[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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],{"_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",6609319,"mediaKeyId","2929634-b0d5bfcf57aa4779c38eb04e12aec81c","parentId",2929634,"title","Memorial Hall trustees warn of possible summer closure as facility faces funding shortfall","audioSeconds",1799,"startMs",3503000,"endMs",5302000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2929634-b0d5bfcf57aa4779c38eb04e12aec81c&start=3503&end=5302","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2929634-b0d5bfcf57aa4779c38eb04e12aec81c/thumbnail_3503000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6609319/Atchison-County/Kansas/Memorial-Hall-trustees-warn-of-possible-summer-closure-as-facility-faces-funding-shortfall","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6609319-e298672702c2bebd7fe35fed24dfe48f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771083090&Signature=bhXxsSJ4qzszEzaqGm1x2EYF4OHVZqGgSeKJb4exzxXKS-6c8dnW2GSCROk0zK-NMY~X8uXatP-5zh2pV4Pd2dJx2aeJAYp-XgWjv~S9ScTuZDCivr0jEt0CN3Pl9ak~1ZvbrLMGf4T2KYaecyZ1JyOKP8m~6o4RT~80hifY758dQ1qQA-qWF7CuBf~oWXX7rSrnV74s3JFt0cJdpp4sFIZcsLan-bz1OFr3o3sKP6w3IEv9QxNgFiKAgT3aYaqDoY2hQ2h9zx~xuoCZtfPxUm~zP7aPlfikBsh3K~WE7EpTeK0JbxRrynfLFIU4K0UniIp6CCpuPwbjRV7spYrFbA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Atchison County, KS","date","2025-04-09T16:44:44.09Z","article","Trustees for Memorial Hall told the Atchison County Board of Commissioners on April 8 they expect the facility’s operating funds may be exhausted this summer unless the county or partner organizations provide additional support.

Travis Grossman, a Memorial Hall trustee, and Nick Grama, Parks and Recreation superintendent, presented an accounting of Memorial Hall revenue and expenses and said the trustees project roughly $61,000 in income for the current fiscal period against roughly $65,000–$68,000 in projected expenses. The trustees reported about $9,800 in cash on hand. Grossman said the recreation commission had agreed to take on roughly $12,000 in cleaning-fee revenue previously collected by the trustees and would continue a longstanding $25,000 annual contribution; that adjustment reduces but may not eliminate the shortfall.

Trustees described a list of community uses that would be affected if the building closed, including youth and adult leagues, day camps, blood drives, roller-skating, community fundraisers and other events. Grossman and Grama said the hall also houses a military memorial and that local veterans groups have an interest in preserving the facility.

Commissioners acknowledged the trustees’ concern but said county resources are constrained. Finance Director Mark Seltner told trustees the county has approximately $500,000 in unencumbered operating reserve funds but that several other county facilities have urgent capital needs—examples included a roof leak at EMS—so the county must prioritize requests. Commissioners asked trustees to provide exact dollar requests and anticipated timing; they suggested workshops or follow-up meetings to develop a plan rather than an immediate appropriation.

What was asked and what trustees said
- Trustees requested county help to prevent a closure that could begin as early as July if revenues and current appropriations do not cover expenses.
- Trustees said they need approximately $30,000 per year from the county to restore historical funding levels and cover basic operating and maintenance costs; trustees said the county previously provided mowing, snow removal and utilities as part of a maintenance arrangement that has since changed.

Responses from county leaders
Commissioners said they could not make immediate, unrestricted commitments and suggested exploring grants, fundraising with veteran organizations and reallocating existing county appropriations during the upcoming budget process. Commissioners asked county staff to gather estimates for outstanding capital needs and return with a prioritized list for possible emergency funding decisions.

Context and next steps
Trustees and the Recreation Commission will return to the board with more detailed, itemized costs and timing. Commissioners asked staff to include Memorial Hall in upcoming budget workshops and to provide cost estimates from the facilities study the county previously commissioned so the board can weigh preservation options against other urgent county facility needs.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Atchison County Commission Video 2025-04-08","oneSentenceSummary","Memorial Hall trustees told Atchison County commissioners on April 8 that the facility may run out of operating funds this summer unless the county or partner organizations provide additional support.","taxTitle","Atchison County, Kansas","taxId",70752,"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},6609323,"Atchison County awards Ottawa Road Phase 2 contract, approves culverts and bridge-plank purchases; loader repainting passes 2-1",118,1226000,1344000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2929634-b0d5bfcf57aa4779c38eb04e12aec81c&start=1226&end=1344","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2929634-b0d5bfcf57aa4779c38eb04e12aec81c/thumbnail_1226000.jpg","/articles/6609323/Atchison-County/Kansas/Atchison-County-awards-Ottawa-Road-Phase-2-contract-approves-culverts-and-bridge-plank-purchases-loader-repainting-passes-2-1","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6609323-c13df01efdffd31c151a2342d02e9dc9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771083090&Signature=DS3oRSK3yCANbqntvF3w9aIiRF3UGYCWvmNmQSZHdCfKW8gFZi985bPlLSJIU7YBTAUa0JCE~vmQykcCJ3H3h7fnmys4FN8~WDultGTf8uVxZBiD5zd6qz45bDJhR0g-NSAiN87hvvpqrBq3PfGpm~eYYgLTO0eiYzc7DlK~QwHFZxTIVpJ2xwkaPSiGrTlENdCiHtEHkf8b~BCuydLdhA9rJ4edfAsJV~c-NJJK0x5qTgUmNDjhHGJoB-MVqhvKX3VPFVCZ719O20RLmJ3gEl6yEPZzQnaBxG3lWp~ctpriN3MbahtJ~JwbY4lwj-ICGgE71meno8G3CxeiORaqbA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Atchison County commissioners on Tuesday awarded a bid for the Ottawa Road Phase 2 reconstruction project to King’s Construction and approved several related purchase orders for culverts and bridge planks, while narrowly approving a painting contract for a county wheel loader.

The county’s road and bridge superintendent, Joe Snyder, told the commission that two bids were opened and King’s Construction submitted the low bid of $1,218,022.30, about $132,183 below the engineer’s estimate. Commissioners voted to accept the low bid and move forward with King’s Construction for the Phase 2 project.

Snyder also requested purchase orders tied to the Ottawa Road work: two 60-by-40 arch metal culverts for $10,812.34 that will be charged to the project budget and a bulk order of wooden bridge planks for $19,495.39 to replenish inventory used for emergency bridge repairs. Both purchase orders were approved unanimously.

Separately, the commission considered a purchase order to prep and paint a 2018 CAT wheel loader that has extensive rust. The road superintendent presented photos and said the work would stop further deterioration. The motion to approve the painting contract passed 2-1 after one commissioner said the county’s funding shortage made the repainting a lower priority.

The commissioners also discussed an additional $20,000 request for extra engineering related to Ottawa Road; they set that item aside for further review and did not vote on it at the meeting.

In other road and bridge business, the board approved a consultant-client agreement with BG Consultants for design and bidding services for a new Road & Bridge maintenance facility at the Mead Road site. The contract covers architectural, structural and MEP design and construction-phase services and was approved 2-1. County staff said the fee will be paid from previously allocated funds.

All the items were presented by Road & Bridge Superintendent Joe Snyder and considered during the April 8 meeting’s road and bridge agenda.

Votes at a glance
- Award construction contract, Ottawa Road Phase 2 (King’s Construction, $1,218,022.30): approved, tally recorded as 3–0.
- Purchase order, two 60x40 arch culverts ($10,812.34): approved, 3–0.
- Purchase order, bridge plank stock (Wheeler; $19,495.39): approved, 3–0.
- Purchase order, prep/paint 2018 CAT wheel loader ($21,687.20 / listed in discussion as $21,006.87): approved, 2–1 (one commissioner opposed).
- Schwab Eaton Engineering additional $20,000 for Ottawa Road engineering: set aside for follow-up; no vote recorded.
- Consultant agreement, BG Consultants (Atchison County Road & Bridge facility design and bidding): approved, 2–1.

What commissioners said
Road and bridge superintendent Joe Snyder outlined the bids and timeline, noting the King’s Construction start date for Phase 2 was presented in the bid package. Commissioners emphasized limited county funding and the need to prioritize urgent road work while proceeding with the Ottawa Road project as scheduled.

The board directed staff to bring contract documents and clarifying materials back in a workshop on follow-up items where costs or scopes were unclear.

Context and next steps
County staff said culvert deliveries and remaining installation work will be coordinated with the contractor schedule; the board also discussed notifying residents affected by the Ottawa Road project before construction begins. The engineering PO for additional services will be revisited once county staff assemble contract documents and clarify what additional work the $20,000 would cover.","Atchison County commissioners on Tuesday awarded a contract for the Ottawa Road Phase 2 project to King’s Construction and approved related culvert and bridge-plank purchases; a repainting contract for a county wheel loader passed by a 2–1 vote.",{"_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},6609315,"Effingham resident presses commissioners for clarity on Project Concern funding; commissioners say appropriation process ongoing",369,56000,425000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2929634-b0d5bfcf57aa4779c38eb04e12aec81c&start=56&end=425","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2929634-b0d5bfcf57aa4779c38eb04e12aec81c/thumbnail_56000.jpg","/articles/6609315/Atchison-County/Kansas/Effingham-resident-presses-commissioners-for-clarity-on-Project-Concern-funding-commissioners-say-appropriation-process-ongoing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6609315-7417276e822d1ed9bd3c75d0ec8db21f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771083090&Signature=Tu0YeB2U1Rq~oiY5FqlTwsnsMci-uo-EPBx0iNICkMrmoah5CgQ3fRbZjKtIPzW7h2SG8o87k6Qf~oRNja8NpHcK4LJYyZxblF6UqoluE5nTUaOwwup9TEg6xHzyqx34MSM1h4DP6iCDl5ZeT45KK9Oui79KX-rmrc9M6WgjMb30c~iOeu7SFHl9xq86x~mVVfcdYPLgkaSlhhTNPlyoIHuAJWoIqH389JCpHO-hvv2iNiSb0jZdeHyWC4~8C~AE2gqWm-qDdDzHvzKpjkj0p3IGcyJD4arefWzwfQELkUpJHmvKBjZ4BCYEVdQ9afI1BJ~NrV699oLCmQIX9G4pdw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Nancy Keith of Effingham told the Atchison County commission during public comment on April 8 that senior citizens in the western part of the county are worried by rumors that the Effingham Town and Country senior citizen center might close due to county funding cuts.

Keith said volunteers deliver 14 Meals on Wheels each day in her area and that residents rely on the center for services. She asked commissioners for clarification about how much county funding Project Concern historically has received, how long recent funding was intended to last, and when the organization would receive new budget numbers.

County commissioners responded that they do not control Project Concern’s internal board decisions. Commissioners described how county appropriations to outside organizations have been affected by county budget choices over the past two years, including use of ARPA dollars and adjustments when the county certified a lower mill levy. Commissioners told Keith that historically the county appropriated $125,000 to Project Concern and that in recent years some funds were covered by ARPA. They also said the county has started budget workshops and has invited appropriated agencies to present funding needs; the county’s budget is not finalized until August.

Keith said Project Concern members had been told the worst-case scenario that no county funding would be forthcoming and that the nonprofit’s board might vote to close the Effingham facility sooner than the county finalizes its budget. Commissioners urged Project Concern board members and Effingham residents to communicate directly with each other and noted commissioners’ support for the organization while explaining the limits of the county’s authority and the current status of the county budget process.

What was on the record
- Public commenter: Nancy Keith, Effingham resident, asked for clarity about Project Concern funding and said senior-center users feared discrimination and imminent closure.
- Commissioners: Described historical appropriations (county staff cited $125,000 historically), recent use of ARPA to cover some payments, and cautioned that the county cannot guarantee future appropriations until the budget is finalized in August.

Context and next steps
County staff said they had invited appropriated agencies to budget workshops and that Project Concern representatives were welcome to present needs and documentation. Commissioners encouraged local volunteers and civic groups to provide facts and support while the budget process proceeds.","A resident of Effingham asked Atchison County commissioners on April 8 to clarify whether county funding to Project Concern and the Effingham senior center will be cut. Commissioners said the county’s appropriation process is ongoing and that decisions about Project Concern operations rest with the nonprofit’s board.",{"_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},6609321,"Atchison County adopts five-year solid waste management plan, staff flag budget gap for 2026",155,2433000,2588000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2929634-b0d5bfcf57aa4779c38eb04e12aec81c&start=2433&end=2588","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2929634-b0d5bfcf57aa4779c38eb04e12aec81c/thumbnail_2433000.jpg","/articles/6609321/Atchison-County/Kansas/Atchison-County-adopts-five-year-solid-waste-management-plan-staff-flag-budget-gap-for-2026","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6609321-65f3f4d92db4f5c246f54080306ac26e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771083090&Signature=j33dvyLXs45FVoucni6t~Rsdog92ruq4H7NO1wrppb5W~ayCtgnnqbKN5WsymwfCkYeeECWzfJAq1VPLNMLZPeHB9tZGHDXBVWUz6HV~pA27G22IFpRKekRzpNwF8kFhi0y4P~21LfL7mkRuZ4TynoAE4akK66msUyhactwVzlefX1kg~tItbVJg1e~y0hAbm0B07kDeQNVrN1RG2MKbL8OcZ1dWwaJbkWs71~dmNRV5tFOZFd50ds7C2PrWQKmiGCfkVziGwC5WNPe7IaiXxtK3Cx~DaEu8JytgiFVGp3eqeBJ5ytGKRRShsDJtIhxGTF3aFkJsWPEHrOTkq5JpIw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Atchison County Board of Commissioners adopted the county’s five-year solid waste management plan update by resolution on April 8 and received a staff briefing on the solid waste fund’s recent balances and a projected budget gap for 2026.

Solid Waste Director Stacy Waggle presented the April 2025 five-year plan update and said the county’s Solid Waste Committee had approved the plan at its recent meeting. The board opened and closed a public hearing with no public comment and passed Resolution No. 1550 adopting the update, directing staff to submit the plan to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment for review and approval.

Waggle and Finance Director Mark Seltner then reviewed the solid waste fund’s history. They reported fund balances that had fluctuated from roughly $135,000 in 2019 to a peak and then down to about $72,000 currently after equipment purchases and other expenses. Waggle noted the fund carries no balance for a dedicated solid waste building; that facility was funded through county sales tax and countywide budget allocations rather than the solid waste fund.

Staff also presented the proposed 2026 operating request for the solid waste program. Trash-haul and recycling costs have risen, and Waggle recommended budgeting $550,000 for trash services and $40,000 for recycling services for 2026, with utilities estimated at $16,000. The combined 2026 request totaled approximately $1.196 million. Seltner explained the county allocates dedicated sales tax proceeds between solid waste and joint communications dispatch based on the two programs’ combined budgets (currently roughly 50/50); using a sales-tax projection average of approximately $180,000 per month, the capped allocation for solid waste is roughly $1.08 million. If the solid-waste request is larger than the forecasted allocation, the fund could run negative late in the year if sales tax receipts fall short, Seltner said.

Commissioners asked about tonnage reporting and how heavy construction loads are recorded; Waggle said the facility tracks weights for the state reports and that the county’s dedicated sales tax was intended to eliminate tipping fees for county residents. Waggle also said the committee discussed adding a 3% cost-of-living adjustment to personnel, which would increase personnel and benefit costs beyond the presented draft.

Action taken
- The board adopted the Atchison County Solid Waste Management Plan (five-year update) by resolution, recorded as passing 3–0.

Context and next steps
Staff said they will submit the adopted plan to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and will continue to monitor sales-tax receipts and trash-haul costs; commissioners signaled they want to work through budget workshops to reconcile the projected 2026 request with expected dedicated sales-tax allocations.","The Board of County Commissioners adopted the Atchison County Solid Waste Management Plan five-year update on April 8 and heard staff explain a projected shortfall in the solid waste fund tied to sales-tax allocations and rising trash-haul costs.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Memorial Hall trustees warn of possible summer closure as facility faces funding shortfall

Atchison County awards Ottawa Road Phase 2 contract, approves culverts and bridge-plank purchases; loader repainting passes 2-1

Effingham resident presses commissioners for clarity on Project Concern funding; commissioners say appropriation process ongoing

Atchison County adopts five-year solid waste management plan, staff flag budget gap for 2026