[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6469409,"mediaKeyId","5782926-ef3f5fe44c2afc72bd14eb464c60a065","parentId",5782926,"title","Public works awards winter-material contracts; KDOT increases funding for safety work at NW 40th and Rossville/Carlson","audioSeconds",385,"startMs",6945000,"endMs",7330000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5782926-ef3f5fe44c2afc72bd14eb464c60a065&start=6945&end=7330","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5782926-ef3f5fe44c2afc72bd14eb464c60a065/thumbnail_6945000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6469409/Shawnee-County/Kansas/Public-works-awards-winter-material-contracts-KDOT-increases-funding-for-safety-work-at-NW-40th-and-RossvilleCarlson","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6469409-88b4fb012ebd782ddb4a4fdcb84e0529/orig.mp4?Expires=1777128822&Signature=JqK-YsNM43PIMMgcUl~pmR7kGysmSxPzYejvWUAl8SPBBGYFp4yIKJvsqIWoaFVbfswjUC4uOkCaeCXxEktkXy7opQeiH8Hqi8WbcCtqqg3NYzxRtxlpZMpYE-vMao1akCOOmqsCQ3yjncE-VO5pYVlD6oRnaUQWqnHvA4CbiTivGfLGrR1RdUqkKtMpWCuA1plem0lgtxNQ9vwMAQcqbl5q1qtO2sZ95ayUg-8Om7o3fvlomn2gxxg9hOi53BCfVRl9ncoPxAk5QjDXqGcTnRVYDy0OOahWA-1HNXpc2c0Q02L3my4sxPhMSy7sBmE5~23QeyG08S3xzobtXntZpg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Shawnee County","date","2025-09-15T16:05:42Z","article","Shawnee County commissioners on Sept. 15 approved winter-material contracts and accepted additional state participation for a safety project on Northwest 40th Street.

Salt and sand bids

Public Works Director Courtney House recommended awarding a contract to Independent Salt Company (Kanopolis, Kan.) for up to 5,000 tons of deicing salt at $51.39 per ton for the 2025-26 winter season. The board approved the award. House told commissioners that the award represents a 39-cent per-ton decrease from the prior year.

Kurt Nehauser, public works director, recommended awarding a separate contract to Hamm Inc. (Perry, Kan.) for up to 8,000 tons of sand at $12.85 per ton; commissioners approved that award. Township-portion billing arrangements were described: some township loads will be billed to the townships and reimbursed to the county.

KDOT agreement for NW 40th safety work

The board approved KDOT and Shawnee County agreement amendments (contract C347-2025, supplemental 785-24) to increase the state/federal participation cap on construction and consultant engineering (CE) services for a non-geometric safety improvement project at Northwest 40th Street at Northwest Rossville/Carlson Road from $90,000 to $180,000. Nehauser said KDOT provided additional H-3 funds to double the state contribution; the total project cost is estimated at $100,000 to $200,000, and the county's additional responsibility will be roughly $10,000.

Public comment

Several residents spoke in favor of the Rossville-area safety investment. Myron Leinwett of Northwest Seventieth Street thanked commissioners for the project and asked staff to improve communication with the city of Rossville about the planned work, traffic control and timing. Nehauser said the safety improvements will use the existing roadway geometry and that the project would be let by KDOT in January.

Votes and next steps

All three items (salt award, sand award, and the KDOT supplemental agreement) were approved unanimously by the board. Public works staff said they will proceed with purchasing and coordinate construction scheduling with KDOT and affected local jurisdictions.

Ending

Commissioners praised the competitive bids and the state support for the safety project; staff said they will keep local stakeholders advised about the project schedule and traffic controls.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Shawnee County Kansas Commission Meeting 2025/09/15","oneSentenceSummary","Shawnee County awarded bids for deicing salt and sand and approved a KDOT supplemental agreement doubling state participation on a non-geometric safety project at NW 40th and Rossville/Carlson from $90,000 to $180,000.","taxTitle","Shawnee County, Kansas","taxId",2886,"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},6469413,"Commissioners approve $1.72 million contract to add four courts at Casa—over Tennis Center",302,4285000,4587000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5782926-ef3f5fe44c2afc72bd14eb464c60a065&start=4285&end=4587","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5782926-ef3f5fe44c2afc72bd14eb464c60a065/thumbnail_4285000.jpg","/articles/6469413/Shawnee-County/Kansas/Commissioners-approve-172-million-contract-to-add-four-courts-at-Casaover-Tennis-Center","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6469413-096475e705ab43cfe6a407906caac3f8/orig.mp4?Expires=1777128822&Signature=FsDn62KHABHVNBVJjVgxBFxGO3ntmTdqPpt7qbhooFanPYc0XjqZJyI0B8Z7tksypg1JlTScddBDWGIjIP8ERSCoSobzoiC9yOlgBrDffOiWa8OS0nh2v9n7yOeg-dIQA61GgJ99vvHy8bTWZPM6E8~8YJVmefXWwQhWXXi4-TNbxaOQNvgRp3ggNXfrwLVJaMKZLka-rjoJiTYbLHFelhFlda9i2nqYG9PDu1dekHxEc7SjppMFd7ghdmwwEf0hwX5msR6SkxEtMXdXOakfs~nUByB2iaKaxPMmxDAcwMzfTQgoPutHuPAwb6Ijw1e7-3zJHeAuoJbH9drrdl8h~Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Shawnee County commissioners voted unanimously on Sept. 15 to award a $1,722,168 construction contract to MultiSports LLC to add four new tennis courts, LED lighting, fencing, walkways and related improvements at the Casa\u0000over Tennis Center.

Parks and Recreation management specialist Derek Scribe told the board the project also includes repairing and resurfacing all 18 existing courts. The department presented three competitive bids and recommended MultiSports based on experience, references, equipment familiarity and the shortest project timeline.

Funding and context

Jennifer Sauer, the county's financial administrator, said the project will be paid with proceeds and interest from a revenue bond issue the board previously approved. The commission issued $20 million in revenue bonds in 2023, of which roughly $10 million was designated for Parks and Recreation; Sauer said approximately $1.5 million from the parks bond pool remains unassigned (amount subject to final arbitrage calculations). Sauer and staff said the court lighting upgrade is expected to reduce operating costs because LED fixtures will replace older lighting.

Local support

Representatives of the local tennis community told commissioners the expansion will let Casa\u0000over host larger regional and national tournaments and increase usage by clubs and high schools. \"By the approval of these courts are going to allow us to bring in players from all over the nation,\" said Greg Lutz, representing the Topeka tennis community. Mark Nordstrom, past president of the local tennis association, thanked the board for its continued support.

Vote and next steps

The board voted 3-0 to award the bid and direct Parks and Recreation to finalize contract documents. Parks staff said the lighting and resurfacing work will also aim to reduce long-term operating costs and that the Musco-lighting purchase/installation may come back to the board in a separate agenda item.

Ending

Parks staff said the project will expand tournament capability and is intended to increase regional sports tourism and use by local residents and schools.","The board awarded a $1,722,168 contract to MultiSports LLC to add four courts, lighting, fencing and walkways at Casa\u0000over Tennis Center; the project will be paid from previously issued bond proceeds and related interest.",{"_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},6469417,"Shawnee County commissioners cut parks spending, reduce mental-health request and allocate reserves as 2026 budget talks continue",5113,1672000,6785000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5782926-ef3f5fe44c2afc72bd14eb464c60a065&start=1672&end=6785","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5782926-ef3f5fe44c2afc72bd14eb464c60a065/thumbnail_1672000.jpg","/articles/6469417/Shawnee-County/Kansas/Shawnee-County-commissioners-cut-parks-spending-reduce-mental-health-request-and-allocate-reserves-as-2026-budget-talks-continue","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6469417-25bb365a45195cf6dafdcc32acb24289/orig.mp4?Expires=1777128823&Signature=BEKvBiw5QEh0KE~sJG9ctKvq5O5xqHtfrUZNV~N8Hzl9Cq-N5H2FxNxurtHFetW4FteJ5C6hR50m~yJ4ZL8rurtl7W8XcUFt2CtVpGqW3LSejoXmYetSR7LG12YnGeS0gmC4Fh5Dd0I5usXrPnMDxLXBgyoVXvbgbwOCP3xQSiMOl6xyYwq8YlwBZUcjD0bYjpJ5l-Y4NRzN5KzfrhEb2DjH1WJ2narU6PB5F08GQD59OkW6G-l-jurCq~tAIaZvaO4sXXA3k10L9qjH0IxnG25C1YLbwn7L5MKFBBxdmR8C2owlUBoVcKRrbu2o9no~2Kq0i5kRZFH52v6-kKSGVg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Shawnee County commissioners on Sept. 15 approved several adjustments to the county's proposed 2026 working budget while deferring final adoption to a later meeting.

The Board of County Commissioners voted to reduce the Parks and Recreation operating request by $250,000 and to set the county's general-fund contribution to Vallejo (the county-contracted mental-health provider) at $3,000,000, with an additional $170,000 to come from the county's opioid-settlement funds. Commissioners also approved using $350,000 from finalized 2024 reserves toward capital outlay projects. Commissioners said they will take final votes and any remaining adjustments at a later session; staff said the budget paperwork must be submitted to the clerk's office by Oct. 1.

Why it matters: The actions reduce the amount to be raised through the mill levy and reallocate one-time resources to cover capital needs and a portion of mental-health funding. Commissioners and staff repeatedly cautioned that using reserves for ongoing expenses can create a larger gap in next year's budget, and they discussed the trade-offs of using one-time money for election equipment and deferred maintenance.

Most important facts

- Parks and Recreation: The commission approved a $250,000 reduction to the department's operating request; the motion passed 3-0. The commissioners and staff characterized this as a specific cut to bring the overall levy closer to last year's level.

- Vallejo funding: Commissioners voted 3-0 to lower Vallejo's requested general-fund allocation to $3,000,000 and to designate $170,000 from opioid-settlement funds for substance-use treatment related purposes. Jennifer Sauer, the county's financial administrator, confirmed parts of Vallejo's additional request were one-time merger-related costs.

- Reserves and capital outlay: Commissioners approved using $350,000 from finalized 2024 reserves toward capital outlay (vote 2-1). Commissioner discussion repeatedly emphasized that reserves are typically best used for one-time capital expenditures rather than ongoing operating costs.

- Found reserves and timing: Jennifer Sauer said finalized 2024 fund-balance work showed the county's reserves rose by just under $1 million, creating room to designate some funds for one-time needs. Sauer also estimated the county's additional pay-period cost (a one-time payroll timing issue that recurs infrequently) at roughly $3.7 million and noted election-equipment upgrades are estimated at about $3,044,000.

- Schedule: Staff said the clerk needs final documents by Oct. 1. Commissioners agreed to continue final adjustments at a subsequent meeting (the board discussed meeting Sept. 22 as the next opportunity).

What commissioners and staff said

Commissioner Kevin Cook moved the Parks and Recreation cut and the motion passed unanimously after a brief discussion about public expectations for a lower mill levy. \"The public has been very voiceful in that they wanna see the mill levy decrease,\" he said during the meeting.

Commissioner Aaron Mays moved the Vallejo funding motion. Commissioner Cook seconded. After discussion about federal and state reductions to Vallejo, and the merger-related one-time costs, Mays said he wanted to ensure the opioid-settlement funds were used with County oversight: \"it has to have specific oversight from the county to make sure that it is compliant,\" Cook said when discussing using settlement funds.

Sauer cautioned about using reserves for recurring costs: \"If any reserves that you use for the budget... you're gonna have to find that next year,\" she said, adding that reserves are better reserved for one-time capital spending.

Discussion vs. decisions

- Discussion-only items: Several line-item reduction proposals were made (including motions to reduce the sheriff's budget and the district attorney's budget) but lacked seconds and therefore died without a vote.

- Direction/assignment: Commissioners directed staff to bring final budget documents to the clerk by Oct. 1 and scheduled a continuation of budget work at the next meeting.

- Formal actions: The votes recorded above (parks reduction; Vallejo funding with opioid settlement use; $350,000 from reserves to capital outlay) are formal actions taken during the meeting and are recorded in the actions block below.

Context and background

Commissioners said public input and emails pushed them to trim spending and to seek ways to lower the mill levy. Staff noted the county faces an unusual payroll timing issue (an extra pay period) that will create a one-time cost in the coming fiscal year and that the county has an upcoming need to replace election equipment. Safer funding for mental-health services and the timing/strings on opioid-settlement dollars were recurring themes.

Next steps

The commission will finalize budgetary changes in a follow-up meeting; staff must convert the board's decisions into the state's required filing format and deliver final documents to the clerk's office by Oct. 1.

Ending note

Commissioners and staff repeatedly emphasized caution when using one-time reserves to cover recurring expenses, but they approved a package of adjustments that county leaders said keeps the budget responsive to public concerns about the mill levy while setting aside one-time funds for capital needs.","Commissioners approved several targeted changes to the proposed 2026 budget on Sept. 15, trimming Parks and Recreation, setting Vallejo funding at $3 million with $170,000 from opioid-settlement funds, and authorizing $350,000 from reserves for capital outlay. Final adoption was postponed to a future meeting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Public works awards winter-material contracts; KDOT increases funding for safety work at NW 40th and Rossville/Carlson

Commissioners approve $1.72 million contract to add four courts at Casa—over Tennis Center

Shawnee County commissioners cut parks spending, reduce mental-health request and allocate reserves as 2026 budget talks continue