Coffey County commissioners press state agency after residents complain of odor, dust from A1 Pumping operations

Eldon Thomas, a Coffey County resident who said his property borders an A1 Pumping spreading site, told the Board of County Commissioners on Monday that the operation has become a persistent nuisance and urged the county to intervene.

"I don't see any upside at all," Thomas said, describing heavy odors and dust that he said can permeate his home. He told commissioners his address as 91120 Fourth Road and said trucks and spreader activity have increased recently.

The commission moved into an attorney‑client executive session and then returned with direction for county counsel. Wade Buie, Coffey County counsel, summarized the outcome: "I am going to put together a letter on behalf of the Board of County Commissioners. I will sign it and send it to KDHE and other entities I feel are appropriate to explain the urgency of the situation here in Coffey County ... and then from there, for me to look into and see what other legal avenues are available for the county to potentially pursue."

Thomas told the commission he had contacted the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and that a KDHE representative visited the site but that he was not satisfied with the state response. He said some shipments appear to come from out of state and criticized an agricultural exemption used to authorize the operation.

Commissioners said staff and county legal counsel will pursue immediate correspondence with KDHE and other appropriate state officials and will research potential legal steps the county could take, including whether state or local enforcement action is available to abate a nuisance.

No ordinance or new county rule was adopted at the meeting; the recorded action was the board's direction to counsel to draft and send correspondence and to report back on legal options.

Residents who raised the complaint asked the commission to seek temporary measures to halt spreading while agencies complete any regulatory review; county counsel said he will investigate options and return with recommendations.

The discussion followed public testimony and a closed deliberation in executive session; commissioners said they want to accelerate communications with KDHE and state representatives about the complaints and to consider additional county-level remedies if the state response is insufficient.

The commission did not announce litigation or other specific enforcement actions at the meeting; counsel was directed to prepare correspondence and advise the board on next steps.