Geary County commission hears CVB report; approves local printing contract and magazine ad, reappoints planning commissioner

Geary County commissioners on Monday received a report from the county Convention & Visitors Bureau and the newly seated Register, approved a local printing contract for the county visitor guide and a half‑page Kansas Magazine advertisement, and voted to reappoint a planning commission member.

The Register, who took office in September, told commissioners her office finished the image‑upload phase of an older‑records indexing project covering records from 1980 through 1987 and said about 900 documents remain for 1985. "We did 1980 through 1987," she said, adding staff cross‑training and remote access software have improved the office’s ability to serve residents while the Register attends training and meetings.

The Register said she reinstated an escrow system for copy charges and will require annual written agreements for organizations that access records online so fees and due dates are clear. She also said the office is exploring enabling credit–card payments and will report back on setup costs and any fees.

Rick Dykstra, director of the Geary County Convention & Visitors Bureau, presented three bids for the county’s visitor guide and recommended a local vendor. Commissioner (Speaker 3) moved to authorize the CVB director to sign a contract with the bureau’s recommended vendor (KSU Printing was discussed during the presentation); the motion was seconded and the chair called the motion carried.

Dykstra also requested a $10,000 sponsorship to fund interpretive signage for a new visitors’ pavilion at the Konza Prairie Biological Station and said Konza draws about 30,000 to 45,000 visitors annually from across the country. Jill Hocus, Konza Prairie’s director of education, described a plan for seven informational panels at the pavilion and asked the commission to consider supporting signage and an I‑70 exit sign request to the state. Commissioners asked to see sign mockups before committing funding and deferred any decision pending additional information.

On advertising, Dykstra presented a proposed updated half‑page Kansas Magazine ad with a QR code and a call‑to‑action and asked the commission to approve the $995 placement. Commissioners discussed formatting and imagery, made a motion that was seconded, and the commission approved the ad.

Separately, the commission voted to reappoint Cynthia (listed in the record as "Cynthia Care 1") to the Geary County Planning Commission for a three‑year term after a motion and voice vote.

Votes at a glance - Visitor‑guide printing contract: motion to authorize CVB director to sign contract (mover: Commissioner (Speaker 3); second: Commissioner (Speaker 7)); outcome: approved (motion carries). - Kansas Magazine half‑page ad: $995 approval for updated ad; outcome: approved (voice vote). - Planning Commission reappointment: reappointment of Cynthia to a three‑year term; outcome: approved (voice vote).

What’s next The Register will follow up on a potential credit–card payment system for the office and the CVB will provide sign mockups and additional details about the Konza Prairie sponsorship request. Commissioners scheduled no immediate funding vote for the Konza request and asked for design materials before further consideration.