Shawnee County commissioners approve vouchers, contracts and funding allocations including $3 million for mental-health services
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Summary
The board approved nearly $4.0 million in vouchers, multiple contract renewals and extensions, a $3 million mental-health services agreement with Astra, a Gage Park entrance sign costing $315,436.28, and several IT and election-office items in a routine package of actions.
At their Dec. 22 meeting, Shawnee County commissioners approved a series of routine and budget items including nearly $4.0 million in voucher payments, multiple contract renewals and a $3 million allocation for community mental-health services.
The county clerk reported total vouchers of $3,992,923.03. Large voucher items included $384,700 to Bet Us Asphalt (Sherwood improvement district project; funded by Sherwood maintenance funds), $181,879 to Concrete Unlimited Construction for a Gage Park project funded by the Gage Park sales tax, and $351,651.53 to Kings Construction for progress on the Auburn Road/29th Street project funded by the infrastructure fund. The board approved the consent agenda, which included the voucher list.
In other approved items:
- The treasurer, Susan Duffy, won approval for a four-year extension of the Loomis SafePoint contract that manages smart safes at two county locations.
- The election office obtained approval to move 2025 funds into three project funds, including a $5,000 placeholder for mail-ballot envelopes pending legislative changes and $4,000 set aside as a 10% match for an expected Secretary of State security grant.
- Information Technology completed a reassignment of a GovBuilt contract to MCCI LLC and approved a $38,235.65 annual renewal for planning/permitting software. The board also approved a $187,459.20 second-year payment to Optiv for cybersecurity services and a $29,950 contract with Carahsoft for a countywide 'Gov AI' desktop tool; IT staff said the Gov AI product includes safeguards to prevent disclosure of PII.
- Human Resources approved a contract with Spanish Professional Consulting LLC to update Spanish-proficiency testing fees (increase from $60 to $100 per applicant; $80 for virtual testing), the first change since 2013.
- Parks Director Tim Lorett presented a proposed $315,436.28 entrance sign for Gage Park, with $110,000 from the Gage Park Improvement Authority discretionary fund and $205,436.28 from Gage Park sales-tax funds. Lorett said the sign's stonework nods to the park's archway and that an integrated marquee will allow event and safety messaging. Commissioners approved the project.
- The sheriff's office asked to transfer remaining 2025 budgeted funds into the law enforcement equipment and technology fund to support planned projects; the board approved the transfer.
- The board approved a $3,000,000 contract with Astra Mental Health and Recovery for community mental-health services in 2026; financial staff said the agreement incorporates recurring allocations, one-time general-fund merger funding and $170,000 of opioid-settlement funds.
- Commissioner Bill Rippon appointed Irene Haas to the SVEC advisory board beginning in January; the appointment was approved.
Most motions were approved unanimously (recorded as passing 3 to 0). Commissioners and department staff provided brief presentations and answered questions before routine approvals.