Shawnee County commissioners approve IRB authorization, training contract and multiple infrastructure items in 3–0 votes

The Shawnee County Board of County Commissioners approved a series of routine and project-specific items during its Feb. 20 meeting, including a resolution authorizing the potential issuance of up to $2 million in industrial revenue bonds for a traffic‑control business, a contract for detention‑staff CPR/first‑aid certification and several public‑works and parks maintenance contracts and solicitations. Most formal actions carried on unanimous 3–0 votes.

The board, chaired by Commissioner Aaron Mays (District 3), voted to authorize steps that would allow Citizen and Sons, a traffic‑control services firm, to seek up to $2 million in taxable industrial revenue bonds. Bond counsel said proceeds would finance acquisition of a site on Southeast 201st Street and that the county would not object to a request to the state Board of Tax Appeals for an ad valorem exemption of up to 10 years. Bond counsel also discussed a proposed payment‑in‑lieu‑of‑taxes arrangement and a proposed $2,000 minimum annual payment for the 10‑year period. The resolution passed 3–0. Motion: by Commissioner Mays; second: Commissioner Cook; vote: 3–0.

Why it matters: Industrial revenue bonds can affect whether a property is temporarily exempt from ad valorem taxation and how a development is financed. Bond counsel said the bonds would be special obligations payable from facility revenues and that UMB Bank would hold the first mortgage on the financed property.

Votes at a glance (formal actions recorded in the meeting)

- Resolution 2025‑10 — Authorize issuance of up to $2,000,000 in taxable industrial revenue bonds (Citizen and Sons). Motion to approve; motion carried 3–0. (Mover: Commissioner Mays; Second: Commissioner Cook.)

- Contract C56‑2025 — Approve annual contract with the American Red Cross for CPR, first aid, AED and Naloxone (Narcan) certification for detention staff; funding from the training budget. Motion to approve; motion carried 3–0. Tim Fells, Department of Corrections, described it as a cyclical item to manage annual certifications. (Mover: Commissioner Cook; Second: Commissioner Rippon.)

- Resolution 2025‑11 — Property tax relief for Russ C. and Barbara J. Robinson for a fire‑destroyed property at 4324 SE Massachusetts Court pursuant to Shawnee County Resolution 2023‑32. Motion to approve; carried 3–0. Kyle Edelman, county counselor’s office, presented the item. (Mover: Commissioner Mays; Second: Commissioner Rippon.)

- Plat P2402 (LRK‑08 Subdivision) — Approval of a preliminary and final plat to create one lot at 1701 NE 70th Street (RA‑1 zoning, Soldier Township). Joanie Fadani, planning director, said the parcel is about 43 acres with roughly 50 feet of frontage and that conditions include dedication of additional road right‑of‑way and a drainage report; no building permits will be issued until conditions are satisfied. Motion to open public hearing, motion to close and approve the plat; carried 3–0. (Mover to approve: Commissioner Rippon; Second: Commissioner Mays.)

- Public works solicitation — Permission to solicit bids to replace the UV disinfection system at the Sherwood Treatment Plant, with an estimated cost not greater than $350,000 paid from the Sherwood user‑fee funded account. Courtney House, director of public works, said the existing system is at the end of its service life and parts are no longer available. Motion to approve solicitation; carried 3–0. (Mover: Commissioner Cook; Second: Commissioner Rippon.)

- Contract C60‑2025 — Approve use of the BuyBoard cooperative and award contract to Landmark Aquatic to refurbish two slides and slide towers at the Shawnee North Aquatic Center for $76,900 from the capital maintenance fund. Tim Laurent, Parks and Recreation director, said the work includes full sanding, rust removal and recoating, with completion required no later than May 2. Motion to approve; carried 3–0. (Mover: Commissioner Mays; Second: Commissioner Cook.)

- Correction order (consent agenda) — Approval of a correction order listed on the consent agenda. Motion to approve remainder of consent agenda with item moved; carried 3–0.

- Termination of documents related to 2022 IRBs for AWE Windchase LLC — The board approved termination of the base lease, lease agreement, bond trust indenture and statutory pledge related to a 2022 issuance should the property be sold. Bond counsel said termination is requested by a prospective purchaser’s lender (to enable financing placed with Fannie Mae). If the sale closes and bonds are paid, the trustee will cancel bonds and the project would be returned to regular property tax rolls; if not, status quo remains. Motion to approve; carried 3–0. (Mover: Commissioner Cook; Second: Commissioner Mays.)

What commissioners and staff said

- Tim Fells, Department of Corrections: "This is a cyclical item that allows us to get all of our certifications managed annually," describing the Red Cross contract for detention‑staff training.

- Joanie Fadani, planning director: She described the LRK‑08 parcel as roughly 43 acres with limited frontage and outlined conditions (road right‑of‑way dedication and an approved drainage report) before building permits can be issued.

- Courtney House, public works director: "The existing UV disinfectant system is really at the end of its service life. Parts are no longer available to keep the system operating." She said the estimated replacement cost would be no greater than $350,000.

- Tim Laurent, parks and recreation director: said the aquatic slides project is more extensive than routine gel‑coating and includes sanding, rust remediation and repainting, and that work must be completed by May 2.

Process and next steps

Several items required or recommended follow‑up steps before final administrative completion: the plat will go to the county surveyor, GIS, treasurer and register of deeds for final checks and recording once conditions are satisfied; the Sherwood UV replacement will proceed to a formal bidding process; the Citizen and Sons bond documents and related loan terms were described as near completion with closing anticipated in March; and the AWE Windchase termination documents would be executed only if a sale and bond payoff occur.

Meeting context

The meeting was procedural with limited public comment (none at the public hearings). All formal actions recorded in the meeting carried on unanimous 3–0 votes by Commissioners Aaron Mays (chair), Bill Rippon and Kevin Cook. Administrative items included staff updates and scheduling of a future work session on a separate public‑works project.