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Atchison County commission debates repair plan, cost-sharing for county bridge serving one property
Summary
County commissioners, a landowner representative and the county counselor debated whether to rebuild Bridge 29.8‑C‑5 or install culverts, and whether the county or the landowner should share costs or accept responsibility if the structure is removed from the county inventory.
Atchison County commissioners and lawyers for the Fung family discussed options for Bridge 29.8‑C‑5 on June 24, focusing on whether to replace the wooden structure with a like‑kind bridge or to install culverts and how costs and long‑term ownership would be allocated.
The discussion centered on both legal obligations and practical tradeoffs. Mike Koppelman, who said he represents the Fung family and WLF Hills LLC, told the commission the land behind the crossing is nearly 500 acres and “if this bridge is removed, it completely lowers the value of that land. It will be a taking of the constitution.” Koppelman referenced “statute 68‑11‑26” and a 1921 Jefferson County case that he said supports the family’s view that the county has an obligation to proceed with repair or reconstruction.
Pat Henderson, county counselor, told the commission the statute…
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