Platte County Commission approves vendor portal, equipment lease, legal contract and trail encroachment

Platte County Commission on Monday, March 3, 2025, voted unanimously to approve four business items: a change order to the county’s accounting software for a vendor self-service module, a four-year lease for a copier/printer/scanner, a contract for outside legal services to respond to a complaint before the Human Rights Commission, and an encroachment agreement with Evergy for the Brush Creek Trail’s Thousand Oaks connector.

The actions, taken at the commission’s regular meeting that began at 10 a.m., were routine approvals presented by county staff and passed on voice roll calls recorded as 3-0.

Kevin Robinson, Platte County auditor, described a change order to the county’s contract with Tyler Technologies that would add a vendor self-service module to the county’s accounting system. Robinson said the module allows vendors to register and maintain their own banking and contact information and shortens a current manual verification process that takes about two weeks.

Robinson said the recurring cost is $5,700 per year and there is a one-time setup fee of $7,200; he added the county has some implementation hours remaining under the existing contract and there is a chance the county would not incur the $7,200 setup fee. He requested approval of item 2025CO019, a change order to the accounting software service agreement. A motion to approve passed 3-0.

Becky Dye of the Platte County collector’s office presented action item 2025CO016, a lease and maintenance agreement between Platte County and Rico USA Incorporated for a new printer/scanner/copier used to produce statements and receipts. Dye said the lease includes toner and repairs. She reported the estimated total cost over four years is $22,049.76 and the annual cost is $5,005.12. Dye said the lease had been reviewed by county counselor Rob Redman and that funds were certified by Auditor Kevin Robinson. The commission approved the lease 3-0.

County administrator Wes Minder presented item 2025CO018, a proposed contract with a private law firm identified in the meeting as “Ensign Jester” (the transcript also referred to the firm as “Inns and Jester”) to respond to an employment-law complaint pending before the Human Rights Commission. Minder said the county’s usual public-risk counsel typically engages when a matter goes to court; because this complaint is before the Human Rights Commission, the county is arranging outside counsel to prepare responses and provide advice. The commission voted 3-0 to authorize the contract.

Parks and recreation director Daniel Erickson described business action item 2025CO017, an encroachment agreement between Platte County and Evergy Inc. related to the Brush Creek Trail’s Thousand Oaks connector. Erickson said parts of the connector cross in and out of an Evergy power-line easement; the agreement would allow the county to establish the trail in those areas. He said there are no fees associated with the agreement and staff recommended approval. The commission approved the encroachment agreement 3-0.

Votes at a glance

- 2025CO019 — Change order to accounting software agreement (Tyler Technologies): Motion to approve by an unnamed commissioner; second by an unnamed commissioner; roll-call vote recorded 3-0; outcome: approved. Recurring cost noted $5,700/year; one-time setup $7,200 (may not be incurred).

- 2025CO016 — Lease and maintenance agreement with Rico USA Incorporated (collector’s office): Motion to approve by an unnamed commissioner; second by an unnamed commissioner; roll-call vote recorded 3-0; outcome: approved. Four-year total $22,049.76; annual cost $5,005.12; county counselor approved; funds certified by auditor.

- 2025CO018 — Contract for outside legal services (respond to Human Rights Commission complaint): Motion to approve by an unnamed commissioner; second by an unnamed commissioner; roll-call vote recorded 3-0; outcome: approved. Contracting firm identified in the meeting as “Ensign Jester” (transcript also used “Inns and Jester”); no contract amount specified in the meeting record.

- 2025CO017 — Encroachment agreement with Evergy Inc. for Brush Creek/Thousand Oaks trail connector: Motion to approve by an unnamed commissioner; second by an unnamed commissioner; roll-call vote recorded 3-0; outcome: approved. No fees associated.

The meeting record shows minimal debate on the items; staff presenters summarized the proposals and commissioners approved them on roll-call votes. The meeting adjourned at about 10:07 a.m.