Seward County commissioners approve 911 console purchase, adopt safety manual and appoint hospital trustees

The Seward County Board of County Commissioners approved several administrative and operational items at its regular meeting, including a $75,000 purchase of a used MCC 7500 dispatch console from the Garden City Police Department paid from 5911 emergency communications funds; adoption of a countywide safety policy; a $10,500 change order for the courthouse remodel’s front curved wall funded by ARPA; and appointments to the Southwest Medical Center Board of Trustees.

The actions affect emergency communications, county facilities and safety practices, road projects under study and hospital governance. Commissioners approved the console purchase after the county’s 9-1-1 team told the board the used unit is compatible with the county’s existing consoles and that a replacement bought later could force the county to replace five positions at an estimated cost well above $75,000. Pamela Johnson, of the county 9-1-1 emergency communications center, told commissioners the negotiated price and expected future parts costs and said the console purchase “would also add $5,500 to our annual SUA with Motorola.” The board approved the purchase by motion and show-of-hands vote; the purchase will be drawn from the county 5911 account (911 funds).

Commissioners also adopted a countywide Seward County Safety Policy prepared in partnership with Iron Horse Insurance and Risk Management Center. Brock Tyner, landfill manager, presented the manual and said the plan and accompanying forms will be implemented first in Road & Bridge, landfill and waste-haul operations, with training and a department-level roll-out to follow. The board asked staff to return six months after adoption with a short implementation update covering training topics, whether forms are being completed and basic record-keeping.

On facilities, the board approved change order No. 7 for the courthouse remodel. The $10,500 change order covers an exterior EIFS/stucco finish for the curved front wall to address paint “crazing.” The amendment will be funded from the county’s ARPA allocation and raises the contract value to the figure presented by staff.

The board completed appointments to the Southwest Medical Center Board of Trustees. After a secret-ballot selection, Dr. Mona Raine received the majority and was appointed to a three-year term beginning April 1, 2025. Ivan Ho Love Jr. and Marlene Reager were appointed to the remaining terms. Commissioners moved and approved the appointments during the meeting.

Roads and materials: Road and Bridge staff and contractor CW Harper updated the board on the Roto/PermaZyme pilot and the next road project (Road P). Staff reported a close-to-final cost estimate for the Roto work of about $453,710.26 and listed major line items (man hours, gravel and caliche tonnage, PermaZyme at $58,002.55 and roughly 63,100 gallons of water used). Commissioners directed staff to have a second vendor (Base 1) test Road P alongside PermaZyme and to return with formal pricing; a motion to proceed with Base 1 testing was made and seconded and staff was asked to re-file the formal motion so the board can record final action.

Other items approved or noted: a temporary cereal-malt-beverage license for an April 5 MMA event at the activity center was approved contingent on the event sponsor paying the increased rental fee; the county approved purchase of three Sharp multifunction printers to replace aging units under Sourcewell pricing, to be paid from the county technology budget; the KDOT cost-share program agreement for the Mead Lake Road HMA overlay (the county application was $1,750,000) was approved — KDOT’s share was described as 57% of construction costs up to the secretary’s funding limit (not to exceed $1,000,000) with the county responsible for the remainder; the airport lease renewal for the sheriff’s office (lease 185.02) was approved for $1,207.13; and Connie Seacrest was appointed to the Council on Aging board (three-year term beginning Jan. 1, 2025).

Administratively, staff said strategic planning will be April 15 and reminded commissioners of upcoming meetings and events. The board received a work‑comp update reporting no new claims since January and adjourned.

Votes at a glance - Purchase: MCC 7500 dispatch console from Garden City Police Department, $75,000, funding source: 5911 (911) account — approved (show of hands). - Safety policy: Seward County Safety Policy adoption — approved (show of hands). Staff directed to return in six months with implementation notes. - Courthouse remodel: Change Order No. 7 (EIFS/stucco on curved front wall), $10,500, funded by ARPA — approved. - Southwest Medical Center trustees: Dr. Mona Raine (three-year term starting April 1, 2025), Ivan Ho Love Jr. and Marlene Reager (remaining terms) — appointment approved by motion and vote; board recorded ballots and made formal motion to appoint. - Temporary CMB license: Landing Brothers Barbecue for MMA event (April 5) contingent on sponsor paying rental fee — approved. - KDOT cost-share agreement: Mead Lake Road HMA overlay; county application $1,750,000; KDOT share up to 57% of construction costs not to exceed $1,000,000 — agreement approved. - Sharp MFP replacements: Purchase of three Sharp multifunction printers from Southern Office under Sourcewell pricing (county technology funds) — approved. - Council on Aging appointment: Connie Seacrest, three-year term Jan. 1, 2025–Dec. 31, 2027 — approved. - Airport lease renewal: Lease 185.02 for sheriff’s office, $1,207.13 — approved.

What’s next: staff will follow up on the PermaZyme/Base 1 testing plan and pricing, the 9-1-1 console integration and parts costs, and return six months after adoption of the safety policy with a brief report on training and form use. The board’s next strategic planning session is scheduled for April 15.

Ending: The meeting included public comment on activity-center fees and several routine consent items; no executive session was held. The board adjourned after completing the agenda.