Commissioners approve CVB and Konza Prairie donations; Brigade Baseball grant increased to $10,000

Geary County commissioners on Thursday signed a partnership agreement with the Konza Prairie Biological Station and approved several tourism and community-sport funding requests brought by the county1s Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB).

Doctor John Blair, director of the Konza Prairie Biological Station, and Jill Hocus, the station1s education director, joined the meeting for a short presentation and a ceremonial signing of a three-copy partnership agreement. Commissioners noted Konza Prairie draws visitors statewide and globally and emphasized the research, education and conservation mission that underpins the site.

Rick Dexter of the CVB requested a $5,000 donation toward a new entrance pavilion and donor plaques at the Konza Prairie site. Commissioners approved the $5,000 contribution after a motion and second.

Separately, the commission voted to increase the county1s contribution to Brigade Baseball to $10,000 for the 2025 season after a presentation that said the team is moving to a larger 10-team league, will host roughly 2025 home games and expects increased travel and recruitment benefits for the community.

The CVB also sought to renew advertising and outreach. Commissioners approved renewing a half-page Kansas Society of Association Executives advertisement (price quoted in the packet) and discussed future trade-show participation; the CVB recommended scaling back attendance at some events where attendance and leads have declined.

Commissioners and Konza representatives exchanged photographs after the agreement signing. No additional conditions were attached to the Konza donation; the contribution will be recorded as a CVB sponsorship expense.