Atchison County approves multiple lease payments, equipment finance POs and $41,325 engineering PO for Ottawa Road

The Atchison County Commission on Jan. 28 approved a series of purchase orders and lease-purchase payments covering vehicles and heavy equipment and authorized an engineering purchase order for Ottawa Road.

Finance Director Mark Zeltner presented four lease payment purchase orders related to county vehicle and equipment financing. The board unanimously approved the payments presented to Exchange Bank and First Option Bank for scheduled lease/loan payments. Zeltner said the county’s 2025 lease payments total roughly $175,000 and that bond payments for 2025 will be about $565,700, creating a total debt service estimate near $740,800 for the year.

Separately, Joe Snyder, Road and Bridge superintendent, requested and the commission approved a purchase order to Schwab-Eaton Engineering in the amount of $41,325 to come from the county’s Special Highway fund for work on Ottawa Road. Snyder said the PO is part of funds set aside last year for Phase 1 of Ottawa Road work.

Why it matters: The votes authorize near-term cash outflows for debt service and contract work that are already budgeted in Road & Bridge and special highway accounts; Zeltner told the commission the county will see bond payments in April and that those payments and lease schedules will affect future budgeting and capital planning.

What commissioners and staff said: Zeltner walked the commission through remaining loan balances and payment numbers, noting bonds will fall off in 2028 and 2029. He also presented a debt-tracking sheet meant to inform future capital-improvement planning. No commissioner opposed any purchase order; all motions passed 3 to 0.

Ending: The commission approved the POs and continued with regular agenda business.