Finney County commissioners approve $12.98 million GMP for EMS facility, approve KDOT contract and year-end transfers; authorize procurement steps for vehicles

The Finney County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday approved a guaranteed maximum price of $12,983,914 for construction of a new health department and emergency medical services facility and took a series of other motions including approval of a Kansas Department of Transportation contract to reconstruct parts of U.S. 83 and multiple year‑end budget transfers.

The board’s action on the Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) came after presentations from Hutton Construction. Andy Farmeyer, with Hutton Construction, told commissioners the project’s GMP is $12,983,914 and said, “the intent ... is to start work on the project on March 17,” subject to final city plan‑review comments.

Why it matters: County officials said the building will be funded primarily from a dedicated quarter‑cent sales tax that the county has been using for capital projects; County Administrator Robert Reese said the sales tax fund includes prior transfers that will cover construction costs and allow the county to avoid increases in ad valorem property taxes for this project.

Hutton Construction and its selected subcontractors will manage construction under a construction‑manager‑at‑risk delivery. Commissioners and project staff highlighted that many subcontractors are local or regional, which they said will retain tax dollars in Southwest Kansas.

KDOT Highway 83 contract

The board reviewed and approved a detailed contract with the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) that covers reconstruction work on a roughly 5.4‑mile segment of U.S. 83 south of Garden City. Robert Reese summarized the agreement as reflecting an overlay of approximately 1½ inches on the roadway before the state transfers maintenance to the county.

Commissioners discussed an unanswered issue about a box‑culvert and future four‑lane conversion; Reese said KDOT would not add any obligation in the current contract to pay for future box‑culvert work if and when the corridor is expanded to four lanes. The board approved the KDOT contract as presented.

Northwest Industrial Park engineering contract

The board considered and approved a contract with Kirkham Michael to prepare preliminary engineering and a traffic‑impact study for the Northwest Industrial Park. Mackenzie Phillips, development and administrative coordinator, said the contract for the additional services is $230,000; she said that cost will be allocated among the three affected property owners through development agreements that have not yet been finalized. C. W. Harper of Kirkham Michael explained the proposed cost allocation will follow frontage and other elements spelled out in the engineering plan.

County vehicle procurement decision

Public Works staff presented quotes for two Road and Bridge pickups and one Noxious Weed pickup. Kaylee Jones reported a state contract bid from Shawnee Mission Ford and a local bid from Burtis Motors; staff recommended using the state contract to avoid a sealed‑bid procurement and to save money. One commissioner voiced a preference to keep purchases local and to follow the county’s purchasing policy by soliciting sealed bids.

The board initially considered accepting the state contract but, after debate, voted instead to follow the county’s purchasing policy and open the purchase to sealed bids. Commissioners recorded a vocal objection during the first motion in favor of the state contract; the later motion to solicit sealed bids carried.

Other procurement and personnel actions

- The board appointed Robert C. Gonzales to a one‑year at‑large seat on the Finney County Convention and Visitors Bureau board to fill a vacancy; the appointment was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote. - The emergency management director, Paul Esley, received authorization to purchase a used 4x4 pickup from budgeted funds; that motion was moved, seconded and approved. - The board authorized staff to issue a request for proposals for property and casualty insurance brokerage services, set a timetable for proposals due March 10 and asked a small committee to review responses.

Year‑end transfers and resolutions

County staff presented a package of year‑end transfers after closing fiscal year 2024. Robert Reese said the transfers fund equipment reserves, facilities capital improvements and other departmental reserves. The board approved three statutory resolutions for certain transfers and then approved the remaining transfers totaling $4,864,950.

County building HVAC problems and library closure

Commissioners heard an extended report on malfunctioning variable‑refrigerant‑flow (VRF) heating and cooling systems affecting several county buildings. Kyle Joyce, building maintenance supervisor, said multiple VRF units in the courthouse, library, the county administration building and the county attorney’s office are operating below design capacity or are offline. Joyce said some replacement circuit boards have arrived but additional parts remain on order and delivery is subject to manufacturer and weather delays.

Joyce said warranty and diagnostic work is underway with local contractor Webber’s and Samsung technical support; County Administrator Robert Reese said the county has engaged outside engineers to diagnose design problems and explore remedies. Reese and commissioners confirmed the county and staff are evaluating warranty and other legal options but that the first priority is restoring building function. The county’s public library had been closed for safety and comfort while technicians work to restore HVAC service.

Public health, fire and other reports

Public commenter Callie Dyer, representing Live Well Finney County, reported a recent spike in overdoses and reminded the public that the coalition distributes Narcan and offers training at no cost. Kenny Smith, training officer for the Garden City Fire Department, gave the department’s January call summary and updates on Station 3 work and mutual aid responses to a multi‑agency haybale/wildfire near Kincannon Lake.

What’s next

Commissioners directed staff to proceed with the GMP contract documents for signature, move forward with the KDOT contract as drafted, open sealed bids for the county vehicle purchases and release the RFP for insurance brokerage services on the schedule presented. The board scheduled its next regular session and work session for early March.

Votes at a glance (motions recorded at the meeting)

- Accept Guaranteed Maximum Price from Hutton Construction, $12,983,914 — outcome: approved (voice vote). - Approve KDOT contract for South Highway 83 improvements (public‑road transfer/overlay) — outcome: approved (voice vote). - Approve contract with Kirkham Michael for preliminary engineering and traffic study, $230,000 — outcome: approved (voice vote). - Appoint Robert C. Gonzales to the Finney County CVB (one‑year at‑large seat) — outcome: approved (voice vote). - Approve emergency management purchase of used 4x4 pickup (budgeted funds) — outcome: approved (voice vote). - Vehicle procurement for Road & Bridge and Noxious Weed: board declined to accept the state contract and directed staff to solicit sealed bids — outcome: motion to solicit bids approved (voice vote). - Authorize issuance of RFP for property and casualty insurance brokerage; set timeline (proposals due March 10; interviews mid‑March) and appoint a review committee — outcome: approved (committee appointments recorded). - Approve three statutory resolutions and remaining year‑end transfers totaling $4,864,950 — outcome: approved (voice vote).

Sources and evidence: meeting transcript of the Finney County Board of Commissioners (topic introduction and conclusion segments cited in provenance).