Votes at a glance: Franklin County Commission approves contracts, appointments and year-end transfers

Franklin County commissioners took a series of votes at their Dec. 18 meeting that covered contracts, appointments and year-end financial transfers.

The commission approved the consent agenda, accepted a subdivision final plat, appointed a noxious weed director, approved a transfer-station repair contract, authorized engineering design for a frequently flooded county road, adopted year-end budget transfers, and approved a change in the county’s payment processor pending legal review. The commission also held and closed a public hearing and approved a revised plan for the Lake Region Solid Waste Authority.

Votes at a glance:

- Consent agenda approved: Commissioners approved meeting minutes and claim vouchers totaling $2,117,955.90. The staff noted the total included the final payment to Kilo for the Old 50 Highway project and tax change orders totaling a negative $2,980.72 (described by staff as tax change orders). (Vote: recorded yes by all commissioners present.)

- Ransom Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees: Reappointment of five county-appointed trustees (Eric Duderstadt; Betty Burzer; John Cohen; Dr. Frank; Crystal Anderson). (See separate article for candidate discussion.) (Vote: approved.)

- Final plat acceptance (commonly known as 1770 Louisiana Road): The commission accepted dedication of rights of way and easements and authorized the chair to sign the final plat for a small subdivision roughly 3.5 miles southwest of Ottawa that splits a property into four lots (30.69 acres; 56.28 acres; 6.9-acre homestead; 23.21 acres). Planning staff and the planning commission recommended approval. (Motion passed; roll-call recorded yes votes.)

- Appointment of Noxious Weed Director: Commissioners appointed Rob Olsen as noxious weed director. Staff said state law requires appointment of a certified director; Olsen holds the necessary certifications. (Vote: approved.)

- Transfer-station overhead door repair contract: The commission approved a proposal from DH Pace in the amount of $26,846 to replace one overhead door and repair another at the county transfer station, with work planned after hours (6 p.m.–6 a.m.) to avoid closing the facility to customers. County staff said the solid-waste fund, supported by tipping fees, will cover the cost. (Vote: approved.)

- Colorado Road Overflow project design agreement: The commission approved an engineering design agreement with Cook, Flat & Strobel Engineers (design fee quoted in meeting at approximately $47,000) to address regular flooding and damage on a stretch of Colorado Road south of Pomona. (Vote: approved.)

- Year-end budget transfers: Commissioners adopted a resolution authorizing staff to execute year-end transfers that were budgeted in the 2024 budget, subject to audit review and available balances. County finance staff said this is a routine annual action to close out the fiscal year. (Vote: approved.)

- Payment processor vendor change: The commission approved a motion to change the county’s in-person payment processor to Certified Payments, pending administrative and legal review of contract documents. Staff said the new vendor offered lower percentage and minimum transaction fees and more secure payment terminals (chip and contactless options). The change affects several county payment stations including the treasurer, clerk, motor vehicle, sheriff and transfer station. (Vote: approved subject to review.)

- Lake Region Solid Waste Authority plan revision: After a brief public hearing with no public comment, the commission approved an updated regional solid-waste plan to add Shawnee County elements to the Lake Region Solid Waste Authority plan. Staff described the update as administrative and not changing Franklin County’s operations. (Vote: approved.)

Other actions and staff directions:

- Staff requested a signature from the chair on a KDHE grant application to accept $50,000 available this fiscal year for septic-system repairs or related work; staff said a larger $100,000 grant application is planned for next year. Commissioners directed staff to set a framework for awarding funds if the grant is received. (Action: chair signature requested; not recorded as a separate formal board appropriation at this meeting.)

- Staff announced that right-of-way and utility acquisitions for a Texas Road project are complete and that the county has submitted a cost-share reimbursement package for the Old 50 Highway project to the state (amount reported in the meeting recording as unclear; staff will file documentation). County staff asked the administrator to sign cost-share paperwork as part of routine reimbursement processing.

Administrative and legal notes: County staff said the appointment of a noxious weed director is required by Kansas law; staff also noted Commonwealth (county) solid-waste funds are supported by tipping fees, not general tax revenue, when describing transfer-station funding.

Meeting context and next steps: Commissioners discussed continuing to monitor the hospital board and county capital projects. Several items (e.g., payment-processor contract) were approved pending administrative/legal review and signature; staff said they would return documents for signature as needed. The commission adjourned after a brief executive session in which no formal action was reported.