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Geary County commissioners approve repairs, bridge application and software purchase in public works report
Summary
The commission approved a $7,248 detention door and lock repair, authorized staff to submit an off‑system bridge funding form to KDOT, and approved a $5,300 software purchase and $600 annual fee for a noxious weed program; staff also reported staffing and maintenance updates.
Public Works Administrator Jeremy Myers told the Geary County Board of County Commissioners about a set of maintenance needs and funding opportunities and won approval for several items the department raised.
Myers said the county received a Willow proposal to repair two detention doors and five locks for the sheriff's office at a cost of $7,248 and recommended using the facilities fund. A motion to approve the recommendation was moved, seconded and approved on voice vote.
Myers reported that the county was not selected for KDOT's Kansas Local Bridge Improvement Fund for FY2026 but that it was selected for KDOT's off‑system bridge program for FY2027 for the McNeil Road bridge. He said the county’s maximum award for the off‑system bridge is $800,000 for construction and inspection and that the county requested $736,776; the county will be responsible for any costs above the award and for design, right‑of‑way and utility relocation. The commission approved allowing staff to complete and submit the construction project form to KDOT by the program deadline.
Myers also outlined a proposal to apply to KDOT’s Innovation Technologies program for a pavement management system; he said the program would require a 25% local match and asked the commission for general support to pursue an application that would be returned later for formal approval.
Separately, county staff sought and received commission approval to purchase the STAR software package for the noxious weed program. The commission approved a one‑time purchase totaling about $5,300 (program, bookkeeping module and setup) and an annual fee of $600 beginning in 2026; staff said they can cover the one‑time cost from the remainder of the 2025 budget and expect to have the system in place by Jan. 1, 2026.
Myers reported other operational matters: an estimated $1,800 repair to an extension office retaining wall (the contractor involved has indicated they will file a claim through their insurance), requests for landfill monitor well testing quotes required by KDHE, work on a snow‑removal exchange draft agreement with Riley County, recent hires and reassignments that will fill public works staffing needs, and improvements to fleet management and auction processes. He also described a mower accident with damage under investigation and usage statistics from the household hazardous waste and recycling program (five HHW customers, 18 recycling participants and 20 landfill visitors on the most recent open day).
Myers recommended, and commissioners agreed, to offer old bridge planks on a first‑come first‑served basis at $5 each to recover disposal costs. He said crews are more than halfway through bridge repairs at Old Katy and that weather could affect work.
Commissioners asked for continued coordination with finance on matching grants and project design and thanked Myers for the report.
