Osage County Commission approves bridge contracts, sewer change order and authorizes CHIPS letter of support; multiple routine personnel, procurement and pay‑w‑

The Osage County Commission on Dec. 16 voted on a series of formal items across public works, sewer infrastructure, economic‑development support and routine personnel and procurement actions. Highlights and formal outcomes are listed below.

Votes at a glance

- Bridges: Commissioners voted to approve contracts to proceed with construction for Bridge 220 (280 Fifth/Davis Road) and Bridge 390 (state project BSM 390 / KDOT project). The low bidder for both projects was reported as Brian Ohlmeyer / Ohlmeyer Construction; commissioners approved moving forward with Ohlmeyer Construction for both bridges. (Motion approved, unanimous “Aye.”)

- Trucks / equipment financing: Commissioners authorized execution of a lease/purchase agreement with First Security Bank (loan/lease paperwork for a county truck) and approved taking the previously authorized financing forward. (Motion approved, unanimous “Aye.”)

- Sewer district change order: The commission approved Change Order No. 3 for the Osage County main and lateral sewer project (to replace defective liner and add a manufacturer/installation warranty per the presented terms). The county attorney and district staff said the contractor had not yet signed but the district recommended executing the change order and returning to the board if the contractor refused. (Motion approved, unanimous “Aye.”)

- Lagoon loan extension and sewer loan amendment: The commission approved amending loan terms for the lagoon project and authorized steps to increase the mill levy in future budget cycles as necessary to pay increased debt service, contingent on review/confirmation by the county financial officer (Scott). Commissioners and staff discussed KDHE (Kansas Department of Health and Environment) disbursement procedures and the need to reconcile transfers into the sewer fund; the motion included direction to coordinate with the county budget officer. (Motion approved, unanimous “Aye.”)

- CHIPS / economic development letter of support: The commission voted to authorize the chairman (Les Holman) to sign a letter of support for a regional CHIPS/GaN semiconductor site initiative and to authorize staff (Colleen) to collect additional municipal and stakeholder signatures for a letter drafted by Representative Garrett. Willie Prescott and other regional representatives briefed the commission on the initiative during the meeting. Commissioners authorized circulation and signature collection and requested staff forward copies to the region’s congressional offices. (Motion approved, unanimous “Aye.”)

- Sheriff's office personnel and purchase order: Commissioners approved payroll status reports for two new sheriff’s hires and approved a purchase order (PO #4005) to Angel Armor in the amount of $11,850 to be paid from the Sheriff’s Fund. (Motions approved, unanimous “Aye.”)

- Other personnel and fiscal items: The commission approved a hiring action for a county clerk position (appraiser's office hire), approved a one‑year step raise for an existing employee after performance review, and approved tax roll corrections and election worker pay rates for 2025 as presented. (Motions approved, unanimous “Aye.”)

- Licenses and other routine approvals: Commissioners approved several cereal malt beverage license applications and other routine items listed on the agenda. (Motions approved, unanimous “Aye.”)

What commissioners said and next steps

Chair Les Holman and county staff asked departments to provide documentation supporting loan amendments and disbursement schedules for state KDHE reimbursements. For the sewer loan amendment staff were instructed to work with the county financial officer to confirm how increased debt service will be covered in the next budget cycle and to report back before final loan execution.

For the CHIPS letter of support the commission asked staff to circulate the representative’s draft letter and to gather municipal and stakeholder signatures; commissioners indicated the letter could be co‑signed by the commission chairman and others.

For the bridges, staff will secure the contractor signatures and return signed contracts and appropriate signature pages to the commission file.

Formal actions (structured)

[Actions recorded below are reconstructed from meeting minutes and the recorded vote; all motions listed were approved by unanimous voice vote unless otherwise noted.]

1) Kind: contract award (bridge) motion: "Approve moving forward with Ohlmeyer Construction for Bridge Number 220 and Bridge Number 390." mover: not specified second: not specified vote_record:[{"member":"Les Holman","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Michelle Morris","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Josh","vote":"yes"}] tally:{"yes":3,"no":0,"abstain":0} outcome:"approved" notes:"Staff to obtain signed contracts/signature pages; KDOT project numbers discussed in presentation."

2) Kind: contract_award (lease/purchase) motion: "Authorize chairman to sign lease agreement with First Security Bank for purchase of county truck." mover: not specified second: not specified vote_record:[{"member":"Les Holman","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Michelle Morris","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Josh","vote":"yes"}] tally:{"yes":3,"no":0} outcome:"approved"

3) Kind: change motion: "Execute Change Order No. 3 for the Osage County main and lateral sewer project as presented." notes:"Change order to replace defective liner (6,300 linear feet) and provide 15‑year manufacturer/labor warranty; contractor signature pending; board authorized chair to execute as appropriate." outcome:"approved"

4) Kind: loan (sewer lagoon) motion: "Approve loan term amendments and take steps to increase the mill levy in future budget cycles as required to pay increased debt service, contingent on confirmation from the county financial officer." notes:"KDHE/KDG disbursement process discussed; county staff to reconcile transfers and coordinate with financial officer Scott before finalizing." outcome:"approved"

5) Kind: resolution / letter of support (economic development) motion: "Authorize chairman to sign the letter of support for the regional CHIPS/GaN semiconductor initiative and authorize Colleen to collect additional municipal signatures and circulate the letter." outcome:"approved"

6) Kind: personnel motion: "Approve payroll status change reports / two new hires for Sheriff's Office and other personnel actions as presented." outcome:"approved"

7) Kind: purchase_order motion: "Approve payment of PO #4005 to Angel Armor in the amount of $11,850 from the Sheriff's Fund." outcome:"approved"

8) Kind: administrative motion: "Approve election worker pay resolution and other routine license and tax roll correction items as presented." outcome:"approved"

Provenance and next reportbacks

Commission staff were asked to return with signed bridge contracts and to confirm financial reconciliations for sewer disbursements and mill‑levy adjustments. The CHIPS letter will be circulated to municipalities for signatures and forwarded to the region’s congressional offices once collected.