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Cowley County commissioners approve radios, bridge engineering contract, tax-judgment dormancy order and new hygiene assistance policy
Summary
In a single session the Cowley County commission approved a series of routine but substantive items including purchase of 30 encrypted handheld radios, an engineering agreement for 15 bridge replacements with a $830,200 upper limit, an order declaring some personal property tax judgments dormant under KSA 79-2101, and a Hygiene and Basic Needs Assistance Program policy; a retired employee criticized the wage study during public comment.
Cowley County commissioners on Nov. 13 approved several operational and policy items during a regular meeting.
The board approved the purchase of 30 Kenwood handheld radios with dual-band and encryption capability from Advantage Communications, not to exceed $167,263.20. Sheriff David Falletti explained the current radios are about 20 years old and operate on a single frequency; commissioners said available surplus in the general fund and the special law enforcement budget covers the expense. The motion to purchase passed 3-0.
The commission also approved an engineering services agreement with Kirkham Michael to support replacement of 15 county bridges using federal, state and local funds, with a total project upper limit of $830,200.00. Vice Chairman Jim Maxwell moved and Commissioner Alan Groom seconded the approval; the motion passed 3-0.
County Treasurer Maci DeCoudres presented an order declaring unpaid personal property tax judgments that have been uncollected more than 20 years and judgments under $50 as dormant under K.S.A. 79-2101. The commission approved Order 2025-01, 3-0.
Community Based Services Director Brennan Hadley presented a Hygiene and Basic Needs Assistance Program policy for Cowley County Community Based Services; the commission voted 3-0 to adopt the policy.
Jon Jordan presented Resolution No. 2025-24, the South Central Solid Waste Authority 2025 Annual Waste Management Plan; the only change was updating committee members and contact information. The resolution was approved 3-0.
During public comment, former Cowley County employee John Butters criticized county pay at the time of his retirement and said he had raised concerns multiple times with human resources, the county administrator and the sheriff. Butters said he received a small increase after the county’s wage study and remained dissatisfied; the transcript records his remarks but shows no formal response recorded during the meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 8:46 a.m.
