Commission approves road maintenance contracts, equipment purchases and Maxwell park MOU with state

Public Works Director David Mauling and maintenance foreman Mike Evans presented a package of procurement requests and a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks for work at Maxwell.

The commission awarded this spring’s bids for road‑marking materials and accessories. The board approved awarding the combined white and yellow striping paint contract to Allstate Coatings for a total of $52,800 and the traffic beads contract to CraftCo for $57,800. A commissioner moved the award and the motion carried.

Mauling also asked to sign a memorandum of understanding with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks for maintenance work at Maxwell. The county agreed to spend up to $50,000; Parks and Wildlife will contribute up to 50 percent of eligible costs (up to $25,000). The commission approved signing the MOU as presented.

The commission approved several equipment purchases recommended by public works staff: a Ram 5500 crew truck from Midway Motors not to exceed $69,718; a Case Maxxum 150 tractor (motion recorded with a not‑to‑exceed figure of $140,000; a figure of $146,008 was referenced in discussion) to support mowing operations; and a Land Pride batwing mower not to exceed $25,459. Commissioners voted to approve each purchase by motion.

Staff said the striping quantities were similar to last year and that prices had eased as supply constraints eased. Mauling reported the Maxwell work is nearly complete except for topsoil and seed, and the MOU adds contractual language and clarifies right‑of‑way cooperation with Parks and Wildlife.

All procurement motions passed with the standard recorded “aye” votes; specific roll‑call tallies were not recorded in the minutes beyond the vote being carried.