The Sherman County Board of Commissioners approved a series of routine and project‑specific items during its January meeting, including a land purchase from the Tompkins Trust, acceptance of an amended tax‑sale petition, several contract awards, and authorization to pursue pavilion fundraising at the fairgrounds.

On a motion from Unidentified Speaker 3, seconded by Unidentified Speaker 2, the board approved acquisition of a tract of land from the Tompkins Trust "as written." Commissioners discussed the parcellocation — described in the meeting as extending from Highway 27 to city property and offering potential access to the hospital — during the same exchange.

The board also accepted an amended petition for an upcoming tax sale after Speaker 4 confirmed title work and reported the amended petition now lists additional potential interested owners. Speaker 4 said the county began with 32 parcels in the original petition, 15 of which have since been redeemed; he noted roughly $200,000 in unpaid back taxes would remain if those parcels were not redeemed.

A routine agreement with the State of Kansas for annual noxious‑weed spraying along rights‑of‑way was approved after Speaker 3 moved to accept the cost‑share agreement and Speaker 2 seconded the motion.

On procurement, commissioners reviewed two bids for porta‑potty service at Smoky Gardens. Speaker 1 read bids from Northwest Kansas Pumping ($7,900) and Topside Portables ($9,450). Speaker 3 moved to accept Northwest Kansas Pumping's $7,900 annual bid for 2026; Speaker 2 seconded and the motion passed by voice vote. Commissioners discussed vandalism and venting problems with existing restroom structures and the logistical placement of units.

The board approved the standard library contract for 2026 on a motion from Speaker 3 and second from Speaker 1. Commissioners also approved listed tax‑roll corrections in a grouped motion (items 76 and 78–84) after discussing a software issue affecting project tax entries.

Separately, commissioners agreed to support a fairgrounds pavilion project: they measured the area around a poured slab, estimated about 31 cubic yards of concrete (roughly $6,200 in cement costs) for surrounding pours, and authorized a fundraising approach (donor bricks or plaques) run by the friends group. Speaker 5 reported the Sherman County Community Foundation awarded $4,000 to the pavilion fund through Match Day; board discussion clarified the county will initially pay invoices and the friends group or donors will reimburse the county.

Other business: the board acknowledged a $500 dues notice from Western Kansas Western Prairie RC&D, noted recent wind damage at the fairgrounds animal barn and health department roofing, and moved into short executive sessions (personnel). The meeting adjourned by voice vote.

Votes at a glance (from meeting record):
- Land purchase from Tompkins Trust: motion made by Unidentified Speaker 3, seconded by Unidentified Speaker 2; approved by voice vote.
- Amended tax‑sale petition: motion made by Unidentified Speaker 3; approved by voice vote.
- Noxious‑weed cost‑share with State of Kansas: motion made by Unidentified Speaker 3, seconded by Unidentified Speaker 2; approved by voice vote.
- Library contract for 2026: motion made by Unidentified Speaker 3; approved by voice vote.
- Tax corrections (items 76, 78–84): motion made by Unidentified Speaker 2, seconded by Unidentified Speaker 3; approved by voice vote.
- Porta‑potty contract (Smoky Gardens) to Northwest Kansas Pumping, $7,900 annual: motion made by Unidentified Speaker 3, seconded by Unidentified Speaker 2; approved by voice vote.

Next steps: staff to solicit contractor bids for the pavilion concrete, coordinate donor recognition logistics with the friends group, process the Community Foundation grant and reimbursements, and follow up on insurance inspections for wind damage.