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Riley County Commission directs staff to begin formal process to opt out of county school inspections; approves contracts, plats and equipment purchases
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Summary
On Nov. 19 the Riley County Commission voted to direct staff to start a charter-resolution process to opt out of county-conducted annual school inspections and approved a set of contracts, plats and purchases including a $30,250 bridge-inspection contract and a $90,000 used fire pumper.
Riley County commissioners on Nov. 19 voted to direct staff to begin the formal process needed to opt the county out of performing annual school inspections and approved several consent-agenda items including professional services agreements, plats and equipment purchases.
Planning and development staff told the commission the county’s school inspections overlap with inspections already done by state and other agencies and that the state newly authorized counties to opt out of performing those inspections. “So I’m here to recommend we basically opt out doing school inspections,” the Planning and Development Director said during the meeting, summarizing staff’s recommendation and the rationale.
Staff and commissioners described the inspections the county performs as largely redundant with work by the Kansas Department of Agriculture (food service), the fire marshal (fire systems and life-safety), building officials (structure and code compliance), elevator inspectors and other certified inspectors. The planning director also noted the county receives no state funding for school inspections, the county does not charge schools fees for the inspections, and county inspectors do not hold the specialized certifications many aspects of the checklist would require.
The commission was presented a process to implement an opt-out: the county would adopt a charter resolution (the resolution must pass unanimously), publish notice and allow 60 days for any protest; if no valid petition is filed, the change becomes effective 60 days after publication. After discussion the commission moved and approved a direction to staff to begin that formal process.
Votes at a glance - Motion directing staff to begin the formal process to opt out of performing school inspections: moved and seconded; outcome: approved (unanimous). Staff will draft the charter resolution and return it to the commission for formal action. - Authorize chairman to sign Stantec professional services agreement for comprehensive planning services (contract as presented): moved and seconded; outcome: approved (unanimous). - Sign 2023 management representation letter with James Gordon & Associates (management representation letter for the 2023 audit): moved and seconded; outcome: approved (unanimous). - Approve contract with Schwab Egan, P.A. for the 2024 biennial bridge inspection, amount $30,250: moved and seconded; outcome: approved (unanimous). - Approve purchase of a used 2000 Spartan Ferrara pumper for Riley County Fire District No. 1, amount $90,000 from Fund 184: moved and seconded; outcome: approved (unanimous). - Approve appointment letters and Resolution No. 121924 appointing representatives to the law enforcement board (Greg McKinley and Catherine Fokie): moved and seconded; outcome: approved (unanimous). - Acknowledge and accept final plats/replats (Resolution No. 121924) for multiple subdivisions (Reed Lane addition — replat of lots 16–17 Block F, White Canyon Subdivision; Western Shore Acres Unit 3 — replat of lots 1 and 3–10 Block 5; Lakeside Heights replat — replat of lots 5–7 Block 10): moved and seconded; outcome: approved (unanimous). - Requisition to fill Administrative Analyst / Levy Specialist position (county clerk’s office): moved and seconded; outcome: approved (unanimous). - Executive session: commissioners recessed into executive session on potential litigation with county attorneys present; meeting returned with a statement that action would be taken consistent with the consensus reached in executive session.
Why this matters The opt-out directs staff to pursue a formal, unanimous charter resolution that would shift primary responsibility for the kinds of technical inspections named in the county checklist to state and specialized inspectors. County staff said the change would reduce duplicative work by county staff and remove an unfunded duty; it does not eliminate inspections that the state or specialized inspectors already perform. If the commission later adopts the charter resolution and it goes into effect, schools would continue to be inspected by those state or certified entities rather than by county planning staff.
Other details and background - The Planning and Development Director told commissioners the county’s checklist includes items that are normally evaluated by fire marshals, building inspectors or certified technicians; staff said that could create a false sense of security if the county’s inspection were interpreted as a substitute for a specialized inspection. - The state law change that staff referenced was discussed at the meeting but the bill text or number was not specified in the record; staff said the bill language permitting opt-out is included in the meeting packet. - The Schawb Egan (Schwab Egan, P.A.) bridge-inspection contract was described as slightly higher than prior years because a new inspection portal (InspectEdge) requires additional data entry. - The $90,000 pumper purchase is to come from Riley County Fire District No. 1 fund 184.
What’s next Staff will prepare the charter resolution for the formal opt-out process and return the resolution for the commission’s unanimous vote and the required publication period. Staff will also finalize and implement the contracts, purchase orders and plats approved at the meeting.
