Riley County commissioners approve equipment purchase, personnel hires and a transportation grant application

Riley County commissioners on March 27 approved a set of routine but consequential actions: the purchase of a hydraulic dovetail trailer for county operations, authorization to apply for a Kansas Department of Transportation (KDA) cost-share grant for a local road project, approval of a pay rate above the usual mid-range for a building maintenance hire and authorization to fill one full-time and two PRN paramedic positions in county EMS.

Those votes, taken during the regular commission meeting in the County Commission Chamber, bundle several personnel, procurement and grant decisions that county staff said are needed to maintain services and advance ongoing public‑works projects.

Public works director John Alderman told the commission the KDA cost-share program supports transportation projects that improve safety and access and that the county intended to apply for the Wigler Mills Bridal project; he said the application deadline was the day of the meeting. “This is a cost share program…we are asking to apply,” Alderman said. He described a likely 60/40 county/state match and noted the program is competitive.

On procurement, the commission approved the purchase of a hydraulic dovetail trailer from Hoyt Trailer Center for $41,600. The motion to buy the trailer was moved and seconded during the business portion of the meeting and approved by the commissioners.

On staffing, the commission approved hiring a building maintenance technician at a pay rate of $28.49 per hour, a rate above the department’s standard mid-range but within the budget for the position. County staff said the higher rate reflects the candidate’s experience and certifications; as Alderman explained, the candidate would be placed on the 15‑year step of the pay scale. The commission also authorized advertising to fill one budgeted full‑time paramedic position and two PRN (as‑needed) paramedic slots in Riley County EMS. David Adams, an EMS instructor, said the openings are budgeted and that failing to fill the seats can force the department to reduce ambulance coverage. “If we can’t fill this position, then we rely on the PRN best we can; then it becomes…unscheduled,” Adams said.

All motions presented at the meeting passed with unanimous support from the three commissioners. Commissioners also approved routine items including the March 24 meeting minutes and the trailer bid acceptance.

The meeting included several executive‑session recesses for personnel matters; the county recorded that no binding action occurred during the closed sessions and later said any actions to be taken would be consistent with the consensus reached in executive session.

Votes at a glance: the trailer purchase from Hoyt Trailer Center, $41,600 — approved; authorization to apply for the KDA cost‑share program for the Wigler Mills Bridal project — approved; hire/pay rate for building maintenance technician at $28.49/hr — approved; authorize recruitment to fill one full‑time paramedic and two PRN paramedic positions — approved; approval of March 24 minutes — approved.

Meeting participants flagged that the KDA grant program is highly competitive and that the county would not know award results immediately; the building hire and EMS recruitment were described as within existing budgeted positions. The commission adjourned after the business and recorded that subsequent action would follow the direction provided in executive session when applicable.