Atchison County commissioners debate using Senior Village sale proceeds to fund new Road & Bridge facility

Atchison County commissioners discussed how to pay for a proposed Road & Bridge facility after the county received engineering budget quotes showing total construction costs near $1.77 million. The commissioners heard that proceeds from the sale of the Senior Village property — currently held in a capital fund with a balance of $1,299,838.80 — are being considered as part of the funding mix.

Commissioners said the project is a clearly identified capital need and that using capital-sale proceeds to pay for long-lived infrastructure is an appropriate use of that fund. However, several commissioners cautioned that spending most or all of the Senior Village proceeds would leave the county with significantly lower cash reserves and could force higher mill levies or other transfers in future budgets to rebuild reserves.

Discussion covered alternatives and timing: engineering indicated a 3–4 month timeline for work that would be needed before going to request for proposals; commissioners asked staff to continue collecting quotes, clarify exact budget lines (concrete, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, general contractor, engineering), and report back at the budget workshop. Commissioners also raised questions about whether the project could be scaled, whether other county funds would be tapped, and how any use of the Senior Village proceeds would interact with the county’s broader cash balance and prior-year ARPA commitments.

No formal vote was taken on funding at the meeting; commissioners directed staff to continue obtaining cost details and to include the item on forthcoming budget discussions so the board can evaluate reserve impacts and options for phasing or alternative funding.