Atchison County commissioners swear in officials, set 2025 organizational rules and award Ottawa Road culvert contract

Atchison County commissioners convened their organizational meeting on Monday, Jan. 13, 2025, at the Atchison County Courthouse, where newly sworn officials were administered oaths and the board approved a series of administrative, fiscal and personnel items for 2025 and authorized a road contract.

The board — Commissioners James Campbell (First District), Eric Knoll (Second District) and Casey Quinn (Third District) — administered oaths of office to county officials before taking up organizational business. The commissioners nominated and approved a chair and vice chair for 2025, confirmed committee and board assignments, set regular meeting and workshop schedules, designated eligible depositories and ratified several financial and personnel policies that will govern county operations this year.

Why it matters: the package of approvals adopted at the organizational meeting establishes who represents the county on local and regional boards, fixes spending and reimbursement limits for department heads, clarifies record‑request fees and personnel policy procedures for elected officials, and commits the county to the administrative steps required for participation in state programs such as the Rural Opportunity Zone student loan repayment program. The board also moved to complete an infrastructure project by awarding a construction contract to a low bidder.

Among the key administrative and fiscal items approved, the commissioners: - Approved committee assignments for 2025, including representation on the Area Agency on Aging, Community Corrections Advisory Board, County Health, NEK CAP regional board, NEKS, Project Concern, Safety Committee, Solid Waste Advisory Board and Atchison Area Economic Development (motions passed 3-0). - Designated Exchange Bank & Trust as the county’s main depository for 2025 and retained other banks as eligible depositories per the treasurer’s recommendation (motion passed 3-0). - Set department…