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Brown County commissioners approve updated salary scale, IT purchase and participation in America250 celebration
Summary
At their May 11 meeting, the Brown County Board of Commissioners approved an amended 2026 salary and wage scale, authorized the purchase of five HP desktop workstations for $5,389.85, directed staff to submit employee health insurance data for quotes, and agreed to participate in a potential America250 Kansas Counties celebration; the board recessed several times for executive sessions and took no action during those sessions.
Chairman Lucas Heinen presided over the Brown County Board of Commissioners’ regular meeting on May 11, 2026, at 1:00 p.m., where the board approved personnel, procurement and administrative items and recessed several times for executive sessions without taking public action.
The board approved an amended 2026 Salary and Wage Scale that added or updated positions including Solid Waste Director, Road and Bridge Superintendent and a part‑time Emergency Management Coordinator after Commissioner William Pollock moved for approval and Commissioner Richard Tesoriero seconded; the motion carried. The updated scale was presented to the commission for consideration as part of the personnel and budget items on the agenda.
I.T. Director Dallas Johnson presented an additional quote for five HP desktop workstations. Chairman Heinen moved to approve the purchase of the five HP workstations from GovConnections in the amount of $5,389.85; Commissioner Tesoriero seconded and the motion carried. The board’s action authorized the county to proceed with the purchase as described in the IT presentation.
Representatives from OneDigital, Jessica Hawkins and Greg Watkins, briefed the commission on current employee health benefits and upcoming insurance renewals. Following that presentation, Chairman Heinen moved to submit county employee health insurance data to Saylor Insurance for quoting purposes; Commissioner Tesoriero seconded and the motion carried. The board did not adopt a new insurance plan at the meeting but authorized staff to solicit quotes.
The commission also received information from the Kansas State Fair Events Coordinator about an opportunity for counties to participate in an America 250 - Kansas Counties Celebration tied to the 250th anniversary of the United States. Commissioner Richard Tesoriero moved that Brown County participate in the potential America250 effort if at least 56 counties agree to take part; Commissioner Pollock seconded and the motion carried.
Routine business included approval of the May 4, 2026 minutes (moved by Commissioner Pollock, seconded by Commissioner Tesoriero) and approval of accounts payable for May 11, 2026 (moved by Commissioner Tesoriero, seconded by Commissioner Pollock). The clerk presented fund payment totals for the meeting: General $28,761.55; Road & Bridge $2,990.19; Employee Benefits $81.10; Election $115.75; Appraiser $132.10; Noxious Weed $50.34; Diversion $1,048.36; 911 SB50 $108.08; ACC $1,970.91; JJCR $2,352.95; Services for Elderly $678.30; Solid Waste $10,689.34; total $48,978.97.
The board recessed multiple times into executive session during the afternoon. At 3:33 p.m. the commission met in a 10‑minute attorney‑client executive session to discuss potential legal liability; they returned at 3:43 p.m. with no action announced. At 3:45 p.m. the board recessed for a 10‑minute executive session at the request of I.T. Director Dallas Johnson to discuss information systems security measures; that session concluded at 3:55 p.m. Additional short executive sessions followed later in the meeting to again discuss potential legal liability and the pay and performance of non‑elected personnel; each returned to open session with no formal action taken. County Counselor Austin Parker and County Clerk Nicole Lee were present during portions of the executive sessions as noted in the minutes.
Chairman Heinen moved to adjourn at 4:17 p.m.; Commissioner Tesoriero seconded and the meeting was adjourned. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 18, 2026, at 1:00 p.m.
