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Geary County commissioners approve employee handbook revisions, elevator repair, property sale and speed-limit change
Summary
The Geary County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 24 approved updates to the county employee handbook, authorized replacement of an inoperable courthouse jail-elevator control board, accepted a $500 sealed bid to buy 1042 Grant Avenue and adopted a resolution lowering the posted speed limit on a county-maintained stretch of U.S. 40.
The Geary County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 24 approved multiple routine and time-sensitive measures, including a set of revisions to the county employee handbook, replacement of an inoperable electronic control board on the courthouse jail elevator, the sale of 1042 Grant Avenue by sealed bid, and a resolution to lower the speed limit on a county-maintained stretch of U.S. 40.
Why it matters: The actions restore or maintain county services (elevator repair), return an unused parcel to private ownership and the tax rolls (sale of 1042 Grant Ave.), and change traffic rules on a county road segment that officials said includes sight-line issues. The handbook revisions complete an internal policy update that county staff said will be posted and distributed to employees.
Key actions and details
- Employee handbook revisions: Commissioners approved the revised policy manual, including an added acknowledgment form requiring employees to confirm receipt and understanding within 30 days. Finance and HR staff said the updated manual will be uploaded to the county website and printed for departments. (Motion approved; mover/second not specified in the transcript.)
- Courthouse jail elevator control board: County public works presented two options after the jail elevator failed Sept. 22: a rebuild shipped to the vendor (quoted at $5,367 with a 6–8 week lead time) or purchase of a new replacement board (quoted at $11,604). The commission approved buying the new board so repairs could proceed promptly; staff said the cost will come from the facilities fund. (Motion approved; mover/second not specified in the transcript.)
- Sale of 1042 Grant Avenue: The commission held a public hearing after receiving a sealed bid of $500 from Bradley and Jade White for a property that had previously been offered at tax sale and later again by sealed bid. The Whites, who own adjacent property, told commissioners they intend to demolish the vacant building and clean up the lot. The commission approved accepting the bid and instructed staff to obtain the court order necessary to effectuate the sale under the prior tax-sale procedure; the buyers will provide a statutory affidavit required by county practice. (Motion approved; mover/second not specified in the transcript.)
- Speed limit reduction on U.S. 40: The board adopted a resolution lowering the posted speed limit from 55 to 40 miles per hour on a county-maintained segment of U.S. 40 described in the resolution (around Britt Road to just past Taylor Road toward the Spring Valley city limit). Staff said the change addresses a hill and limited sight lines. The resolution takes effect after publication and erecting new signs. (Resolution approved; mover/second not specified in the transcript.)
- Appropriations and letters of support: Finance staff presented appropriation agreement forms for Big Lakes ($90,000 for the year) and Pawnee ($210,000 for the year); the commission signed documents for the record so the agencies can show the county’s appropriation. Commissioners also approved sending letters of support for Milford’s applications for two water-related grants and for the Deer Camp Food Pantry to retain tax-exempt status. Staff said the Big Lakes and Pawnee payments will be split half in January and half in July per usual county practice.
What commissioners and staff said: County staff emphasized the urgency of the elevator repair for safety and the desire to finalize the updated employee handbook and make copies available. During the property-sale public hearing the Whites described ongoing maintenance to the lot and their plan to demolish the derelict structure. Public-safety and road staff described a sight-line hazard on U.S. 40 that prompted the speed-limit change.
Next steps: Staff will publish the speed-limit resolution and install signage, pursue the court order and sheriff’s deed procedure to complete the 1042 Grant sale, post the revised handbook and distribute acknowledgments, and proceed with ordering and installing the elevator board.
