Shawnee County commissioners approve $3.67 million in vouchers, renew multiple contracts and cancel two work sessions

TOPEKA, Kan. — The Shawnee County Board of County Commissioners on Oct. 6 approved vouchers totaling $3,667,515.46 and a series of contract actions and administrative items, including a six‑month lease extension for the treasurer’s motor vehicle annex and a renewal of the county’s public notification service.

The vouchers approved at the meeting included line items listed in the meeting record as $550,946.82 in "CAPER's contributions," $368,384.05 for health insurance contributions, $260,936 to social agencies, $164,654.29 to Meridian Roofing for courthouse work, and a payment of $986,031.58 to JADO. The board approved the voucher report by voice vote; the motion passed 2‑0 at the time it was called.

The board also approved a resolution (Resolution No. 2025‑77) authorizing a 2026 cereal malt beverage license for Forbes Golf Course, located at 700 Southwest Cape Park Road in Topeka; approved an addendum to an existing CanPay agreement to expand payment services countywide; and approved a three‑year auto‑renewable renewal of the CodeRED mass notification system used jointly with the Topeka Police Department, recorded in the meeting as a $23,221.43 cost to be paid from budgeted funds.

Commissioners approved an amendment to the county’s lease with Beverly Bernardi Post for the Treasurer’s motor vehicle annex at 5938 Southwest 17th, extending the lease for six months from Jan. 1, 2026, through June 30, 2026, at a cost of $25,149. Treasurer Susan Duffy told commissioners the landlord had performed minor patching to the small parking lot earlier in the year but that no recent repairs were included in the extension.

The court administration’s annual subscription renewal for VMware (contract C375‑2025 with SHI International Corporation) was approved for $17,408.64 and listed as funded from the 2025 court administration budget. Information Technology staff presented an addendum to a 2016 CanPay contract (C225‑2016) that converts a solid‑waste implementation into a countywide payment service; Mark Price of Information Technology said the addendum "changes it from being solid waste to Shawnee County" and allows additional departments to be added in the future.

All of the above motions were approved by voice votes during the meeting. Some items recorded 2‑0 tallies (Commissioners Aaron Mays and Kevin Cook voting in favor while Commissioner Bill Rippon was absent); later items, including the treasurer’s lease extension and the VMware renewal, were recorded as passing 3‑0 after Rippon returned.

Administrative communications and notices took place after business items. Angela Lewis, director of administrative services, outlined the county’s annual enrollment schedule and dates for benefits meetings across county locations. Jake Fisher of the Shawnee County Elections Office reminded residents that the voter registration deadline is one week from the date of the meeting. Lee Welch, court administrator for the Third Judicial District, announced a county flu and COVID vaccine clinic and a Nov. 3 grand opening for a courthouse self‑help center.

Parks and Recreation staff announced community events at Lake Shawnee, including the Smoke on the Water barbecue contest and the Tails and Ales event at the Bark Park. Amanda Monholland of the commission office announced the winners of an internal doorstep scavenger-hunt fundraiser and noted the courthouse would be lit in pink for the start of the county’s ‘‘pink week’’ observance.

The board voted to cancel two scheduled work sessions — Oct. 16 and Nov. 20 — citing scheduling conflicts; that motion passed by voice vote. The board indicated no executive session was needed and adjourned.

Votes at a glance (as recorded in the meeting): - Consent agenda: approved (motion by Commissioner Aaron Mays; second Commissioner Kevin Cook). Vote recorded 2‑0. - Voucher payments totaling $3,667,515.46: approved (motion recorded; voice vote). Vote recorded 2‑0. - Correction orders: approved (motion by Mays; second Cook). Vote recorded 2‑0. - Resolution 2025‑77 (2026 cereal malt beverage license, Forbes Golf Course): approved (motion by Mays; second Cook). Vote recorded 2‑0. - Contract C378‑2025 (addendum to C225‑2016, CanPay payment services): approved (motion by Cook; second Mays). Vote recorded 2‑0. - Contract C373‑2025 (amendment to C223‑2024, Beverly Bernardi Post lease extension for Treasurer’s annex): approved (motion by Mays; second Cook). Vote recorded 3‑0. - Contract C375‑2025 (SHI International Corporation, VMware subscription, 10/07/2025–10/06/2026): approved (motion by Mays; second Cook). Vote recorded 3‑0. - Contract C376‑2025 (renewal of CodeRED services with Topeka Police Department): acknowledged and approved (motion by Mays; second Cook). Vote recorded 3‑0. - Cancellation of Oct. 16 and Nov. 20 work sessions: approved (motion by Mays; second Cook). Vote recorded 2‑0.

Several items included brief staff remarks or clarifications recorded in the meeting (for example, that the treasurer’s annex parking lot had only minor earlier patching and that additional county departments may be added to the CanPay implementation). No executive session was requested or held.

The board adjourned after completing the agenda.