County elections early voting, hotel talks and staff anniversaries noted during Shawnee County administrative communications

During administrative communications at the July 21 Shawnee County Board of County Commissioners meeting, county elections staff reminded the public that early voting had started and commissioners addressed local reporting about a hotel contract and upcoming staff events.

Jake Fisher of County Elections told commissioners early voting began that day with times set for 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday for the next two weeks and 8 a.m. to noon on the Monday before election day. Fisher said voters living inside city limits should expect city contests (including mayoral and district races where applicable) on their ballots.

Commissioner Kevin Cook addressed local media inquiries concerning a contract between the City of Topeka and the Endeavor Hotel. Cook said Shawnee County had not participated in or been asked to join any contract negotiations between the city and the hotel. He told the public the county had not been included in those discussions and said the county remains committed to renovating the Manor Conference Center at some point; he said the county had delayed renovation work until it understood the future of any hotel partnership because the hotel and conference center have often been linked in past arrangements.

A final administrative note: commissioners reminded the public that a Thursday work session would honor county employees’ anniversaries and retirements.

The items were informational; no formal actions were taken on the matters reported in administrative communications.