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Commission delays vote on $76,000 jail water softener after technical questions

Board of County Commissioners, Coffey County, Kansas · May 4, 2026
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Summary

After reviewing test results and vendor recommendations, the commission postponed action on installing a new jail water softener system (quadriplex option ~ $76,000) and requested additional flushing tests and city coordination before a final motion.

Sheriff's staff and county facilities personnel presented water-quality photos and test results for the jail plumbing and discussed vendor recommendations for a water softening installation. Representatives from Macaroy described options and recommended the quadriplex softener for the building. The quadriplex option was quoted at about $76,000.

City of Burlington staff confirmed routine hydrant flushing and chlorine burnouts are performed seasonally; Macaroy representatives and county plumbing staff recommended isolating and flushing the line from the main to the building and repeating flushing immediately before connecting any softener. Engineers cautioned that while a softener will reduce hardness and some sediments, ongoing maintenance and occasional filter/strainer cleaning will still be required. "The quadrlex is what they recommend. And that's $76,000," a vendor stated during the meeting.

Commissioners asked staff to gather additional information (photos, flushing logs and an isolated-line flush with the city), to confirm bids and to return with a formal motion and contract language at a later meeting rather than vote immediately; the board said the procurement could be placed on next week's agenda or postponed to allow more information to be collected.