Atchison County approves $500,000 reserve transfer, BG Consultants purchase order and tax‑statement relief resolution

Atchison County commissioners on July 22 voted to move $500,000 from the county reserve fund to cover shortfalls in two operating funds, approved a purchase order to BG Consultants for architectural and engineering work on a Road & Bridge facility and adopted a resolution directing the treasurer to waive interest and penalties for taxpayers who missed 2024 tax deadlines because the county failed to process recorded deeds in time.

The transfers are intended to correct negative cash balances in the county’s solid waste and joint communications/dispatch funds and to avoid the county appearing out of compliance with state guidance. Finance Director Mark Seltner told commissioners the county’s reserve account holds about $550,000 and that the immediate shortfall across affected funds is roughly $420,000.

“We make a transfer of 500,000: 200,000 to fund 202, which is solid waste because we are negative 167,000, and 300,000 to fund 205, which is joint communications and dispatch, they are negative 253,000,” Seltner said in presenting the plan.

The commission voted 3–0 to approve the transfer. Commissioners said the move is a short‑term cash‑management step; staff will report monthly and the commission directed department heads to begin budget discussions to prevent repeat shortfalls.

Purchase order for BG Consultants

Commissioners approved a purchase order to BG Consultants for architectural and engineering services tied to the Road & Bridge facility project. Seltner said BG Consultants worked during June and had reached roughly 25 percent completion on drawing development; an invoice dated July 1 was described in the meeting as $13,006.80. During the motion the amount approved was recorded by the clerk as $13,680.

“The invoice is for $13,006.80. The remaining contract balance is $41,003.04. We have already paid $7,816,” Seltner said.

The motion to approve the purchase order passed 2–1. The meeting minutes as read did not name which commissioner voted no.

Tax‑statement clerical‑error resolution

County Counselor (Mister Henderson) presented a resolution (filed as Resolution 2025‑1553) that directs the county treasurer to waive interest and penalties on 2024 real estate taxes that were unpaid because the county failed to process recorded deeds in time and tax statements were mailed to prior owners. The resolution cites K.S.A. 79‑17o1(a), sets December 31, 2025, as the payment deadline to qualify for relief and allows taxpayers who already paid interest to pursue a refund through the Board of Tax Appeals.

The commission approved the resolution 3–0. Henderson asked that the treasurer post the eligibility form and instructions on the county website so affected taxpayers can apply.

Other actions

- The commission adopted a proclamation recognizing July 20, 2025, as pretrial, probation and parole supervision week (3–0). - The commission voted to submit two illegal‑dump program request forms for properties on the county’s nuisance list (addresses recorded in the minutes) so KDHE staff can begin outreach (3–0). - The commission approved routine agenda and consent items, and recessed later for a tour and an executive session on non‑elected personnel.

Why it matters

The reserve transfer prevents the county funds from showing negative balances while staff works through year‑end sales‑tax receipts and departmental budget adjustments. The BG Consultants approval keeps the Road & Bridge facility design on schedule. The clerical‑error resolution offers relief to property owners who missed payment deadlines through no fault of their own and directs the treasurer to publish an application process.

What’s next

County staff will report monthly on sales‑tax receipts and fund balances. The finance director and department heads will meet in budget workshops to identify expenditure reductions and revenue options for the 2026 budget cycle.

Ending

Commissioners recorded votes on each motion; all passed by recorded tallies in the public minutes. Staff will return with updated cash balances at the beginning of each month and the county will post guidance for taxpayers about the clerical‑error relief on the county website.