[{"_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",6502975,"mediaKeyId","5681202-f1d449d4577e67ba6c92a0647d9afde5","parentId",5681202,"title","Commissioners approve minutes, township clerk appointment, two payroll hires and school bus agreement","audioSeconds",42,"startMs",31000,"endMs",73000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5681202-f1d449d4577e67ba6c92a0647d9afde5&start=31&end=73","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5681202-f1d449d4577e67ba6c92a0647d9afde5/thumbnail_31000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6502975/Coffey-County/Kansas/Commissioners-approve-minutes-township-clerk-appointment-two-payroll-hires-and-school-bus-agreement","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6502975-32b7f1cff6232834560f0a58ce854f11/orig.mp4?Expires=1770722402&Signature=U28a1XWCbYzluX3QJRGKqbMndPdl7AFBhFBzyH4VCr~3PlkfnhurpBFdV2CIRZjeKyLW4RVkAJMiv6aV0Wnk1C3WKdYOn4hQhjl4607BQ6y9DlFVAP1n0cxk6ppqY0yO88OwHDxc6m43e59P0nZrrCh9X-2of~OeyLYGN9~Qq7Dl5-l5ja9FsYO8aNDnhFjnFbgYgimyngOimdyJDRY6d9s71elX~JtMTqJPcxwwImRp94D0625umE9hV4Kti-kQENRrNpoiJKZfs7I7RCkgbLcow8YTi5A9CGArnjdDyVPuBgNZHwwCctCnbCfavSS1TYt7wqiPI0TRIsk5QfVHYA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Coffey County, KS","date","2025-08-25T22:30:50Z","article","At Monday\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000's meeting the Coffee County commissioners took a set of routine personnel and administrative actions.

The board approved the minutes of the Aug. 18 meeting by voice vote.

Appointment: Commissioners approved a motion to appoint Carolyn Harvey as clerk of Spring Creek Township to fill a vacancy through the expiration of the term in January 2027; the motion was moved by Commissioner McCurry and seconded by Commissioner Peterson and carried by voice vote.

Payroll notices: The commission approved two payroll notices:
- Jordan Anderson: full-time light equipment operator, recycling; wage classification 31; wage $19.73 (new hire). The payroll notice motion was moved by Abendroth and seconded by Peterson and carried.
- Kenneth Wayner: part-time (3/5) Lake Patrol, Coffey County Lake; wage classification 10-01; wage $15.78; effective 08/22/25. The motion was moved by McCurry and seconded by Peterson and carried.

School bus agreement: Upon recommendation of the emergency-management director, the board authorized the chairman to sign a letter of agreement between Coffee County, Unified School District 243, and the bus contractors; the agreement is a re-signing because of a new bus contractor and a new school superintendent. The motion was moved by McCurry, seconded by Abendroth and carried.

Other administrative notes: The board acknowledged a citizen request by Brian Barnhart to start the process to close a section of Garner Road; commissioners described next steps including a public hearing and required notices but did not act to close the road at this meeting.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Meeting 8-25-2025","oneSentenceSummary","The board approved the Aug. 18 minutes, appointed Carolyn Harvey as clerk of Spring Creek Township through January 2027, approved payroll notices for two new hires and authorized a re-signed bus-contractor agreement with USD 243 and bus contractors.","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},6502980,"Commissioners approve $35,500 masonry repairs and $1,789 glass replacement for Maribel buildings; waive competitive bidding",1278,8348000,9626000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5681202-f1d449d4577e67ba6c92a0647d9afde5&start=8348&end=9626","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5681202-f1d449d4577e67ba6c92a0647d9afde5/thumbnail_8348000.jpg","/articles/6502980/Coffey-County/Kansas/Commissioners-approve-35500-masonry-repairs-and-1789-glass-replacement-for-Maribel-buildings-waive-competitive-bidding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6502980-8ae0793a4a40c4815dd8a1a283944aa5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770722402&Signature=FsFhDCon3FhqmqkhFNcRJ6tj2aEO~7d-WjGK~FG8tFWekfjqFEeJv~eLUpWv9l82h0-ChjXyYIJ9sQeTJzmF68HOfA-dKZPIVXFo2YRB3Y02cwj~~RXskEufxtM5GmyW1hb4nacAmHS36tIQE-rQO0Bh5tdH-kJrcjJ3hQcHBcRmqgqzMoDPnpg4mYGN0K0o12XQn9j5CgiPjhwH6-pxciAvwucyXCmtHvbvsSeZhoBfTepZNih3z0m4R6gE0H1WCckaMM36Q5u0gsUPZ9~v4f4KYsJ9qN3U-Hvoy2RVfU9CwwXRvIubdLOLFrBwC09-99-XdbZzzHkrbvRpnh2rUw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Coffee County Commission on Monday voted to waive formal competitive-bidding procedures and accepted contractor bids to repair two downtown buildings and replace a broken storefront glass panel.

After staff reported difficulty finding timely masonry bidders, the board approved a motion to waive the county\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000purchasing policy for good cause (timely bids were not received) and accepted Superior Masonry & Restoration Inc.\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000's bid dated Aug. 20, 2025, to repair exterior brickwork on both buildings' north/front faces, install a new mud cap at the parapet following roof completion, and inspect and tuck-point mortar joints as necessary, in a total amount of $35,500. The motion specified funds to come from the county\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000economic development fund.

The board then approved an estimate from 888 Glass dated Aug. 13, 2025, to replace a single large tempered storefront pane at 405 Neosho Street in the amount of $1,789.32, also to be paid from the economic development fund.

Why it matters: The two downtown commercial buildings had a partial parapet collapse and a broken storefront pane; the repairs are intended to secure structures, reopen sidewalks and restore storefronts so the properties can be marketed and reoccupied.

Procurement and funding notes: Commissioners discussed prior plans and prior motions; staff confirmed that earlier motions had allocated funds from community-improvement or economic-development reserves and that the CDBG and other grant sources had been used for nearby projects. The board accepted the masonry and glass work and noted that the county's insurance claim and adjuster contacts remain in process; commissioners said they wanted the work started promptly, and the contractor reported availability to begin this week.

Vote: The motion to waive purchasing procedures and accept Superior Masonry's bid was moved by Commissioner McCurry and seconded by Commissioner Barker; the motion carried. The glass estimate motion was moved and seconded and carried.

","The board waived purchasing rules, approved $35,500 for exterior brick repair at 405 and 407 Neosho Street and accepted a $1,789.32 estimate to replace a large pane of glass at 405 Neosho; funding is to come from the economic development fund.",{"_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},6502985,"Developer pitches 75 housing-lot project at Baily Junction; sewer costs and IRB/IRB-like incentives central to feasibility",375,3357000,3732000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5681202-f1d449d4577e67ba6c92a0647d9afde5&start=3357&end=3732","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5681202-f1d449d4577e67ba6c92a0647d9afde5/thumbnail_3357000.jpg","/articles/6502985/Coffey-County/Kansas/Developer-pitches-75-housing-lot-project-at-Baily-Junction-sewer-costs-and-IRBIRB-like-incentives-central-to-feasibility","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6502985-23787c3f31bdfcefa5a3d37a8843a626/orig.mp4?Expires=1770722402&Signature=Ewc51XQN4DSqrItK6Ip5UvxbfgJ1eh02rcaY1pyCdZfiycYg~G4XwB00-uKEoRYzs~IQ0FUaYeAkS61AoXVicvgJOY8GVYg71EoASkp4vd0JQWbBMb12Usu1Un3Rz4DKjdkBBlFywAah0vihoVCAQmncgNxic6sL00HIE~ElLwYFd9au8LRmzuvLxnomp5ojnWmaT3GJWX7x9Np-0e4gKRQl4Pg1oNlbJPEzFFXJGQFAnFebO3i2p1j0kc1Xh4Ni83F7a43JaBD4M3YayjUwZ-17hE~ahNOrX1oG5eH2bsdNXgogfpzllTmEggCQ-HUoHTqF-mlySnZrT1zCDQsI~w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Patrick Wood, one of three partners on a planned housing development near Baily Junction, told the Coffee County Commission on Monday that market research and local real-estate advice point toward building 5-acre lots with houses priced in the $300,000 to $400,000 range. Wood said the plan would break the parcel into roughly 5-acre lots and that site contours allow for walkout basements on some lots.

The central barrier to moving forward, Wood said, is sewage infrastructure. He told the board his group had been told previously the county or other development at the Silicon Prairie site would provide sewer that could be extended to his property; without that connection the developer said on-site systems or a community lagoon would be required. Wood reported soil test holes with mixed results: several holes showed good percolation but others were clay or rock, which would limit conventional lateral systems on many lots and raise costs.

Wood said the development would seek an Industrial Revenue Bond (IRB) or similar sales-tax rebate on construction materials (an IRB for sales-tax exemption rather than long-term bonded financing). He said an IRB would not be a property-tax abatement in their plan but would be used to lower construction costs by removing sales tax on materials. He also asked the county to consider making the Silicon Prairie sewer system large enough to allow future tie-ins, so multiple developments in the area could connect.

Commissioners, county planning and public-works staff, and local consultant Carl (last name not recorded) discussed options. County staff flagged permitting needs (KDHE, state permits) and said community lagoons are cheaper to build but can present aesthetic and marketability problems for nearby lots. One staff member estimated sewer infrastructure in the corridor could range from several hundred thousand dollars to multiple millions depending on system type and scale; in the meeting an engineer referenced design-cost ranges from roughly $450,000-$500,000 on the low end up to $2 million-$20 million depending on scale, but Wood said exact costs would require further study and partner commitments.

Wood also proposed a local occupancy/inspection process to help buyers qualify for VA and other mortgage financing; he said local real-estate practitioners reported difficulty obtaining occupancy approvals, which can block secondary-market financing.

Why it matters: The county faces a shortage of housing in several price bands. Developers say infrastructure costs are the primary impediment to building market-rate homes in rural areas. County involvement in sewer infrastructure, IRB facilitation or a local inspection program could change the economics of rural subdivisions.

Next steps: Commissioners did not commit funding. Several members asked Wood to pursue partner interest, refine payback and IRB timelines (Wood suggested 10-15 years as an initial payback target for an IRB but said he would re-run numbers), and return with more detailed cost estimates and partner commitments. Staff said KDHE permitting and soil conditions must be part of next steps.

","A developer told commissioners a planned 75-housing development near Baily Junction would target $300,000-$400,000 homes but depends on sewer infrastructure; the developer said he will seek an IRB for sales-tax exemption and requested that county sewer planning consider his property for tie-in.",{"_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},6502988,"Commissioners approve $184,750 engineering contract for airport frontage road; KDOT traffic study flagged as additional cost",735,4683000,5418000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5681202-f1d449d4577e67ba6c92a0647d9afde5&start=4683&end=5418","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5681202-f1d449d4577e67ba6c92a0647d9afde5/thumbnail_4683000.jpg","/articles/6502988/Coffey-County/Kansas/Commissioners-approve-184750-engineering-contract-for-airport-frontage-road-KDOT-traffic-study-flagged-as-additional-cost","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6502988-f8453237dd1e762affc12612ed71bb8e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770722402&Signature=E30GTC7odAkJSPdB15rpAizINAXy2Szl5b-VVWsISabGe~JKQm1yhCYQ9esicSaWfAzlv96LXSdH9vjfLSI4JHC0c6OQzg~vFMYldnMn291lJmxTjkKknE3Z9-XTJkBF87WqldN3v-La3NsiSCShfu4T4bkD39wyBDU8FZfMp5o1gYZaVLZNE4EIBcN97~l2MgnCbVpDXoUqXi2vKCNWGRsUfcE1MdloCLocTnycATlTktACt6jK~g6rjiz8lDElAlBsZuIXbdxeyVcb3zbq21BQZWSIXq8XCmqKb~JM1iuH3hzzuGL6rJYIfHKF96pIxnJFxO1OW0IkPe9Jd1pM4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Coffee County Board of Commissioners voted to authorize professional engineering services for the Coffee County Airport frontage road design and inspection with CFS Engineers in an amount not to exceed $184,750. The board\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000approved the task order as part of the county\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000CDBG-funded SSM/Frontage Road Phase 2 project; staff said the design and inspection costs are eligible for reimbursement under the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG).

The motion to approve the professional engineering services task order for up to $184,750 was moved by Commissioner Thompson and seconded by Commissioner Peterson and passed by voice vote.

During discussion, county staff and the project engineer explained that the CDBG portion covers the design and inspection dollars already in the project budget and that the $184,750 figure had been included in prior project authorizations. The engineer advised that KDOT may require a separate traffic study focused on the 75 Highway access and potential future impacts from development at the airport; the county\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000engineer estimated that the modeling and data-collection work would cost about $21,754 if the study is required. Commissioners and staff discussed options for cost-sharing: the engineering firm indicated the county would typically be billed for a KDOT-style traffic analysis while KDOT has programs to cost-share construction if improvements become required.

Why it matters: The frontage-road design is intended to improve access to the airport and to support planned development adjacent to the airport. The design contract being reimbursable under CDBG reduces the county\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000local cash outlay for design and inspection, but potential KDOT-mandated work could create additional engineering costs.

Funding and next steps: Staff said the $184,750 is covered by the existing CDBG award; invoices submitted against the task order have been held pending an executed contract. Commissioners asked staff to try to lower the separate traffic-study fee or to pursue cost-sharing; an engineer said he would try to seek a contribution. No separate vote was taken on the $21,754 traffic-study estimate during the meeting.

","The Coffee County Commission authorized up to $184,750 for design and inspection services for the airport frontage road; the project is funded through a CDBG grant, and county staff warned a separate traffic study requested by KDOT could add roughly $21,754 in engineering fees.",{"_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},6502990,"Coffee County, Fire District approve 2026 budgets; commissioners adopt resolutions to exceed revenue-neutral rates",1747,710000,2457000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5681202-f1d449d4577e67ba6c92a0647d9afde5&start=710&end=2457","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5681202-f1d449d4577e67ba6c92a0647d9afde5/thumbnail_710000.jpg","/articles/6502990/Coffey-County/Kansas/Coffee-County-Fire-District-approve-2026-budgets-commissioners-adopt-resolutions-to-exceed-revenue-neutral-rates","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6502990-b49747648b54fb4595d3c6fb016b0f21/orig.mp4?Expires=1770722402&Signature=QzQF-eCRujpuzBI1FV0o66cJNgh1dcsB9z1HJM5ox8xWVpIBbvZ-KnXQ6Yi61ceBGBgn0qvm6-Xuv0NL9px~yyv0i3JHzuzQ~WAjmqZY2Ho8gKrGL5afEburDREjVkUTC5X283o19UyMLZXzU8QigyzgPX-OlCERJ1FACtDEF6jeSqefiTBq4KD-knSagvdxEvvgaNyIYq8MorZenv2RWuGdFEcE9YP4ktgw8CFNm5H7H0jXPhJROVFGtog0L2whpWAkfJ63Wolmy9x6bWjcWbJntCzM~sIZojOJaHqsLz-kthRRculY0LP2IZKi66zLhEp0COZ5OLkkXFJDwgXpbQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Coffee County Board of Commissioners voted Monday to approve the 2026 budgets and passed two resolutions allowing property-tax levies that exceed the revenue-neutral rate.

At a series of morning hearings for Coffey County Fire District No. 1 and for Coffee County, commissioners first approved Resolution No. 876c to levy a property-tax rate for the fire district that exceeds the revenue-neutral rate; the motion was moved by Commissioner Steve McCurry and seconded by Commissioner Thompson and carried by voice vote. The board then approved the fire district\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000budget for fiscal year 2026 as published; that motion was moved by Commissioner Peterson and seconded by Commissioner Abendroth and carried.

Later in the meeting the commission approved Resolution No. 875c, a resolution for the County of Coffee, Kansas, to levy a property-tax rate exceeding the revenue-neutral rate; that motion was moved by Commissioner Thompson and seconded by Commissioner Peterson and carried. The board then held a public budget hearing and approved the county\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000budget for 2026 as published. The motions to adopt the county budget were moved by McCurry and seconded by Abendroth and carried.

Why it matters: The revenue-neutral-rate process is the state-mandated hearing that gives taxpayers notice and a chance to comment when proposed levies would collect more property-tax revenue than the previous year after valuation changes. Adopting budgets and levies that exceed the revenue-neutral rate means more tax revenue will be collected than under a strictly neutral levy.

Public comment: Multiple residents addressed the commissioners during the hearings. Deborah Stuckey of 1020 Arrowhead Drive spoke in support of the volunteer fire department and asked for a brief explanation of the proposed increase, saying she \u0000appreciate[s] our volunteer fire department so much and \u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000asked \u0000for details on what the increase is needed for.\u0000 William D. Jackson Jr., a local resident, criticized rising taxes and urged the county to pursue long-term economic development and power generation to stabilize revenue. Jim Weeks said his property valuation rose significantly and warned higher taxes could force people on fixed incomes from their homes. Another resident, citing the proposed county figures, said the county\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000portion of their taxes had increased by about 32 percent over two years.

Board response and context: Commissioners repeatedly told speakers that the board had worked to trim the proposed budget, that much of the county\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000increase reflected employee-benefit costs (notably hospital employee benefits), and that some expenditures are constrained by prior commitments. The board noted there will be follow-up budget hearings; one resident asked how to get a printed copy of the county budget, and staff indicated follow-up material and another hearing were scheduled.

Votes at a glance:
- Resolution No. 876c (Coffey County Fire District No. 1): Motion to levy property-tax rate exceeding revenue-neutral rate — mover: Commissioner McCurry; second: Commissioner Thompson; outcome: approved (voice vote).
- 2026 Coffey County Fire District No. 1 budget: Motion to approve as published — mover: Commissioner Peterson; second: Commissioner Abendroth; outcome: approved (voice vote).
- Resolution No. 875c (County of Coffee, Kansas): Motion to levy property-tax rate exceeding revenue-neutral rate — mover: Commissioner Thompson; second: Commissioner Peterson; outcome: approved (voice vote).
- 2026 Coffee County budget (countywide): Motion to approve as published — mover: Commissioner McCurry; second: Commissioner Abendroth; outcome: approved (voice vote).

Next steps: Commissioners closed the hearings and the new budgets and levy resolutions take effect under state procedures; additional budget hearings and publication steps were discussed for related matters.

","After public hearings with several residents urging caution on tax increases, the Coffee County Commission approved a resolution to levy above the revenue-neutral rate for Coffey County Fire District No. 1 and adopted the county\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u00002026 budget.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commissioners approve minutes, township clerk appointment, two payroll hires and school bus agreement

Commissioners approve $35,500 masonry repairs and $1,789 glass replacement for Maribel buildings; waive competitive bidding

Developer pitches 75 housing-lot project at Baily Junction; sewer costs and IRB/IRB-like incentives central to feasibility

Commissioners approve $184,750 engineering contract for airport frontage road; KDOT traffic study flagged as additional cost

Coffee County, Fire District approve 2026 budgets; commissioners adopt resolutions to exceed revenue-neutral rates