Cloud County commissioners approve procurement, personnel actions and review 2026 budget requests

The Cloud County Board of Commissioners on May 12 approved a series of routine procurement and personnel actions, reviewed department budget requests for 2026 and recorded payroll totals during its regular meeting in the commissioners’ room at 811 Washington in Concordia.

Chairman Michael Cleveland called the meeting to order at 9 a.m. and the board heard reports from county staff. Jeff Thoman, Maintenance Manager, told commissioners the Highway Department will perform concrete repairs to courthouse sidewalks, had assisted the Health Department with a water‑pipe leak, and that a fire inspection is scheduled this week. James Quillen, Emergency Preparedness Director, said emergency books will be ready for departmental pickup and discussed the Local Emergency Operations Plan, the Mesonet tower and a generator grant.

Representatives from OCCK — Sheila Nelson‑Stout, Kendra Krier, Susan Sprague and Kevin Hess — presented a 2026 budget request for $70,000,…