Chase County commissioners approve administrative items, appoint lead director and approve emergency plan; debate over weed sprayer ends with $13,605 purchase

Chase County Commissioners on Monday approved several administrative items, appointed a new lead director and adopted the county's emergency operations plan, while a more contested choice to buy a new sprayer for the noxious weed program drew questions about long-term equipment strategy.

The board voted to approve the warrants and minutes for prior meetings, adopted a retiree policy to take effect March 17, 2025, and signed a proclamation recognizing child abuse and neglect prevention month as submitted by the Secretary of State's office. Commissioners also approved the county emergency operations plan and appointed Charlie Swift as Chase County lead director.

Why this matters: The approvals set near-term county administrative rules (retiree policy), confirm leadership in county operations, and formalize emergency planning submitted to state emergency management — items that affect continuity of county services and how the county responds to emergencies.

Most important decisions and votes

- The board approved the county emergency operations plan and agreed to sign and file it with the state emergency management office. - The commissioners appointed Charlie Swift as the county's lead director. - The board adopted a retiree policy to be added to the employee handbook effective March 17, 2025. - The board voted to purchase a new sprayer unit for the noxious weed program from Ag Spray for $13,605.24 after discussion about pump longevity and costs. - The board signed the annual noxious weed eradication progress report for February 2024 and approved a construction change order (2024-21).

The meeting also included longer updates from public works on bridges, streambank stabilization and an expanded creek-gravel screening plan; from the fire/emergency official on an early and problematic start to burn season; and from facilities staff about a recent jail maintenance hire and the need for a formal tool inventory and digital work-order tracking.

Noxious weed sprayer decision and debate

Charlie Swift, who the board appointed during the meeting as lead director, pressed for replacing aging spray pumps and presented several vendor quotes. Swift told the board that a vendor who assembled the same Raven-brand system had offered to install the unit for "13,605" and contrasted that with a higher quote he had received through John Deere. Swift described older beam pumps in the county toolshed as 40–45 years old and said the county had no working sprayer in the field while parts were ordered and rebuilt.

Commissioners discussed budget implications and the idea of establishing a departmental equipment reserve so the weed department could save for larger items rather than requesting large purchases ad hoc. After the discussion, a motion to buy the Ag Spray unit for $13,605.24 was moved, seconded and carried.

Roads, bridges and FEMA work

Tom (staff member) provided the board with multi-project updates, including progress on Cedar Point bridge construction, Camp Wood streambank stabilization tied to the 2019 flood event, and plans to screen and sort creek gravel for road rock. He told commissioners FEMA is expected to reimburse a large share of some disaster-related costs and said, "FEMA will reimburse 75%. KDM will reimburse 10%, and we'll be on the hook for 15," describing how the county's share of some large repair projects will work.

Tom also described ongoing work to obtain permits to pull and screen creek gravel and noted the county will test the cost-effectiveness of screening creek material versus buying crushed rock from a quarry.

Fire season and burn rules

Steve (fire/EMS staff) told the board the county has had a difficult start to burn season, including a flare-up caused by brush-pile burning that prompted multi-agency responses. To reduce risk while conditions remain volatile he said he told dispatch: "no brush piles the rest of the week. None. Grass only." The board discussed enforcement and plans to meet with the county attorney to ensure citation authority and processes are in place under the county's open-burning resolution (see authorities).

Facilities, jail maintenance and staffing

Facilities staff and commissioners discussed the recent hire of "Joe" at the jail and the transition after a long-serving employee retired. Commissioners and facilities staff agreed to create a formal tools inventory, to establish a modest purchase authority for small immediate needs (examples used by commissioners were amounts under about $200), and to move toward a digital maintenance/work-order system so after-hours calls and repairs can be logged and paid correctly.

Land access request

A resident seeking legal access to a leased, landlocked parcel asked the board for guidance on easement options. Commissioners agreed to consult the county attorney to review statutes and options for easement or right-of-way, and to arrange for the resident to meet with the county attorney for next steps.

What comes next

The board asked public works staff to produce a clearer, chronological chip-seal and hard-surface road plan ahead of a work session so commissioners can set near-term priorities; staff said they will circulate the final bridge inspection report when it is received. The commission also directed staff to continue working with FEMA and landowners on drift and debris removal and to pursue written access agreements where contractors need to operate on private property.

Votes at a glance

- Approve warrants and bills for March 17, 2025: moved and seconded; outcome: approved. - Approve minutes of Feb. 28, 2025 meeting: moved and seconded; outcome: approved. - Adopt SOS proclamation for child abuse and neglect prevention month: moved and seconded; outcome: approved (proclamation notes April is the observance month). - Approve change order 2024-21 (commercial to residential changes on properties): moved and seconded; outcome: approved. - Adopt retiree policy for inclusion in the Chase County employee handbook, effective 03/17/2025: moved and seconded; outcome: approved. - Approve and sign the county emergency operations plan and submit to the state emergency management office: moved and seconded; outcome: approved. - Appoint Charlie Swift as Chase County lead director: moved and seconded; outcome: approved. - Sign the annual noxious weed eradication progress report for 02/2024: moved and seconded; outcome: approved. - Award purchase of a sprayer unit for the new pickup to Ag Spray for $13,605.24: moved and seconded; outcome: approved.

Who said what (attributions)

- Charlie Swift, newly appointed Chase County Lead Director: presented quotes and technical details for a new sprayer, including that a vendor "offered it for me for installation and everything for 13,605." He described two existing beam pumps as 40 and 45 years old and said one unit was temporarily out of service while parts were ordered. - Tom (staff member): provided road, bridge and FEMA project updates and said county reimbursement expectations for eligible FEMA projects. - Steve (fire/EMS staff): described multiple brush-pile flare-ups and stated his temporary operational restriction: "no brush piles the rest of the week. None. Grass only."

The meeting included other department updates and public questions about access to private parcels; commissioners asked staff to work with the county attorney for legal guidance on access and easements. The board adjourned after the March 17 session and set a follow-up agenda and work-session items for late March and April.

Ending note: Commissioners asked staff to provide more detailed, chronologically ordered chip-seal and bridge-inspection materials at a future work session to permit clearer budget and project prioritization.