Commissioners add JEO survey contract to consent agenda and approve full consent package

Reno County commissioners agreed to add an agreement with JEO Consulting Group for surveying work on Mills and McNew Road — a project tied to the Evergy-related industrial park — to the consent agenda and subsequently approved the full consent agenda.

Dawn Britton, director of public works, told the board the item covers preliminary engineering and "boots on the ground" surveying to meet tight project deadlines; she said the contract is part of a state base grant passed through partner organizations and is intended to enable the engineering firm to mobilize quickly.

A commissioner raised a question about whether local surveyors were considered; Britton said the engineering firm will select necessary subcontractors and the request is time-sensitive to meet state-imposed timelines. Commissioners moved to include the JEO agreement in the consent agenda and later approved the consent agenda by roll-call vote with all present voting yes.

County staff said the JEO agreement is the first phase of work and additional JEO agreements for follow-on tasks could be brought to the board at a future meeting. Commissioners also discussed interlocal updates to the NRP program with participating municipalities and clarified that the JEO work uses grant funds and not county general funds.

Next steps: The JEO contract will be processed under the consent agenda approval; staff will return with any subsequent agreements as required.