Dickinson County commissioners approve event venue permit, vehicle and equipment purchases, contracts and a proclamation

The Dickinson County Board of Commissioners approved a conditional use permit for a rural event venue, authorized multiple equipment and vehicle purchases, adopted a county resolution defining administrator authority and proclaimed February 2025 as Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month at its meeting on Jan. 30.

The actions move forward a private event business on county land, funding and repairs for highway and emergency-response equipment and short-term contract changes for public-defense attorneys, officials said. Commissioners also authorized a county commissioner to sign accounts payable while other commissioners attend County Government Day in Topeka.

Planning and zoning staff presented the conditional-use permit for an event venue called The Willows, located at 1245 Flag Road. Tim Hamilton, planning and zoning, told the commission that the planning commission reviewed the application Jan. 16 and recommended approval by a 6-0 vote. Hamilton said the planning commission placed conditions requiring that outdoor lighting attached to the building be shielded to prevent light encroachment on adjacent residences and that the applicants consult with environmental services, the fire district and county emergency management on well, septic and emergency response status.

Commissioners approved the conditional use permit for CUP 25-01. The permit includes a clause that it will expire if the property is sold or transferred to new ownership, and the applicants indicated they were working to resolve required items with the fire district before operating large public events. Applicant representatives estimated that the building could host roughly 240–250 people for large weddings and that parking for 40–50 vehicles would be handled on the site’s 28 acres.

Dalen Alexander, who identified himself as a youth mentor advocate for EVAC, read a proclamation from the Domestic Violence Association of Central Kansas recognizing February 2025 as Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. While reading statistical findings cited in the proclamation, Alexander read that "one of three adolescents in the United States is a victim of physical, emotional, or verbal abuse from a dating partner," a statistic included in the text he presented. Commissioners unanimously approved the proclamation.

The commission approved two purchases related to emergency medical services. Commissioners agreed to a purchase and remount agreement with Emergency Services Supply for a 2026 Type 1 Osage chassis (listed at $343,610) and a remount of a second unit (listed at $256,005.45). County officials said payments will be made at the time each vehicle is completed and that prices may shift slightly because of manufacturing timing.

County staff also presented and the commission approved an engineering services agreement tied to a High-Risk Rural Roads (HRRR) grant for 1400 Avenue between Jeep and Quay. Janelle Dockman, county administrator, and staff said the county received a $1,115,000 grant to improve the mile of roadway; Cobb Valley Engineering was selected to provide professional services under an agreement not to exceed $159,780. The work will include core drilling, design and surveying ahead of construction slated for 2026.

Road and bridge staff requested and received approval to replace the engine in a Case motor grader, with an invoice for parts and labor of $23,071.36. Finance staff reported the payment would be charged to the highway special machinery fund; the finance update noted approximately $1,140,000 remains in that fund.

The commission voted to remove a 2020 Dodge 1500 pickup from an online auction listing (Purple Wave) and to reassess the vehicle’s disposition at a later date. Commissioners said keeping the vehicle in the county fleet preserves an available asset rather than converting it to cash immediately.

In an item discussed in executive session and then approved in open session, the commission agreed to modify agreements for the panel of four contract attorneys who appear in Dickinson County courts and to make those changes retroactive to Jan. 1, 2025. County counselor Doug Thompson told the commission the four attorneys handle cases before the local judges and that the revised agreements are identical in scope; commissioners approved the modification.

Administrative business included adopting Resolution 13,025 clarifying and outlining the county administrator’s powers and authority, and designating Commission Chair and vice-chair involvement in finalizing the agenda. The commission also authorized Commissioner Lynn Peterson to sign accounts payable and payroll in the event of other commissioners’ absence, with Ron Roller and another commissioner named as backups.

Officials held two brief executive sessions, one for attorney-client privileged matters and another for non-elected personnel. County officials said no final action resulted from the non-elected personnel executive session. The commissioners adjourned after completing the agenda.

Votes at a glance

- Proclamation: Designate February 2025 as Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month (Domestic Violence Association of Central Kansas). Outcome: approved (unanimous). Evidence: reading by Dalen Alexander, youth mentor advocate, and roll-call approval by the commission.

- CUP 25-01 (The Willows event venue at 1245 Flag Road). Outcome: approved (motion carried). Conditions: shielded outdoor lighting; consult environmental services, fire district, emergency management; permit expires on sale/transfer.

- Emergency Services Supply purchase/remounts (two vehicles). Outcome: approved (motion carried). Listed amounts: $343,610 and $256,005.45; payment upon completion.

- HRRR engineering agreement with Cobb Valley (1400 Avenue between Jeep and Quay). Outcome: approved (motion carried). Engineering NTE: $159,780; grant award: $1,115,000; construction planned for 2026.

- Replacement engine for a Case motor grader (parts and labor). Outcome: approved (motion carried). Invoice: $23,071.36; funding: highway special machinery fund (approx. $1,140,000 available).

- Remove 2020 Dodge 1500 from Purple Wave auction for reassessment later. Outcome: approved (motion carried).

- Modify contracts for four court-appointed attorneys; make agreements retroactive to Jan. 1, 2025. Outcome: approved (motion carried).

What commissioners said and next steps

Tim Hamilton, planning and zoning, told the commission the planning panel approved the The Willows application 6-0 and outlined the recommended conditions. Janelle Dockman and staff said Cobb Valley will begin survey and core-drilling work so design documents are ready ahead of construction. Finance staff confirmed funding lines to cover the grader engine replacement from the highway special machinery fund. County staff will provide copies of permits and contracts to applicants and stakeholders and will continue consultation with the fire district and environmental services before events occur.

The board noted there will be no regular commission meeting on Feb. 6 because commissioners will attend County Government Day at the state capitol. The board adjourned after completing the agenda.