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County approves negotiations for sales‑tax road and bridge consultants; staff to apply for KDOT bridge grants
Summary
The commission authorized staff to negotiate consultant contracts for multiple sales‑tax‑funded road and bridge projects, approved use of sales tax funds for certain overlays, and agreed to submit KDOT bridge grant applications for two structures.
Riley County commissioners on May 26 voted to move forward with contract negotiations for several road and bridge projects funded under the county’s sales tax programs and authorized staff to submit grant applications to KDOT for two bridge replacements.
The lede: Public Works Director Evan McMillan asked the board to approve consultant selections and begin contract negotiations for nine structure replacements funded by the county’s 2022 sales tax; the board approved the recommendation by motion and vote.
McMillan and staff also recommended using funds from the 2012 (older) sales tax for the Camar Ladd Avenue corridor reconstruction and allowing the 2022 sales tax to cover any cost overruns on older sales‑tax projects, plus asphalt overlay overages and federal fund exchange shortfalls. The resolution presented also authorizes the Public Works director to fund future road and bridge projects at his discretion, subject to later board approval of negotiated contracts.
Commissioner discussion was brief and supportive. After a motion and second, the board unanimously approved moving forward with contract negotiations and the attached resolution indicating which projects will be funded through sales tax proceeds.
Separately, staff asked and the board approved submitting grant applications to KDOT’s local bridge improvement programs for two bridges (Green Randolph structure and LaSaida Road). McMillan noted the program is competitive and estimated construction costs for the two projects in the $1.16 million range with potential KDOT funding up to roughly $1 million if awarded.
Public Works also presented bids for a transfer‑station tipping floor and chute repair project during the meeting. Two contractors’ bids were substantially higher than the engineer’s estimate; staff moved to send the bid packets back to engineering for further analysis. The commission approved sending the bids to staff for review and recommendation.
Ending: The board signed the resolution and directed staff to complete contract negotiations, pursue KDOT grant applications, and report back with recommendations after bid analysis for the transfer‑station repairs.
