Geary County approves multiple public-works contracts and small capital purchases; CIP amendment sought for exterior painting

Jeremy Myers, Geary County public works administrator, presented a slate of facility and public-works items and asked commissioners to approve contracts and purchases for the coming year.

Commissioners approved annual preventive-maintenance contracts with TCA for courthouse and county buildings covering the period June 1, 2025, through May 30, 2026. Myers said the Cloud County Community College contract increased by $1,068 because Building D had not been included previously; added sites for the sheriff's office and substations carry incremental costs that together increase the contract package by about $2,666.

The commission also approved replacing one of two HVAC units serving the sheriff's administrative area. Myers listed the replacement estimate at $9,833 and said facility funds would be used. He recommended replacement rather than repeated repairs because the unit is original to an earlier remodel and currently down.

Rand Pest Control's proposal to spot-treat termites in the county office building and install bait stations was approved. Myers said the installation cost is $2,640 with a $385 annual maintenance fee; he recommended adding the building to the county's existing pest-control contract.

For two failing corrugated metal culverts on Skidi Road, Myers presented two bids: Oldcastle (Topeka) for $7,035 and McKesson Concrete for $9,254.12. He recommended purchasing both culverts from Oldcastle and combining deliveries to save on shipping ($600 one-load delivery), and the commission approved the purchase to be charged to the road and bridge culvert line.

Emergency management's exterior-painting bids for a CIP-funded project were reviewed. Riley Construction was the lowest responsive bidder at $16,342, above the CIP allocation of $15,000; commissioners approved a CIP amendment of $1,342 to award the project to Riley. Myers said the formal amendment paperwork will be brought forward by the county finance office.

Myers presented a vendor quote for a camera and electronic door-entry system for GIS and the sanitary office: equipment and installation at $7,894.08 and a monthly service fee of $185 over a 60-month term. He proposed soliciting additional quotes to try to lower the cost.

Myers also updated the commission on Kansas Falls mitigation work after a June flooding event last year and said FEMA mitigation funds could help. He advised that environmental requirements make low-water crossings more complicated and said FEMA mitigation might cover up to $200,000 for fixing the site, subject to confirmation and further study.

Myers closed with routine public-works updates: progress on chip-seal hauling, right-of-way mowing schedules, culvert and culvert-installation activity, sign placement for annex parking, and staffing levels (29 employees, four vacancies). Commissioners approved the presented contracts and purchases.