Shawnee County commissioners approve $5.5 million in vouchers and a slate of contracts and bids

The Shawnee County Board of County Commissioners on Jan. 16 approved $5,504,613.84 in vouchers and unanimously approved a series of contracts and procurement awards covering audit services, road‑maintenance materials, facility renovation and park improvements.

County officials said the voucher total included payments to vendors supporting public safety and county operations. The county clerk reported payments including $116,193.35 to Axon Enterprise for sheriff’s office body‑camera and related services, $220,771.46 to KBS Constructors (the county-reported Kansas grant portion for Department of Corrections construction work), and $2,666,814 to Allianz Insurance Services for county insurance renewal.

The board also approved annual audit, software and maintenance contracts and multiple public‑works purchases during a meeting chaired by Commissioner Aaron Mays. All motions recorded in the meeting passed on 3‑0 votes unless otherwise noted.

Votes at a glance

- Consent agenda: Approved (motion by Commissioner Mayes; second by Commissioner Cook). Outcome: Passed 3‑0. - Vouchers (total $5,504,613.84): Approved (motion to approve vouchers; mover/second recorded). Outcome: Passed 3‑0. - Correction orders: Approved (motion by Commissioner Mayes; second by Commissioner Rippon). Outcome: Passed 3‑0. - Acknowledgment of K9 retirement correspondence (Drago): Approved (motion by Commissioner Mayes; second by Commissioner Rippon). Outcome: Passed 3‑0. - Contract C12‑2025, Forbus LLP — annual audit services (county clerk’s general expenses): Approved (motion by Commissioner Cook; second by Commissioner Rippon). Outcome: Passed 3‑0. - Public works bid — Potters Industries LLC, up to 44,000 pounds of retroreflective glass beads: Approved (motion by Commissioner Rippon; second by Commissioner Cook). Outcome: Passed 3‑0. - Public works bid — Ham Inc. dba Buildix LLC, up to 4,000 cubic yards of lightweight aggregate: Approved (motion by Commissioner Cook; second by Commissioner Mays). Outcome: Passed 3‑0. - Contract C13‑2025, City of Topeka / Department of Corrections — inmate work crew services (one work group plus supervisor; inmates paid $8/day; monthly invoicing): Approved (motion by Commissioner Mayes; second by Commissioner Rippon). Outcome: Passed 3‑0. - Contract C16‑2025, Coordant Health Solutions — Century Collin drug‑screening system, $71,000 (grant‑funded; sole‑source approved by audit finance): Approved (motion by Commissioner Mays; second by Commissioner Rippon). Outcome: Passed 3‑0. - Contract C14‑2025, PKMRHTK — phase 1 courthouse restroom renovation, $459,000 (paid from project fund): Approved (motion by Commissioner Cook; second by Commissioner Rippon). Outcome: Passed 3‑0. - Contract C15‑2025, B & T Construction LLC — Lehi Trail resurfacing and Tyler Street approach (phase 1, approximately 3.2 miles of trail work; project estimate ~$151,000; Recreational Trails grant $102,000; remainder from Parks building‑maintenance fund): Approved (motion by Commissioner Rippon; second by Commissioner Mayes). Outcome: Passed 3‑0. - RFP authorization — Cypress Ridge Golf Course irrigation pump and motors (to be paid from golf course revolving fund): Approved (motion by Commissioner Mayes; second by Commissioner Cook). Outcome: Passed 3‑0. - Emergency Management — authorization to issue bids for capital outlay projects previously approved in FY 2024–25 budget: Approved (motion by Commissioner Cook; second by Commissioner Rippon). Outcome: Passed 3‑0. - Contract C20‑2025 (renewal) — Computer Information Concepts: county tax administration platform support, $63,895: Approved (motion by Commissioner Rippon; second by Commissioner Mays). Outcome: Passed 3‑0.

Context and details

Several items drew brief discussion about budget pressures and inflation. Commissioners noted small annual price increases in line‑item procurement: the glass beads bid reflected a roughly 6% price change from the prior year and the lightweight aggregate bid showed an approximate 3% increase. Commissioners said those higher input costs will be reflected in year‑end budget discussions.

Parks staff described the Lehi Trail resurfacing as a phase‑1 project covering about a 3.2‑mile stretch from the Westgate Bridge east to Tyler Street, with a contracted surface consisting of a gravel base and crushed‑limestone top. Parks staff said the project estimate is about $151,000, of which $102,000 is being paid by a Recreational Trails grant from the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks; the local share will come from the department’s building‑maintenance fund.

The board also approved a sole‑source, grant‑funded contract for a drug‑screening system for Community Corrections, and allowed the Department of Corrections to continue a city‑inmate work crew arrangement with the City of Topeka (inmates paid $8 per day; the city will be invoiced monthly for the program’s costs).

What’s next

Commissioners said there was no need for an executive session at the Jan. 16 meeting. The board planned an after‑action work session on its snow response later in the month; the board will next meet on Thursday of the following week.