Bill Rippon was elected chair of the Shawnee County Board of County Commissioners in a unanimous vote during the board’s Jan. 12 meeting. An unnamed commissioner nominated Rippon; Aaron Mays seconded the nomination and the motion passed 3-0.

The commission also appointed Kevin Cook as vice chair by unanimous vote. Commissioners discussed committee assignments and approved a slate of board and committee appointments, moving the intergovernmental council assignment from Commissioner Rippon to Commissioner Aaron Mays.

County staff presented and the board adopted resolution R2026001 to set courthouse days and hours and to move regular commission meetings to Thursdays with work sessions on Mondays. The board designated the Metro News as the official county newspaper under resolution R2026002, after confirming there were no other applicants.

During routine business commissioners approved the consent agenda and vouchers totaling $7,128,759.20. The voucher report included a $2,296,282 payment to Alliant Insurance Services from the general fund, a $350,277.30 payment to Bedas Asphalt Construction for Timber Ridge Phase 7 (special assessment funds), and a $775,318.09 progress payment to KBS Constructors Inc. for work on the Department of Corrections mental health facility (funded by a state grant). Commissioners approved the voucher payments 3-0.

The board also approved ministerial items including correction orders and a set of committee assignments. No executive session was called, and the meeting continued to scheduled public hearings later in the agenda.