Shawnee County commissioners approve routine contracts, replenish DA cold‑case fund and grant conditional use permit

The Shawnee County Board of County Commissioners on March 13 approved a series of routine contracts, budget actions and land‑use approvals, voted to replenish the district attorney's cold case fund by $150,000, and granted a conditional use permit for a demo landfill and recycling facility on a 36.05‑acre parcel in Minokin Township.

The board, chaired by Commissioner Aaron Mays, approved the consent agenda and routine financial items early in the meeting. County clerk payments (vouchers) totaling $2,232,475.62 were approved, including two Solid Waste Fund payments noted in the clerk's presentation: $292,099 to TLG Operations for a heavy‑duty recycling truck and $82,462 to Key Equipment & Supply Company for a roll‑off truck.

In a separate, debated item, Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagee told commissioners the cold case fund (established in February 2014 to support prosecution of cold and capital cases) was depleted and requested $150,000 from contingency to restore it to its original level. Kagee said investigators have recently reviewed at least 48 unsolved homicides at various stages of inquiry and that trial and expert costs are difficult to predict. Commissioners approved the request by a 3‑0 vote.

During the planning department's public hearing, the board considered Resolution No. 2025‑20: a conditional use permit to establish a demolition landfill and recycling facility on a 36.05‑acre property zoned RR‑1 along Northwest 20 Fifth Street in Minokin Township. Planning Director Joanie Thadani reported Environmental Health had received a neighbor complaint about illegal dumping on the parcel, that the current owner secured the site and applied for a conditional use permit for clean rubble (concrete, soil, asphalt) and future recycling. After public comment from the applicant's attorney Vernon Jarbo and the applicant Roger Wolfram, commissioners approved the conditional use permit and voted unanimously to amend the resolution to remove a specific requirement to obtain a KDHE solid waste processing permit (the planning director said KDHE indicated no such permit is required for the proposed activity). The board approved the amended resolution 3‑0.

Other approvals and contract awards included: - Sheriff's Office: renewal of annual maintenance agreement C888‑2025 with CBS Manhattan for security cameras and door access at Law Enforcement Center facilities, $38,857 (05/04/2025–05/03/2026). Approved 3‑0. - Elections: payment to the Kansas Secretary of State for the annual Elvis (Election Voter Information System) fee, $30,000. Approved 3‑0. - Facilities Management: authorization to issue a Request for Qualifications for architectural and MEP design services for courthouse restroom renovation (next step toward design and possible future construction). Commissioners noted the current budget (approx. $325,000) is below a preliminary $499,000 estimate; the board approved issuing the RFQ 3‑0. - Information Technology: waiver of purchase policy to procure 100 personal computers from CDW‑G for approximately $100,000 as part of the regular refresh. Approved 3‑0. - Parks and Recreation: multiple approved purchases and contracts using previously approved CIP and grant funds, including a $29,686.18 City of Topeka Dream Grant purchase for playground equipment at Nellie Hogan Park, a $12,966 purchase/installation of a Topsy spinner for Horn Park, renewal of aquatic chemical supply with Edwards Chemical, and architect/engineering service agreements for park projects. All park items approved 3‑0. - Noxious Weed Department: award of chemical supply bid to Missouri Farmers Association of Emporia. Approved 3‑0. - Public Works: approval of resolutions 2025‑14 and 2025‑15 to place and maintain "no engine braking" signs at two road segments in response to neighborhood complaints; and approval of temporary all‑way stop resolutions 2025‑18 and 2025‑19 establishing temporary stop control at two intersections on Northwest 60 Second Street where detours will increase traffic. Both sets of public‑works resolutions approved 3‑0.

Several other routine items on the consent agenda and departmental requests were also approved by unanimous votes. There were no executive‑session items and the meeting adjourned after routine administrative communications.

Votes at a glance (all recorded motions passed 3‑0 unless otherwise noted): vouchers approval ($2,232,475.62); correction orders; reinstatement of DA cold case fund ($150,000 contingency transfer); Resolution 2025‑20 conditional use permit (amended to remove KDHE permit requirement); sheriff contract C888‑2025 ($38,857); Elvis invoice ($30,000); RFQ for courthouse restroom design; CDW‑G computer purchase waiver (~$100,000); multiple parks contracts and purchases (listed above); weed chemicals contract to Missouri Farmers Association; public‑works signage and temporary intersection control resolutions.

Commissioners emphasized that several approvals were routine or procedural; in the few items that drew extended comment (the DA's request and the conditional use permit), staff provided detail on process, funding and regulatory limits and commissioners requested further clarity on budgetary options and continued departmental oversight.

Ending note: several commissioners and department directors flagged follow‑up items. Facilities staff will return with firm construction estimates before committing capital for the courthouse restroom work; planning staff and environmental health will continue to monitor the conditional use permit site; and county finance staff indicated ongoing conversations about whether the DA cold case fund should be moved into a recurring line item rather than depend on contingency transfers.