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Cowley County commissioners approve loader repair, contract for Brown Bridge and request county‑roads study
Summary
The Cowley County Board of County Commission on Oct. 7 approved routine consent items, authorized up to $39,951.75 for a Winfield shop front‑end loader repair, awarded an engineering contract for OS 101 (Brown Bridge) to Kirkham Michael, agreed to an MOU with Arkansas City on outdoor sirens, and asked staff to issue an RFP to study a county‑unit road system.
The Cowley County Board of County Commission met Oct. 7, 2025, approved routine consent items and several procurement and intergovernmental measures, and asked staff to seek outside analysis of a possible county unit road system.
Chairman Wayne Wilt and Vice Chairman Jim Maxwell voted 2-0 to approve the meeting’s consent agenda, which included the Sept. 16 minutes, the payment register through Oct. 7, abatement corrections and the third‑quarter financial statement for publication. County Clerk Karen Madison presented the consent items.
County Administrator Lucas Goff told commissioners he would like to issue a request for proposals to hire an outside firm to evaluate what it would take for Cowley County to adopt a county unit system — a change that would shift responsibility for maintaining all county roads to the county. Goff said an independent assessment would provide the information commissioners need before considering a resolution to pursue the change.
Public Works Superintendent Jon Jordan asked the board to approve repairs to the Winfield shop’s front‑end loader, noting two of three vendors declined to bid the job. The commission authorized the repair not to exceed $39,951.75. Jordan also reported that two of six engineering firms submitted statements of qualifications for the OS 101 (Brown Bridge) project. After discussion, the commission awarded the engineering contract to Kirkham Michael.
The commission approved a memorandum of understanding with the City of Arkansas City that clarifies ownership of outdoor warning sirens and establishes which jurisdiction has the first responsibility to sound them.
Brennan Hadley, director of Community Based Services, presented the agency’s FY26 case plan and noted the program had a 79% success rate in FY25, above the Kansas Department of Corrections’ recommended 75% threshold. The commission approved the FY26 case plan as presented.
Goff presented Road and Bridge project reports for October and asked that the board consolidate November meetings into one session on Nov. 13 at 8:00 a.m., with the election canvass to follow at 9:00 a.m., to accommodate HVAC‑related office displacement; the commission approved the schedule change. The board also authorized signing a letter of support for Twin Rivers Developmental Supports, Inc.’s General Public Transportation Grant application and heard a ministerial alliance request to begin providing opening prayers at commission meetings beginning January 2026; Goff said a resolution to begin the process will be presented at a future meeting. Goff also shared Kansas Public Notice KS‑Q‑22‑156 for the Winfield Municipal Power Plant.
With no further business, the commission adjourned at 9:26 a.m.
