Atchison County commission approves server purchase, contracts, handbook change and RFP

Atchison County commissioners on March 10 approved a set of routine purchases, contract approvals and a personnel handbook change during a business‑session meeting at the county courthouse.

The board approved a purchase order of $29,189.90 to buy a new server for the county attorney; the purchase will be paid from the county's reserve fund and passed on a 3–0 voice vote.

Commissioners also approved the fiscal year 2027 comprehensive plans for adult community corrections and juvenile services as presented by the community corrections director (vote 3–0).

County Clerk Susan Carrian presented a multi‑year natural gas quote from Symmetry Energy Solutions, described in the meeting materials as covering April 1, 2026, through March 31, 2029; the commission approved the quote (vote 3–0).

The board approved purchase orders to make scheduled road and bridge bond payments submitted by the road and bridge department to the Kansas State Treasurer; the commission recorded approval by voice vote. (Meeting materials listed installment payments and remaining principal balances; amounts quoted in the spoken record contained transcription artifacts and were not restated here to avoid misreporting.)

The commission reviewed a purchase order covering 41 hours of county counselor contract labor and discussed allowing routine processing of similar invoices before formal meeting review to avoid payment delays; commissioners agreed the practice may continue with regular meeting review.

On personnel policy, the commission amended section 4.13 of the county personnel handbook to explicitly include "part‑time B" employees in overtime pay for hours worked on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Commissioners discussed whether the change also confers holiday pay in addition to overtime and agreed the language will provide both overtime and holiday pay as the board understood it; the amendment passed 3–0.

The board also reviewed and updated an RFP for mowing at the county lake, debated insurance thresholds (discussion compared $500,000 and $1,000,000 minimums) and directed the clerk to require proof of comprehensive liability insurance and workers' compensation for any employees; the RFP was approved for publication (vote 3–0).

No opposition votes were recorded in the regular session. Several items were deferred for additional paperwork or clarification — including a real property disaster relief application for a fire loss that staff recommended be taken up next week with the correct forms.

The commission adjourned the regular meeting and recessed into a workshop by unanimous voice vote.