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Public works administrator briefs commissioners on fiber petition, FEMA recovery, road projects and rising rock costs
Summary
Interim public works administrator Jeremy Myers updated the Geary County Board of Commissioners on an AT&T petition for fiber along I‑70, upcoming FEMA recovery meetings, crack‑seal bid timelines, scrap‑metal revenue, and an 8–10% rise in quarry rock prices that could affect 2026 budgeting.
Jeremy Myers, interim public works administrator, gave the Geary County Board of Commissioners a multi‑topic public works update at a regular meeting, recommending next steps on several maintenance projects, FEMA recovery work and vendor requests.
Myers told the board AT&T submitted a petition to place fiber‑optic cable along I‑70, proposing buried 2‑inch conduits and a 44‑strand cable at roughly 3‑foot depths. Myers described the request as a standard right‑of‑way petition; he recommended the commission approve the petition (the commission later approved the petition by voice vote). Commissioner(s) also asked to be notified when construction begins so they can check work in the right‑of‑way.
Myers reported the county will host a FEMA recovery scope meeting on Feb. 12 with FEMA and KDIM (as recorded) to discuss preliminary damage from June flooding under FEMA declaration DR‑4824 and to explore remediation assistance on recurring problem areas including Kansas Falls Road. Myers said another FEMA matter, DR‑4774 (the January 2024 event), has advanced to the state level and county staff expect state reviews to be finalized soon.
Myers said the county released crack‑seal requests for quotes on Jan. 30, 2025, with responses due Feb. 28, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. He said the county plans to crack‑seal Humble Creek and Asher Road in March or early April and will issue a public notice ahead of the work.
On maintenance and revenue matters, Myers reported 2024 scrap‑metal collections from the transfer station totaled 76.04 tons for $7,276.10, a total similar to 2023. He also updated the commissioners on emergency management roofing damage caused by heavy rains on Dec. 30–31, noting water intrusion in the emergency manager’s office that damaged ceiling tiles and a bookcase; Myers said he is seeking repair and reimbursement through the vendor Stanfield and coordinating cleanup labor.
Myers warned of an 8–10% increase in quarry rock prices from 2024 to 2025 (example: 2‑inch roadstone rising from $17.45/ton to $19.20/ton). He said the increase should be considered during 2026 budget planning to maintain the county’s target “100 ton per mile” standard.
Other operational updates included a report that blades are out on gravel roads to regrade and spot‑place rock after the storm, an internal recruitment process for a road‑and‑bridge assistant supervisor (two internal letters of interest received), and that Twin Valley has a small project underway in the county. Myers said the county will prorate certain maintenance contracts as existing contracts expire.
Myers closed by asking whether commissioners had additional questions; none were raised at length.
