Commission approves rate increases, construction contract and policy updates

The Leavenworth County Board of Commissioners approved a package of administrative measures and contracts during formal board action, including solid-waste fee increases, a gate‑rate adjustment, a construction contract and a public‑comment policy update.

Mark (County Administrator) explained that the county’s transfer-station hauler invoked a CPI increase in its contract and that the proposed changes would help the solid-waste enterprise fund remain self‑supporting. Commissioners approved a motion to raise the minimum charge for municipal solid waste collection from $5 to $10 and to raise the minimum for C&D from $13 to $20. The board also approved a $2 per ton increase to the gate rate to cover the hauler’s CPI adjustment; the motion presented at the meeting specified an effective date of 09/01/2025 in the motion text.

The board approved an amendment to the county health‑plan rate card that had been discussed in prior budget work sessions; the change formalizes earlier direction to limit pay‑period impacts for employees. The board also approved placement of multiple vehicles and equipment on Purple Wave for auction, including a non‑operational Freightliner that staff said it does not make financial sense to repair.

Commissioners approved a construction contract with Eberk Construction for the 230 Fifth Street project in the amount of $4,301,411.96 with a 7.5% contingency; staff said the contractor intends to begin work in October. The board also approved an updated public‑comment policy that staff had revised at the commissioners’ direction.

The board authorized a county counsel/board order (2025‑10) to allow the county counselor to take action to secure Leavenworth County’s share of multi‑party opioid settlements and to file required paperwork. County staff said the eventual settlement amounts depend on which jurisdictions participate and that the board needed to avoid missing procedural deadlines.

Votes at a glance: - Consent agenda: approved (motion and second; recorded as three affirmative votes). - MSW and C&D minimums: approved (motion by Commissioner Duff; second and recorded affirmative votes). - Gate-rate increase ($2/ton): approved (motion and second; recorded affirmative votes). - Health-plan rate-card amendment (2025–2026): approved (motion, second; recorded affirmative votes). - Surplus equipment sale on Purple Wave: approved (motion, second; recorded affirmative votes). - 230 Fifth Street contract with Eberk Construction ($4,301,411.96): approved with 7.5% contingency (motion, second; recorded affirmative votes). - Updated public‑comment policy: approved (motion, second; recorded affirmative votes). - Board order 2025‑10 (opioid settlements authorization): approved (motion, second; recorded affirmative votes).

Where it matters: The rate changes were framed as necessary to keep the solid‑waste enterprise fund self‑supporting after the contractor’s CPI adjustment. The contract approval advances a grant‑funded construction project for 230 Fifth Street while the opioid authorization preserves the county’s ability to accept settlement shares without missing legal deadlines.