission to provide their top candidate lists by 5 p.m. the following day so interview slots could be scheduled. Commissioners agreed to review and submit names promptly so interviews could proceed in January if schedules allow.

The commission did not adopt a formal hiring motion recorded in the minutes during the discussion; rather, the body directed staff to proceed with scheduling and candidate selection logistics. Commissioner comments indicated they would defer to the new commissioner on final hiring decisions if the commission failed to reach agreement, but they preferred to start the process to avoid further operational strain.

No salary or candidate names were discussed in the public record, and the timeline and number of finalists were described only as “3 to 5” candidates to interview. Interview mover/second or formal vote counts were not recorded for this direction.

Looking ahead, staff said they will circulate candidate lists and proposed interview dates to commissioners and will confirm scheduling once commissioners submit their top choices.","Commissioners agreed to begin the recruitment and interview process for the public works administrator and the CVV director, aiming for interviews in early January to avoid leaving a single employee covering both operations for several months.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Geary County health department reports low COVID activity, small uptick in influenza and one pertussis case

Commission approves janitorial, pest control, rural water petitions and vehicle tracking contract; several contract details noted

Commissioners discuss new county prisoner per-diem resolution and need to renegotiate interlocal with Junction City

Geary County finance director reports strong year-end cash position, notes $13,000 sales-tax adjustment and remaining ARPA balance

Geary County commissioners authorize immediate hiring steps for public works administrator and CVV director