During agenda review for the July 31, 2025, business session, commissioners moved a contract authorization to the consent agenda that would replace a 39-year-old underground diesel storage tank at the Olathe Adult Detention Center, 101 N. Kansas Ave., Olathe, Kan., with a new above-ground tank at a cost not to exceed $218,485.49.

The project is “a planned and budgeted project to replace the underground storage tank that's 39 years of age,” said Kyle Heldney, facilities management, who presented the item. He told commissioners the tank provides a critical backup supply for the facility’s generator and boilers and that funds for the work were included in the FY2025 capital replacement plan.

Heldney said the county solicited pricing from four contractors under its on-call construction services term-and-supply contract and received three bids; Universal Construction Company submitted the lowest responsive bid. The agenda item referenced RFP number 2021-053. Heldney said the new tank will be installed above ground on the west side of the facility near the secure parking area between the railroad tracks and the detention center to improve maintenance, leak detection and regulatory oversight.

Commissioner Myers asked whether an engineer’s estimate existed before bidding. Heldney said a costing exercise was completed in 2023 and that he could provide the specific figure later: “I don't have that exact dollar figure on, at my fingertips right now, but I can get you that….”

Commissioner Brewer asked what the tanks contained. Heldney responded, “This is a diesel storage tank, once again, that supports the generator and the boilers at the facility.” Commissioner Ashcraft also noted the county conducts inspections of its underground storage facilities and confirmed they are generally in good order.

No additional county funds were requested at the time of the presentation, Heldney said. After brief questions about location and the fuel type, a commissioner said, “We’ll put it on consent then,” and the item was placed on the consent agenda for the forthcoming business session.

Staff indicated they would follow up with the specific engineer estimate from the 2023 costing study when requested.