Atchison County sets Sept. 16 budget hearing, outlines public‑comment rules and remote-access test

Atchison County commissioners on Aug. 26 scheduled a formal budget hearing for Sept. 16 at 10:15 a.m. and discussed how to handle public comment, remote access and notice requirements ahead of the R&R (rate-and-record) hearing.

County Clerk Susan Kerrigan told the commission the R&R hearing deadline is Sept. 20 and that the county must advertise a separate budget hearing in the newspaper at least 10 days before it. “There is a deadline for the R&R hearing, which is September 20,” Kerrigan said. She also noted that the county must submit its budget to the clerk by Oct. 1 and recommended holding the formal budget hearing by Sept. 20 to keep the schedule manageable.

Why it matters: The R&R and budget hearings set the county’s taxing authority and final numbers for the coming year. Commissioners said they want public input but also need to keep the meetings moving if a large crowd attends.

Commissioners and staff discussed logistics for a likely large turnout at the R&R hearing. The county considered a livestream option (Facebook Live) or Zoom but staff warned that Memorial Hall — where the hearing will be held — does not currently have the camera and integration hardware needed. Kerrigan said the county’s IT director told her the equipment that would reliably capture audio and video for the meeting could cost more than $600. Commissioners agreed to pursue a test run before the hearing and to announce at the start of the meeting whether the session would be live-streamed or recorded.

Commissioners emphasized setting expectations for public comment. The board agreed to encourage speakers to keep remarks to two to three minutes, to ask speakers to state a name and contact information at the podium, and to consider a sign‑in sheet at the door so speakers can be queued. The commission agreed it would not monitor or respond to Facebook comments in real time. Commissioners also said they may permit brief back-and-forth on substantive questions but that extended exchanges should not delay the meeting’s progress.

Several practical notes emerged during the discussion: - The county clerk will prepare and run the legal advertisement for the budget hearing after the board confirms date and time. Kerrigan said she will file the notice once the board decides the hearing date and time. - If the county tests a livestream, staff will confirm whether Memorial Hall’s sound system can be integrated with the livestream and will run a technical test in advance. - The board discussed using a sign-in sheet and having staff at an entry table to help queue speakers and collect contact information to ensure follow-up if answers require more research.

Votes at a glance - Approval of the agenda: passed (unanimous). The commission opened the meeting, asked for additions and approved the day’s agenda by voice vote. - Consent agenda (includes Aug. 19 minutes and finance director report, payroll and accounts payable items): approved unanimously. Finance director figures reported payroll checks dated Aug. 29 for $195,009.72 and AP checks dated Aug. 27 for $92,007.35. - Memorial Hall lease agreement (see separate listing below and in Votes section): approved unanimously.

What’s next: The board confirmed Sept. 16 at 10:15 a.m. as the targeted date for the formal budget hearing and agreed that the R&R hearing scheduled for this meeting would be kept separate from adoption of the final budget. The clerk and finance director will publish required notices and pursue a livestream test prior to the hearing.