Shawnee County commissioners approve series of contracts, grants and budget items; set plans for bridge and culvert work

The Shawnee County Board of County Commissioners on Aug. 25 approved a slate of contracts, grant agreements and budget items covering county roads, parks, solid waste technology, jail food services and employee benefits.

The actions, taken in a series of unanimous 3-0 votes, include authorization for the Kansas Department of Transportation to solicit bids for two bridge replacements with KDOT participation, award of a $1,820,642 contract to replace culverts on Southeast Barrington Road, acceptance of a 50/50 Land and Water Conservation Fund grant for two cabins at Lake Shawnee Campground, and an increase to employer and employee health-plan contributions for 2026.

Why it matters: the approvals advance several capital maintenance and safety projects that county staff said are time‑sensitive (bridges and culverts), commit matching funds for a parks grant using user-fee revenue, modernize the solid-waste billing and routing system, and modestly raise county and employee health-plan contributions for next year’s budget.

Votes at a glance:

- Consent agenda: Approved (motion: Commissioner Aaron Mays; second: Commissioner Kevin Cook). Vote 3-0.

- Voucher reports (Aug. 15 and Aug. 22): Approved. Aug. 15 report total cited $4,840,107.41 including payments to Bettis Asphalt and Meridian Roofing Solutions; Aug. 22 report total cited $1,940,466.36 including final payment on the courthouse renovation funded by ARPA/SLFRF. (Motion: Commissioner Bill Rippon; second: Commissioner Kevin Cook). Vote 3-0.

- Correction orders: Approved (Motion: Commissioner Aaron Mays; second: Commissioner Kevin Cook). Vote 3-0.

- Approve project budget and authorize KDOT to solicit construction bids for two bridge replacements (Northwest Valencia Road over Silver Lake drainage ditch and a tributary): Approved. County staff said KDOT will pay up to $500,000 per participating structure and the county will pay the remainder. (Motion: Commissioner Aaron Mays; second: Commissioner Bill Rippon). Vote 3-0.

- Contract C310-2025 with SBB Engineering LLC for construction engineering on a developer-funded earthwork and storm-sewer project in Timber Ridge…