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Crawford County commissioners approve clerk’s report, authorize executive sessions and discuss roads and budget
Summary
At its May 8, 2026 meeting in Girard the Crawford County Board of Commissioners approved the April Clerk’s Report and the consent agenda, authorized multiple executive sessions (personnel, legal/911, zoning), discussed asphalting, culvert inventory and dust control, and scheduled budget work sessions.
The Crawford County Board of Commissioners met May 8, 2026 in the courthouse board room in Girard and approved routine business, authorized several closed executive sessions and discussed road maintenance and budget-related items.
The board approved the consent agenda (motion 26-226) and later approved the April 2026 Clerk’s Report on a roll-call vote (motion 26-227). Clerk Lisa Lusker presented the report with Fiscal Office annotations; Commissioners noted lower spending compared with the prior month. The meeting record shows multiple motions on file for signature, including motions authorizing closed executive sessions regarding legal advice on 'ghost properties' (motion 26-224) and 911 (motion 26-225).
Commissioners discussed county road priorities. Commissioner Carl Wood said an asphalting plan developed at a prior work session should work and help crews catch up on delayed maintenance. Wood asked for numbers on culverts already replaced or paid for, noting prices have risen; Commissioner Bruce Blair said the county conducted a culvert inventory last year that included condition and material (metal vs. plastic) and that he would bring that information after the upcoming Regional Planning meeting. Wood also raised dust-control planning ahead of the June 1 season start.
Commissioner Blair reported on a Hutchinson meeting, saying many counties face similar problems; he also attended a recovery court graduation and recommended other commissioners attend. "The ceremony is a celebration and it is humbling to talk to these individuals," Blair said; he said five people graduated.
On personnel and legal matters the board recessed into several authorized closed sessions. Motion 26-228 authorized a 20-minute executive session to discuss non-elected EMS personnel matters under K.S.A. 75-4319(b)(1); motion 26-229 authorized a 30-minute session to receive legal advice about zoning under K.S.A. 75-4319(b)(2). In each case the board reconvened the open meeting and took no formal action from the closed sessions.
Budget items: County Clerk Lisa Lusker said a May 19 work session will review departmental submissions. Commissioner Wood asked for departmental carryover and percentage-use figures; County Counselor Jim Emerson clarified which funds were general fund versus other funds and confirmed casino revenue and windfarm receipts are included in budget calculations. Commissioner Blair clarified the county does not maintain a separate reserve fund and Emerson explained the county typically budgets only what it needs and relies on carryover when necessary.
The board scheduled near-term work sessions to sign midmonth bills and payroll vouchers on May 15 at 8:30 AM and a budget work session on May 19 at 9:00 AM. The meeting adjourned at 11:09 AM on a motion by Commissioner Tom Moody and second by Commissioner Carl Wood.
Votes at a glance: Motion 26-226 (consent agenda) — approved; Motion 26-227 (approve April 2026 Clerk’s Report) — approved (roll call: Blair, Moody, Wood yeas); Motion 26-224 (authorize 15-minute exec session re ghost properties) — recorded as passed on motion list; Motion 26-225 (authorize 10-minute exec session re 911) — recorded as passed on motion list; Motion 26-228 (20-minute exec session re EMS personnel) — approved; Motion 26-229 (30-minute exec session re zoning legal advice) — approved; Motion 26-230 (resume Planning and Zoning Board meetings to consider survey) — approved.
