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County weighs $214,760 parking lot and moves to recruit fleet mechanic; commissioners debate using existing lot and in-house work
Summary
Commissioners reviewed a Kaw Valley Engineering estimate to add 27 parking spaces for $214,760 at the old county-attorney site and discussed using existing parking across the street or doing in-house clearing to lower costs. County administration also received approval to advertise to fill a mechanic position by converting a spray-operator role.
Commissioners reviewed a vendor estimate and staffing request during the July 3 meeting that could affect the county budget and operations: an estimated $214,760 for a 27-space parking lot and authorization to advertise to fill a public-works mechanic position.
County staff presented an estimate from Kaw Valley Engineering for a parking expansion on the southeast corner where the former county attorney's building stood; the proposal included reconstructing an ingress/egress onto First Street and adding 27 spaces at an estimated cost of $214,760. Commissioners questioned whether the county should instead require employees to use an existing county-owned lot across the street and noted maintenance, dust control, and parking behavior concerns. Some commissioners suggested in-house site clearing and tree removal could reduce contractor costs; staff acknowledged some preparatory tasks might be done by county crews and said final decisions should await budget review.
The commission did not approve construction work at the meeting but directed administrator staff to check budget availability and to confirm site-preparation possibilities with public-works leadership.
Separately, County Administrator Janelle Dockendorf described workforce restructuring in Public Works following a departmental consolidation. Dockendorf requested authority to advertise for and fill a mechanic position, noting the county is not adding headcount but intends to reclassify a spray-operator position into a mechanic role to maintain fleet capacity and succession planning. "We are not adding a staff person. We're just filling the staff person," Dockendorf said. Commissioners gave verbal approval to begin recruitment and to proceed with internal conversations about succession and roles.
No contract awards or construction authorizations were voted at the meeting; commissioners said they will consider the parking-lot estimate during the next budget cycle and asked staff to provide follow-up cost scenarios, including a lower-cost gravel or phased approach and any in-house prep savings.
