Cheyenne County commissioners approve service agreement, pay IRS penalty and award $32,000 crack‑sealing contract

The Cheyenne County Commission at a regular meeting approved a series of routine and operational actions, including a services agreement with Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas, payment of an IRS penalty from the general fund and a $32,000 contract for crack sealing on county asphalt roads.

The actions matter because they affect county budgets, maintenance of roads and staffing agreements with outside providers. Commissioners also appointed two members to the county airport board and approved a wage agreement for a deputy clerk, moving routine administration and road maintenance decisions forward.

The commission voted to sign an agreement for services with Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas (DSNWK). The motion to sign the agreement was moved and seconded; the meeting record shows the motion carried following the customary “all in favor” call. The transcript does not name the motion maker or a recorded roll-call vote. The agreement was presented as an executed service contract requiring commissioners’ signatures.

Commissioners approved paying a penalty the Internal Revenue Service assessed for untimely payroll tax filings. The commission moved and seconded a motion to pay an IRS penalty of $4,992.46 out of the county general fund. The commissioners approved the payment by voice vote after the motion was seconded; the transcript indicates the penalty is an unbudgeted expense that will come from the general fund.

The commission also voted to rejoin the Kansas County Commissioners Association (KCCA) for a membership fee of $213.18. That motion was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote.

On staffing, commissioners approved a wage agreement for a deputy clerk identified in the record as Jill (transcript variants: “Jill Swanger” and later “Swaggart”); the transcript shows the motion to approve the wage agreement was moved and seconded and carried by voice vote. The wage agreement was described as the final administrative step after the person had already been hired; the transcript indicates the deputy clerk’s start date was set for the coming Monday.

Appointments to the Cheyenne County Airport Authority were also approved. The commission moved and seconded a motion appointing two individuals listed in the transcript as “Butterskin” (legal given name not specified in the transcript) and Ron Schlittenhart to the airport board; the motion carried on a voice vote.

Roads and maintenance: the commission accepted a written quote from Sweeney Pavement Maintenance to clean and fill cracks on most of the county’s asphalt roads and to supply one pallet of mastic for larger pothole repairs. The accepted bid was $32,000; the motion to accept Sweeney’s quote was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote. The road supervisor reported attempts to secure multiple bids: one contractor was unable to assemble a crew and another was fully booked.

Other operational items and discussion included a presentation and preliminary quote from a web‑design firm that offered to redesign and manage the county website; commissioners discussed costs and options and the clerk said she was exploring additional proposals. The record shows no formal action to hire a web vendor at this meeting.

The county also discussed recent vehicle maintenance issues for heavy equipment. Road staff reported a follow‑up oil analysis showing elevated indicators consistent with antifreeze contamination; staff said they plan to send the vehicle to an authorized repair facility for diagnosis and possible warranty work. Commissioners did not authorize additional repair spending at this meeting but discussed potential worst‑case costs.

Finally, the commission moved into a five‑minute executive session for non‑elected personnel performance discussion; the motion to go into executive session was moved, seconded and approved.

Votes at a glance

- Agreement for services with Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas — motion moved and seconded; approved (voice vote). Contract details: agreement of services; further specifics not specified in the meeting record.

- Payment of IRS penalty — motion moved and seconded to pay $4,992.46 from the general fund; approved (voice vote).

- KCCA membership — motion moved and seconded to join Kansas County Commissioners Association for $213.18; approved (voice vote).

- Airport board appointments — motion moved and seconded to appoint Butterskin and Ron Schlittenhart to the airport board; approved (voice vote).

- Wage agreement for deputy clerk (Jill; transcript variants “Swanger”/“Swaggart”) — motion moved and seconded to approve wage agreement; approved (voice vote). Start date: next Monday (as reported in the meeting).

- Sweeney Pavement Maintenance crack sealing — accepted quote of $32,000 to clean and fill cracks and provide one pallet of mastic; motion moved and seconded; approved (voice vote).

What commissioners said and did not say

The record contains procedural vocal approvals (“All in favor, signify by saying ‘aye’”) but does not include a roll‑call vote or individual tallies for the motions listed above. The transcript does not identify the individual commissioners who moved or seconded each motion by name.

What’s next

The clerk said she will continue to solicit web‑design proposals and follow up on vehicle diagnostic work. Road staff said they will schedule Sweeney’s work and return with further details on any needed equipment purchases (flail mower) at a future meeting.

Ending

The meeting record reflects primarily routine administrative and operational decisions; none of the actions reported at the meeting impose new taxes, change zoning or enact new ordinances. Several items will require follow‑up at future meetings, including website procurement, vehicle repairs and potential equipment purchases.