Ford County commissioners back landfill repairs, transfer sheriff vehicle and award bridge contract

The Ford County Board of County Commissioners on March 2 approved a package of routine business and several procurement actions, including repair work at the county landfill, a short-term equipment rental, a fleet transfer and the award of a bridge replacement contract.

Chairman Gary Thomas called the meeting to order. County Clerk Debbie Cox asked to amend the consent agenda to add a cereal malt beverage application from Outlaw Production d/b/a Dodge City Raceway Park; Commissioner Chris Boys moved to add the item and Commissioner Shawn Tasset seconded. The amendment passed 3-0 and the board approved the consent agenda and claims for payment totaling $1,089,850.22 (motion by Commissioner Chris Boys; second by Chairman Gary Thomas).

During public comment, resident Brenda Frey said she had seen a newspaper notice about salt water being pumped into the ground adjacent to her property and asked who controls the operation, whether the county has a road maintenance agreement with the company for hauling, and whether severance tax is distributed to townships or road and bridge. Commissioner Chris Boys said the operator has an office on Frontview called Kansas Oil and Gas and that the county does not have a road maintenance agreement with that company; County Clerk Debbie Cox said questions about severance tax distribution should be addressed by the county treasurer.

The board voted unanimously to sign a letter of support for HB 2781 after a request from Kent Stehlik, president of the Ford County Historical Society, which seeks to enable the state historical society to acquire the junior officers' quarters at Fort Dodge (motion by Commissioner Chris Boys; second by Commissioner Shawn Tasset).

Landfill Director Michael Brown requested approval of a Murphy Tractor service quote to repair a John Deere bulldozer. The minutes record the quote as $43,625.20 in the presentation but list the motion amount as $43,626.20; Commissioner Shawn Tasset moved to approve and Chairman Gary Thomas seconded, with the motion carrying 3-0. The minutes show a clerical discrepancy between the presented quote and the motion amount; the board approved the repair despite the difference and the record should be reconciled by staff.

Mr. Brown also presented a quote from Foley to rent a bulldozer for $14,716.00; the board approved that rental (motion by Chairman Gary Thomas; second by Commissioner Chris Boys).

Undersheriff Dale Colman clarified that a 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 pickup was to be transferred from the Sheriff’s Department to the Noxious Weed Department (not the GIS/Survey Department). The board amended the agenda to reflect that correction and approved the transfer (motion by Commissioner Shawn Tasset; second by Commissioner Chris Boys).

Building & Grounds Director Manny Fernandez was authorized to go out for bids to rebid 75 fan heating/cooling units for the Ford County Government Center (motion by Commissioner Shawn Tasset; second by Chairman Gary Thomas).

Ford County Engineer Jon Halbgewachs delivered a multi-point update: APAC’s previously approved bid of $3,763,744.75 covers Garnett Road reclamation (construction anticipated in April or May); staff have solicited geotechnical services for 113 Road; Bridge OS 50 was resubmitted for KDOT funding with selections expected in June; OS Bridge 31 requires land acquisition before final design and bid; the Stellar Forge Road Use and Maintenance Agreement has been approved and pre-construction pavement documentation was performed; and Ford County is a partner in a Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Safety Action Plan led by Gray County and funded 100% by the Federal Highway Administration and the State of Kansas.

Engineer Halbgewachs presented bid results for Bridge OS 101: Reece Construction submitted the low bid of $428,732.39 and L & M Contractors submitted $438,714.50. The board approved the low bid from Reece Construction (motion by Commissioner Shawn Tasset; second by Chairman Gary Thomas), 3-0.

The board recessed twice into executive session to discuss attorney-client privileged matters related to the Ford County Zoning Regulations under K.S.A. 75-4319(b)(2); the minutes list the county counselor, assistant county counselor Samantha Sweley, the county administrator and planning staff among those included. The board returned to open session as recorded and adjourned at 5:05 p.m.

Votes at a glance: the minutes record each motion below as passed by a 3-0 vote of Chairman Gary Thomas, Commissioner Chris Boys and Commissioner Shawn Tasset: amendment to add CMB application (approve amendment); approval of amended consent agenda; approval of claims ($1,089,850.22); approval to sign letter supporting HB 2781; approval of landfill repair (quote recorded $43,625.20; motion recorded $43,626.20); approval of Foley dozer rental ($14,716.00); approval to transfer 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 to the Noxious Weed Department; authorization to go out for bids on 75 fan HVAC units; award Bridge OS 101 to Reece Construction ($428,732.39).

The meeting record includes a clerical numeric discrepancy for the Murphy Tractor repair quote that staff should correct in the official minutes. The board did not take final action on zoning regulations during open session; legal advice was handled in executive session under the Kansas Open Meetings Act.

(Reporting based on the Ford County commissioners' meeting minutes for March 2, 2026.)