[{"_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",6468078,"mediaKeyId","5782826-282f3eedbeeb35b47734eb17db2a8678","parentId",5782826,"title","Votes at a glance: Atchison County commission approves purchase orders, a road contract and several payments","audioSeconds",1990,"startMs",374000,"endMs",2364000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5782826-282f3eedbeeb35b47734eb17db2a8678&start=374&end=2364","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5782826-282f3eedbeeb35b47734eb17db2a8678/thumbnail_374000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6468078/Atchison-County/Kansas/Votes-at-a-glance-Atchison-County-commission-approves-purchase-orders-a-road-contract-and-several-payments","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6468078-f2c211efed036ee0f109d3b1fb2cc642/orig.mp4?Expires=1773709268&Signature=Om9QRDXJQ4wzzMoXc0Od06RyTKZ63WIMU7Y2Qm3-S3S~X6j8-w7dsuM0MsYObn1UKmF7F2lHON8OuCnTq66LFCHXt2tC6mPthk7zjtiypoeQUFvyt6uKGtoCDPdm3DcnMrqyvHfEchtIQtCIGwJw~tfOoxC17AIACYHE0AT~c93BCRy8zCoULusQJQZXKI6T~vjxe6WALkhLFu9mWs5WT-jKMpJQsP~a496dk20HLKTr79EiICQdpze0-QcE2i0dhuXw2oVSlT~Vnd72eatzWTdA~l3b04FzFld4-EeqsHs0lAtgkdmtY8iDZGP1RVZWSc6AYSdvXWxcwZ3aqBKJDw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Atchison County, KS","date","2025-09-18T13:12:35Z","article","The Atchison County Commission adopted routine meeting items and approved a set of purchase orders and contracts during the Sept. 16 meeting. Key votes and outcomes:

- Approval of the meeting agenda — motion passed, 3-0.

- Approval of the consent agenda (minutes and finance report) — motion passed, 3-0.

- Polling-location notification postcards (county clerk): the commission approved a purchase order of up to $4,500 to print and mail postcards to households with active registered voters. The county clerk said the amount is an estimate from a single vendor and staff will seek additional quotes; funding will come from the elections budget. Vote: unanimous.

- Purchase order to BG Consultants (architectural/engineering services for Senior Village project): Finance Director Mark Zeltner asked the commission to approve a purchase order for $9,750 to BG Consultants to cover work on the interior design and bid documents for a Senior Village building. Zeltner said the purchase order will be paid from the Senior Village proceeds fund, which had about $30,404 remaining after prior payments and a 90‑day CD. Motion passed, 2-1.

- Request for payment to Trottloff Excavating (Effingham sports complex): the commission approved a $4,000 payment to Trottloff Excavating for installation of a waterline and hydrant at the Effingham sports complex. Funding will come from the sales‑tax maintenance allocation for sports sites. Vote: unanimous.

- Notice of award for the 2025–2026 asphalt patching program: Road and Bridge Superintendent Joe Snyder recommended awarding the bid to Little Joe’s Asphalt Inc. for $207,535. The commission moved to accept the notice of award and allow signing of the notice; the motion carried.

- Consent to cleanup activities (KDHE program): the commission authorized the chair to sign a consent to cleanup activities for the property at 2411 Pacific Street (Atchison) as part of a county program run with KDHE. Vote: unanimous.

Other votes recorded in the meeting included a series of motions to recess into executive session for attorney‑client consultation and for discussions of nonelected personnel under K.S.A. 75‑4‑319; those motions were all approved by the commission.

Why it matters: the purchase orders and contract awards move capital and maintenance projects forward (Senior Village design work, road patching, sports‑complex infrastructure) and ensure election notifications are mailed in time for upcoming ballots.

Ending: commissioners directed staff to continue seeking competitive quotes where practicable and to return any contracts or agreements that require additional drafting or revisions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Atchison County Commission Video 2025-09-18","oneSentenceSummary","The Atchison County Commission adopted routine meeting items and approved a set of purchase orders and contracts during the Sept. 16 meeting.","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},6468083,"Atchison County finance director flags revenue shortfalls and commissioners debate enforcing line‑item budget limits",2287,528000,2815000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5782826-282f3eedbeeb35b47734eb17db2a8678&start=528&end=2815","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5782826-282f3eedbeeb35b47734eb17db2a8678/thumbnail_528000.jpg","/articles/6468083/Atchison-County/Kansas/Atchison-County-finance-director-flags-revenue-shortfalls-and-commissioners-debate-enforcing-lineitem-budget-limits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6468083-66b39fa6c41b3fe1e030591510931dcd/orig.mp4?Expires=1773709268&Signature=Vyq1ntsqhAr8mPa5tLGwLx49F3qFq7Nyo7-InvvTQQI-nzRHESb4ZKDMI8Alg9pcLiBqRkFjxVq-EVVKBPEwm-4jsjSmifvUPtpCnYWJ8q8XddtrFdiInvVeIxqi9~1H6Zwc~0MEzto62~fxVHSnJa0dAka1HF~QO3zX1ZF-lzbTnmxt2RDxS8KY3oFceyqApog-5bL6WUe5prsQZAyPu2mGOUYb7FBGPepcBSTBhYLhtaaGu54Us9aOu-4HZ53rVbkYpIvYVeXeplu45wKLxEY7h4qscs~H1e2SbR8aPLYGScsJwmSIFgWZ3IEvt3-D7xKPjiClpoXo1G~D2mrvRA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Finance Director Mark Zeltner told the Atchison County Commission on Sept. 16 that collections for several revenue streams had improved since July but that budget risks remain.

Zeltner said ad valorem property tax delinquencies fell from about $565,000 in July to roughly $476,000 and vehicle-tax delinquencies moved from about $411,000 to $404,000. He told the commission interest posted to the county checking accounts is tracking close to budget: the budget anticipated $325,000 and ‘‘we're almost at 311’’ thousand dollars. EMS collections were about $538,000 through August against a $650,000 projection, and the county received $175,005.75 in the 3/4-cent sales tax that supports solid waste and joint communications in August.

Zeltner also reported overall spending in the county budget is at about 70 percent of the year-to-date appropriation and identified two large appropriations not yet paid: about $40,000 to the health department and $69,002.67 to the extension council. Cash balances reported included roughly $73,000 in the solid-waste fund and about $101,000 in joint communications.

Commissioners responded to a fund‑level report showing multiple departmental line items already over their budgeted amounts. County Counselor Pat summarized the legal constraints under Kansas budget law and related attorney-general opinions, saying the statutory cash‑basis rules are intended to prevent spending money ‘‘you don't have’’ and that the board has discretion over how specifically it wants departments to be held to the budget documents provided to the state.

‘‘Overspending is not legal in Kansas,’’ Pat said. He advised that, short of adding budget authority through a formal budget amendment, the county would have two principal remediation options if a line item is exhausted: stop the spending or move to amend the budget. Pat also warned that stopping payroll in a personnel-services line could create a legal conflict between payroll and other employment laws and that specific cases would have to be evaluated if a clash arose.

Commissioners pressed for clarity about enforcement. One commissioner asked whether the board can direct the human resources office to stop payroll when a personnel-services appropriation runs out; Pat said the question can produce a legal conflict and would need to be handled on a case-by-case basis, though the underlying budget law requires budget authority for expenditures.

Zeltner presented a list of appropriation requests the commission is still considering as part of the 2026 budgeting process. The finance office’s summary of requests included:

- Northeast Kansas Area Agency on Aging — $2,006.37 (membership/participation funds)
- Northeast Kansas multi-county health department — $80,000 (statutorily required support; amount not predefined)
- Extension council — $138,005.34 (own-levy request; county must approve a dollar figure)
- Project Concern — $100,000 (discretionary; commissioners were told failure to fund could result in closure of the Effingham site)
- Conservation district — $25,000 (county allocation that prompts state matching funds)
- Northeast Kansas Environmental Services (interlocal) — $10,000

Zeltner told the commission the total of the appropriation requests under consideration was about $366,001.71.

Commissioners and staff discussed the county’s mill‑levy calculations. Zeltner said the initial 2026 requests equated to a 68.951‑mill levy; commissioners had earlier trimmed that to a publicized figure near 62.761 mills and asked for additional departmental reductions to move the levy lower. He said additional cuts, project deferrals or alternative funding approaches could reduce the levy further.

Why it matters: commissioners said they are balancing fiduciary responsibility, statutory budget rules and the operational needs of county departments and local partner agencies. The discussion sets the parameters for the public budget hearing scheduled for Sept. 21 and for follow-up budget amendments or further direction to department heads.

Ending: Zeltner said staff will continue to monitor collections and bring amendments or purchase orders forward as needed. Commissioners asked for clearer communication to departments about spending expectations, and Pat said he would help draft language the commission could use to set the desired level of specificity in future budgets.","Finance Director Mark Zeltner presented a 2025 budget update showing improving collections but continued risks. Commissioners and County Counselor Pat discussed the limits of local authority under Kansas budget law, enforcement options if departmental line items are overspent, and pending appropriation requests totaling about $366,002.",{"_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},6468069,"Road superintendent recommends Little Joe’s for asphalt patching; commissioners warned harvest traffic will affect county roads",995,5336000,6331000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5782826-282f3eedbeeb35b47734eb17db2a8678&start=5336&end=6331","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5782826-282f3eedbeeb35b47734eb17db2a8678/thumbnail_5336000.jpg","/articles/6468069/Atchison-County/Kansas/Road-superintendent-recommends-Little-Joes-for-asphalt-patching-commissioners-warned-harvest-traffic-will-affect-county-roads","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6468069-9571ddf2d26f3efe47c75563cd3452cb/orig.mp4?Expires=1773709268&Signature=WexcXGcQiE76fXbJENZDY~9fu1rbcUiKmeGOjOYcGB9EUksY6L6G1KRXNy6rmO6xwe7Ka4fBEJMFFYIDWUYmQYnPdOBmnowYySxnsuQ6jOesMaZUKjiRtA4QP2-cS5vrXiluHwaDCklqq5Sr-elHsAsRLkbqW2xBeOhrdaR6He56ZclyYR3cYJyl95hT5iZICBvNj5hmpZPWqwb4yrD1FDr9bpLR-ZlwoSFQ-GF9KC2R5UXz7ftYiCsL0a9EDLkb0GQJ3QrmAqw5S3N86EX56WUpqTCm9IfWXKL3fFIjJh2vn-OCwJZGmHBwulnPpbT7Pf~7BHLaKCR5tSkK8a0kTQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Road and Bridge Superintendent Joe Snyder told the Atchison County Commission on Sept. 16 that the department’s low bidder, Little Joe’s Asphalt Inc., submitted a $207,535 bid for the county’s 2025–26 asphalt patching program and that he recommended awarding the notice of award to the company.

Snyder listed the roads included in the program: Bridal Street in Lancaster; Greeley at Paradise Lake; 326 east of Douglas; Edwards between 280 Sixth and 318; and 318 between Douglas and Edwards. He asked the commission to allow the county to sign the notice of award and said Little Joe’s planned to start some work in the fall where possible but that many plants do not reopen until spring.

‘‘I would recommend going with Little Joe's,’’ Snyder said.

Snyder also updated the commission on recent culvert replacements on Ottawa Road and acknowledged the sections would continue to settle. He said the speed limit on that road remains 55 mph but the department has posted ‘‘rough road — 35 mph’’ signs to encourage slower driving near the repaired areas.

Snyder warned that during harvest some out-of-county loaded grain trucks are using local county connectors — particularly 250 Fourth — as bypasses to avoid waits at signals, and that the heavy loads cause rapid deterioration. He said county crews will try to respond but urged truckers to avoid routes not designed for heavy agricultural traffic.

The commission approved the notice of award and instructed Snyder to coordinate traffic control and scheduling with contractors ahead of the work.

Why it matters: the award commits county funding and contractor scheduling for road repairs; harvest‑season heavy truck traffic is a recurring operational issue with a direct cost to county road maintenance budgets.

Ending: Snyder said the department will post signage, coordinate with contractors and provide a work schedule and traffic plan to the commission.","Road and Bridge Superintendent Joe Snyder recommended awarding the 2025–26 asphalt patching contract to Little Joe’s Asphalt for $207,535. Snyder also warned commissioners that harvest season and diverted loaded trucks are stressing local roads and urged motorists and contractors to avoid county detours where possible.",{"_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},6468073,"Commissioners, trustees and rec commission discuss six‑month trial lease for Memorial Hall; staff to draft agreement",1367,4002000,5369000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5782826-282f3eedbeeb35b47734eb17db2a8678&start=4002&end=5369","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5782826-282f3eedbeeb35b47734eb17db2a8678/thumbnail_4002000.jpg","/articles/6468073/Atchison-County/Kansas/Commissioners-trustees-and-rec-commission-discuss-sixmonth-trial-lease-for-Memorial-Hall-staff-to-draft-agreement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6468073-3f22e4ecd2501d22dd7d63d5d6f74505/orig.mp4?Expires=1773709268&Signature=VLC4p5nBr-c9VFSXjsIACr5fXcnbk0sBnoJtRU6~8fGV78XOsK3CbTomkWf7SB8YBJ9J5qfozWhHLkbQsXO1d-R~Gucl3S7dHOT9VuVHbENn~5pDd28DJC2i2vgxW~YaWO0QgWa8xnIRIK1bmDSlmPAFvCTIaekBxHGwFJtZhtwHB~5Vd6MDNptQkikAZUso7J28fujiBWJSFEsaFqwtlK52bOI8wUwE0htG8k~ph1DKdH1EO8d4MszhVwjNPtae99J13C3UXg6EM54iWkW6wp92GUn0HOgrQYeGpAS5eVWtJ6WjRM4DnXmwTnO0ChSEnR00MLQH3vD9WRsU3AKoNg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representatives of the Edison Recreation Commission and the Memorial Hall board met with the Atchison County Commission on Sept. 16 to review a draft occupancy agreement for Memorial Hall.

Nick Grama, executive director of the Edison Recreation Commission, and Travis Grossman, a Memorial Hall trustee, explained the rec commission’s preference for a six‑month initial lease term that would give both parties data on revenues, rental income and utilities before committing to an annual agreement. Grama and Grossman said the shorter initial term would allow the rec commission to show six months of operating numbers to inform the July 1 budget cycle.

County Counselor Pat and staff discussed several contract items that need editing for a six‑month term, such as timing of property-insurance reimbursements, utility billing and the existing gym‑floor refinishing provision. Pat said those clauses can be revised to fit a six‑month initial period and recommended clarifying any opt‑out timing in the agreement.

Commissioners said they wanted assurances the arrangement would be fiscally responsible for the county and requested that the rec commission and trustees meet regularly with county staff during the trial. Commissioners asked staff to draft a revised agreement with an initial six‑month term and language allowing a roll to an annual term if the parties agree after the trial period. The commission also requested the county budget include six months of utility and insurance exposure for 2026 as a precaution in case the rec commission vacates at short notice.

Why it matters: Memorial Hall is a publicly owned facility used for recreation programs and community events. How the county structures occupancy, insurance and utilities affects both programming continuity and the long-term costs borne by the county and the 409 school district that has historically supported the facility.

Ending: The county counselor will prepare a revised agreement reflecting the six‑month initial term and bring a proposed contract back to the commission at the next regular meeting for formal action.","The commission, Memorial Hall trustees and Edison Recreation Commission discussed a proposed occupancy agreement for Memorial Hall. Recreation leaders requested a six‑month initial term to align county budgeting and test operations; the county counselor will revise the draft lease and return a proposed agreement next week.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Atchison County commission approves purchase orders, a road contract and several payments

Atchison County finance director flags revenue shortfalls and commissioners debate enforcing line‑item budget limits

Road superintendent recommends Little Joe’s for asphalt patching; commissioners warned harvest traffic will affect county roads

Commissioners, trustees and rec commission discuss six‑month trial lease for Memorial Hall; staff to draft agreement