Osage County commissioners approve permits, hires, contracts and budget items

The Osage County Commission on Aug. 19 approved a series of routine and programmatic actions including two conditional use permits, personnel changes, a consultant contract to pursue federal bridge grant funding, tax-roll corrections and payment of county bills.

Commissioner Smith moved to approve Resolution Z-25-Z03, granting a conditional use permit to establish a second residence on a property in unincorporated Osage County; the motion was seconded and the commission voted to approve it. The commission later approved Resolution Z-25-Z02, granting a conditional use permit to establish an additional lodge on another county property.

The board approved several personnel actions. The commission accepted the resignation of Megan Masladel, effective Aug. 21, 2025. It also approved hiring Quinn Tucker as a full-time corrections officer (12-hour shifts) at a pay rate of $21.13 per hour, effective Sept. 2, 2025. Later in the meeting the board approved a personnel payroll action promoting Savannah to deputy appraiser/NRP with a pay increase to $20.00 per hour, effective Sept. 1, 2025.

The commission approved issuance or renewal of a cereal malt beverage license to AVA Meat Processing. It also approved a consultant agreement with Blue Valley Consultant LLC to pursue a grant for bridge projects in partnership with Chase County, with Osage County's maximum contribution set at $15,000 to be paid from Road and Bridge funds at the discretion of Director Ryan Fine. The board authorized Economic Development Director Colleen Mendoza to sign the consultant agreement on behalf of Osage County.

The board approved tax-roll corrections for tax years 2020 through 2024 and approved the county bills for Aug. 19, 2025 in the amount of $170,807.08. The commission separately approved paying Gunlock Electric LLC $3,816.56 for an already-processed purchase order.

All motions recorded in the meeting were passed by voice vote; no roll-call tallies with member names were recorded in the transcript. No formal appeals or recorded dissents were entered on the motions noted above.

The meeting included several informational items and executive-session discussions for non-elected personnel; the executive sessions produced no action at the time and several items were postponed to a future meeting so absent commissioners could participate.

Commissioners and staff who made or were repeatedly referenced in motions during this portion of the meeting included Commissioner Smith, Commissioner Tudor and Commissioner Cooter; Clerk Michelle Morris; Land Development Director Trisha Webb; Appraiser Michelle Rooks; Road and Bridge Director Ryan Fine; and Economic Development Director Colleen Mendoza.

Votes at a glance: Z-25-Z03 (conditional use permit — second residence): approved; Z-25-Z02 (conditional use permit — additional lodge): approved; Resignation of Megan Masladel (effective 08/21/2025): accepted; Hiring of Quinn Tucker (corrections, FT, 12-hour shifts, $21.13/hr, effective 09/02/2025): approved; Payroll action for Savannah to deputy appraiser/NRP ($20/hr, effective 09/01/2025): approved; CMB license for AVA Meat Processing: approved; Consultant agreement with Blue Valley Consultant LLC (Osage County portion not to exceed $15,000 from Road & Bridge): approved; Authorization for Colleen Mendoza to sign contract: approved; Tax-roll corrections (2020–2024): approved; Bills for 08/19/2025 ($170,807.08): approved; Payment to Gunlock Electric LLC ($3,816.56): approved.

The commission adjourned following the approved business and scheduled follow-ups for items that required more detail or participation by absent members.