[{"_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",6587682,"mediaKeyId","5560997-ae19aa594794e0fc2371eae03b9c1cba","parentId",5560997,"title","Commission donates $2,500 to local cancer support group; approves in‑house CDL hire and payroll corrections","audioSeconds",164,"startMs",178000,"endMs",342000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5560997-ae19aa594794e0fc2371eae03b9c1cba&start=178&end=342","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5560997-ae19aa594794e0fc2371eae03b9c1cba/thumbnail_178000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6587682/Coffey-County/Kansas/Commission-donates-2500-to-local-cancer-support-group-approves-inhouse-CDL-hire-and-payroll-corrections","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6587682-fbd70f37e70a0c9d5c6024867de4aaf2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143012&Signature=E256EBgkmcQmu5pxUdo7oietl5eINn8tohBwJTUL9m3iu6hap6wTvYq~gQYKLAIQVugMKtPiyX4rvQRFgMinxkQB6W3o9fAe~aMVpZc9sGWEuoCvTAumRaF9RYBD5pMv~C6adGVyoTwereRVr4ZpnoCwn6vkO6q~nwZA7-kKiXv1pzJr8wpUnGNIMGVhLM2FmbEq81dMhkRj0IGQ~njTKqoSPqPr35PYhyRo9C2yclYxD-kgRhR2jp~MMDku~HlINA38SPtHNZbcQhHoy~kKttcFGe2OiVO3qJqbcw1WxSWP0v6CeY5VA~hT6W31wlHuq28nYehKNHmSn3SxCYwoCg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Coffey County, KS","date","2025-08-12T03:47:36Z","article","Coffey County commissioners approved several personnel and budget items during their Aug. 11 meeting, including a $2,500 sponsorship for the Coffey County Cancer Support Group and routine payroll and hiring motions.

The commission voted to donate $2,500 to the nonprofit Cancer Support Group to sponsor its 2025 golf tournament; staff said those funds will come from the county’s General Fund Community Improvement line item. The group told the commission it provided more than $108,000 in assistance to local people in 2024 and that most operations are volunteer run.

In personnel business, commissioners approved entering into a short executive session earlier in the meeting to discuss a resignation under the Kansas Open Meetings Act (KSA 75‑4319(1)). Following discussion, the commission approved a superintendent recommendation to fill the vacancy by hiring an in‑house CDL truck driver and to not create a new position. Staff said the position will be filled internally and that if a subsequent vacancy results, it may be advertised externally.

The commission also approved revised payroll notices for two light equipment operator hires (wage classification 31) setting the new hire wage to $19.73 effective July 14, 2025. Commissioners said the previous notices contained a wage entry error and that the corrected wage was appropriate.

Why it matters: these are routine county operating decisions — a community donation, hiring to maintain public works operations, and correction of payroll paperwork — that keep county services and community partnerships functioning.

What comes next: staff will process the sponsorship payment, complete hiring paperwork for the CDL driver in accordance with personnel policy, and update payroll records for the hires listed in the revised CP2 notices.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Meeting 8-11-2025","oneSentenceSummary","The commission voted to sponsor the Coffey County Cancer Support Group golf tournament with $2,500; it also approved hiring a CDL truck driver from within the department to fill a vacancy and approved revised payroll notices setting a new wage of $19.73 for two light equipment operator hires.","taxTitle","Coffey County, Kansas","taxId",73123,"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},6587687,"Commission approves first CDBG pay application for Airport Access Road; SSM parking‑lot bid delayed",742,6128000,6870000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5560997-ae19aa594794e0fc2371eae03b9c1cba&start=6128&end=6870","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5560997-ae19aa594794e0fc2371eae03b9c1cba/thumbnail_6128000.jpg","/articles/6587687/Coffey-County/Kansas/Commission-approves-first-CDBG-pay-application-for-Airport-Access-Road-SSM-parkinglot-bid-delayed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6587687-7a7e5c0cf704a5bd926577fb7c377d60/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143012&Signature=T2xJdDPrEo~c0gHP8zGT~nIhzU9WxbDi3O2h7p7~8pDmY5pYS3yRh~Ok8F48D35Ld3sb5d9XRfAEZqxTuXk~P5c3ydjqJXM0WSReZz4SWUQEe1QalDoPGdsI9lWsTYfdt0FHEFSsPcnH99leDb00vXHWtLeNskdEZgyzG1JwnXT2xOn1fwFeoKmpEISQz2vX3dIl3eikb3k3viC4hX4nYMguCvvADYxaqzWUpa~WCk92jWiK4p3NGQJI3Y1kk6tvo9eyyFlWMQntFIEq6THjIspVspvtfWkUBIBghubaHYgfY5sh1h~~R~RMrzQGmT0KJzilyLF1OJOpHh8~ZifTKg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Coffey County Commission approved the first pay application on Aug. 11 for the Airport Access Road project, a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)‑funded construction effort. The motion authorized the chairman to sign a request for disbursement so the county can draw grant funds and pay the contractor.

The pay application approved covered construction work billed to date in the amount of $270,477.04; staff said the county’s budget and the CDBG grant will be used in the project ratio (consultant noted roughly a 63% CDBG / 37% county match for certain costs when professional services and administration are included). The commission approved the motion and directed the chair to sign the disbursement request to the state.

CFS engineering staff told the commission the state has approved a Phase 2 change order for the project of $722,991 to extend work to County Road and noted the project is moving forward with grading and base work. Staff said current progress included about 20% of road grading complete, staking done and base placement beginning.

In related discussion, staff presented a proposed parking lot adjacent to the new SSM (project name in packet) facility that could serve the firm’s operations and future development near the site. Commissioners asked for the design drawings, space and compaction information and a clearer cost breakdown that shows SSM’s contribution and public‑infrastructure costs before issuing a bid. Staff and engineering said they would provide full plans and share them with the commission and the SSM representative before bringing a bid authorization back; the commission did not approve the parking lot bid package at the meeting.

Why it matters: the pay application moves state CDBG dollars into county‑paid construction invoices and keeps the Airport Access Road project on schedule. The Phase 2 approval from the state expands the work scope. The proposed parking lot is a final piece of the SSM site public infrastructure but commissioners requested more details before committing to a public procurement.

What comes next: staff will submit the disbursement request to the state for processing, provide the SSM parking lot plans and cost breakdown, and return with a recommendation and bid documents if the commission chooses to proceed.

","Commission approved a first construction pay application tied to the Community Development Block Grant Airport Access Road project and authorized the chair’s signature; consultants reported Phase 2 change order approval from state and commissioners deferred a separate bid decision on a parking lot that would serve SSM and future development.",{"_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},6587690,"Residents press county over land application of food‑processing byproduct; company defends testing and permits",2453,7147000,9600000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5560997-ae19aa594794e0fc2371eae03b9c1cba&start=7147&end=9600","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5560997-ae19aa594794e0fc2371eae03b9c1cba/thumbnail_7147000.jpg","/articles/6587690/Coffey-County/Kansas/Residents-press-county-over-land-application-of-foodprocessing-byproduct-company-defends-testing-and-permits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6587690-6e2d6c014aef8d8c2be3830f74cbdd5a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143012&Signature=ldGff5sD8rDiGnAMt5KYm~n~lmTCfdHaHuN6WuVhxuXXrAsdFDuncJxVQRn4-tpn2DydEvz0teiw7Z4iNKBJBV5NX1PtFcSGnYxfqkzNbNf3AzyLHFEZ17NsxH~TjwkxhFmO5bvkVSAe937mojcCO7DNlPNtL3FP6Q16rXJPiUskYTxgUix-3sBLv4HodmMaP7loYZgPfmr3f9a79c6GxLNg~INw78JsfNI1naptXyddV~X2NbpjQCGIYsBO2L4HjKFt9lsbw36OZVrLm5oxJqVwjtZKR3pjxguGHjZP1ktPRGKAGNhvVP10SassTfRtFM8kOvJYFLFPvWtj~gywuw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representatives of A1 Pump and affiliated farmland operators told the Coffey County Commission on Aug. 11 that their land‑application work follows Kansas Department of Health and Environment procedures and repeated testing, while several residents urged the commission to press state regulators after months of strong odors and alleged runoff at local fields.

A1 Pump‑affiliated speaker Ron McCoy (company name offered in meeting materials) described the firm’s process for preparing sites that accept treated food‑processing byproduct. He said the applied material is “food grade,” primarily water with a small percentage of organic solids, that KDHE requires laboratory analyses of both soil and the material and that application rates and setbacks are computed by KDHE’s SWP‑906 computer model by zone.

McCoy explained on‑farm preparation steps the company uses: disking, chiseling and injecting material into the soil (about 6 inches deep), planting a crop yearly on treated ground, and using storage tanks when weather prevents immediate application. He said material and soil tests are sent to labs (Cervitec and other labs referenced) and that the company typically samples the applied material twice a year and receives KDHE inspections several times per year. He also said the company owns or leases several Coffey County sites and currently uses roughly 170 acres in the county for applications; the operation also works in Osage County and has looked at Greenwood County.

Local residents said the operations are creating a public nuisance. Art Friend and other speakers said the smell has been so strong it has kept children inside, that runoff and documented incidents have occurred, and they urged the commission to hold KDHE accountable. One resident said the agency’s approval letters are not permanent permits and that KDHE’s own annual authorizations may include a condition that operations cease if the activity is deemed a public nuisance.

Commissioners and county staff acknowledged the tension between a regulated state program and neighbors’ complaints. Commissioners asked whether KDHE had been consulted, whether required forms (SWP‑905/906) were on file for particular fields and whether additional local steps could be taken. County staff and residents said KDHE had at times used a less‑formal procedure for previously approved sites; residents produced photos they said show runoff and spreading on dates in June and July.

A1 Pump representatives said they are testing for an expanding list of contaminants — including heavy metals and other analytes — and that the company is investing in new filtration and composting technologies to reduce solids and odors. The company also said it has historically worked with KDHE, that KDHE inspects its sites, and that the firm had not received KDHE notices of violations for these operations at Coffey County locations.

Why it matters: the land‑application program treats a byproduct stream that municipalities and food processors otherwise would need to handle, and KDHE’s approvals allow application on farmland if soils, setbacks and application rates meet state calculations. Neighbors say local impacts are significant and that county and state oversight needs to do more to protect nearby homeowners.

What comes next: residents said they will continue documenting odors and runoff. Commissioners said they will review KDHE documentation and seek clarity on whether annual authorizations or formal permits exist for the specific County sites and whether county enforcement or additional mitigation is appropriate.

","Company representatives described the technical and regulatory steps they follow to inject food‑processing byproduct on farmland; local residents said repeated odors, alleged runoff and missing paperwork have harmed quality of life and urged the county to press state regulators for stronger enforcement.",{"_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},6587696,"County hears proposal to ready county-owned site for industrial park; developer proposes data‑center campus",881,1269000,2150000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5560997-ae19aa594794e0fc2371eae03b9c1cba&start=1269&end=2150","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5560997-ae19aa594794e0fc2371eae03b9c1cba/thumbnail_1269000.jpg","/articles/6587696/Coffey-County/Kansas/County-hears-proposal-to-ready-county-owned-site-for-industrial-park-developer-proposes-datacenter-campus","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6587696-a82ca52fa2dd21b739d81f38a8725b05/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143012&Signature=EDNnRmDRwKKrPDAuitOJtQFzLnwSvzmHjDFx18zVX374CoyQJIMmUA70tn5hkAH8y79Y1L9EfxFu-uhoL8PXkJ6yEI3StuIyAnj22Gow58Kfby-dgMfbacK7R3Di31RBwWr~y045oW4Z4oKTOzl0whdd~kWTv9w3efcMmdm3-5vFx-7B6Xz4zck~P6Ll6e~qBkG5CZ7--Jl8o-7iZfC0yc6HA7jBenKHE8tYftZZRP97RaqIEmISFzdeDNw7dG2Uirg1GJm12lF4E0y5jOY9b7p4~YZhjm4J8GWJTyClL167ingoFA94mV5jpiEZlKDjW-1qmPOd3yimri4TTN~YAA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Coffey County commissioners heard a multi-part presentation on Aug. 11 about preparing the county-owned site along Old Highway 50 and U.S. 75 (referred to in meeting materials as the \"Veo Junction\" site) for future industrial development and received an introduction from a private developer who said he would consider buying the property.

The county’s predevelopment consultants from CFS and Burns & McDonnell described a menu of steps to make the parcel more appealing to industrial users — from preliminary civil and architectural site plans to roadway and utility studies, marketing materials and highway improvements along Old Highway 50 and U.S. 75. The consultants said the work can be staged so the county pays only for the level of “shovel-ready” readiness it wants.

Matt, representing CFS/Burns & McDonnell, told the commission the objective is to move the site toward a conventional industrial park model — for warehousing, logistics and distribution — if a semiconductor campus (previously discussed on the site) is no longer the likely end use. \"If you stay on as the master developer and you hold onto this property, how do we get it to the next level that's marketable?\" Matt asked, explaining utilities-at-property-line and roadway improvements are typical developer requirements.

Developer Gary Pinkston, introduced by local real estate agent Cameron Roth, said his team would be willing to purchase the property and pursue a data‑center campus if the county and utilities can resolve long‑lead items. Pinkston described the site as potentially suitable for multiple data center buildings or a mix of data buildings and other industrial uses and said his group has financing in place. \"We have to have about 300 megawatts of power. We got to have 2,000,000 to 4,000,000 gallons of water a day,\" Pinkston said, describing the level of utility capacity enterprise data centers require.

Pinkston said a purchase would include a multi‑year due diligence window — he described a three‑year period in which his team would secure power and other infrastructure before closing — and that he would expect to run engineering and utility coordination with Burns & McDonnell and county staff. He outlined a conceptual timeline in meeting materials showing several years of engineering and staging; the slide deck presented to commissioners showed a sample 61‑month timeline from contracting through buildout.

Commissioners emphasized caution. Commissioner McCurry and others said the county should pursue information on utility capacity, staging, and whether the county wants to remain the site's master developer or sell. Commissioner Peterson asked for clarity on whether the house carved out of the site would be included in any sale; Pinkston said he would be willing to buy the entire parcel, including the house, or negotiate around an existing tenant. Commissioners asked staff to bring back details, including possible appraisal/value work, and to coordinate with county counsel before any sale discussions or contract drafting.

Why it matters: county‑owned land that was previously advanced for a semiconductor campus remains one of the county’s largest development assets. The options discussed — county-led master development to retain long‑term control versus sale to a private developer — carry different costs and revenue prospects, depend on major outside approvals and utility upgrades, and have multi‑year timelines that affect county budgeting and infrastructure planning.

What comes next: commissioners asked staff to continue due diligence, to coordinate with utilities and Burns & McDonnell on updated water and power assumptions, and to report back with possible appraisal numbers and proposed contract terms before any formal sale or development agreement is considered.

","Consultants described steps to make the county-owned site near Old Highway 50/U.S. 75 more marketable for industry; a private developer offered to buy the parcel and outlined power, water and timeline needs. No sale or contract was approved; commissioners directed staff to continue due diligence and to proceed cautiously.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission donates $2,500 to local cancer support group; approves in‑house CDL hire and payroll corrections

Commission approves first CDBG pay application for Airport Access Road; SSM parking‑lot bid delayed

Residents press county over land application of food‑processing byproduct; company defends testing and permits

County hears proposal to ready county-owned site for industrial park; developer proposes data‑center campus