Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the County Governance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Jefferson County commissioners approve sewer-district fees, land-bank lot sales and administrative agreements
Summary
The Jefferson County Board of Commissioners on Nov. 10 approved Resolution 2025-035 setting fees and policies for county-operated sewer districts, sold four land-bank lots for $2,000 each pair, authorized an EB-2 recommendation letter, and approved a juvenile housing agreement with Johnson County; two brief executive sessions were held and no binding action resulted.
Commissioner David Christy, Commissioner Richard Malm and Commissioner Doug Walbridge met in regular session on Nov. 10, 2025, and approved a series of administrative actions affecting county operations and property. The board passed a sewer-district fee schedule, completed land-bank sales, authorized a recommendation letter for an immigration waiver, and approved an intercounty juvenile housing agreement.
Stephan Metzger, the county’s Community Development Director, presented Resolution 2025-035, "Establishing Fees and Policies for County-Operated Sewer Districts." Commissioner Doug Walbridge moved to approve the resolution; Richard Malm seconded and the motion carried unanimously. The resolution sets county policy for fees and operations of sewer districts (resolution number 2025-035). Specific fee amounts and implementation details were presented by Metzger and adopted by the board as part of the motion (resolution passed Nov. 10, 2025).
The board recessed and convened as the Jefferson County Land Bank Board to consider property sales. Shannon Hendrix of Ozawkie bid to purchase Lots 301 and 302 in Lakewood Hills Unit II for $2,000 to extend a yard; Micah Honea and Joanie Meier-Honea bid $2,000 to purchase Lots 540 and 541 in Lakewood Hills Unit III. Commissioner Doug Walbridge moved to approve each sale and Richard Malm seconded; both motions passed with all commissioners voting in favor. After completing the land-bank business the board adjourned the Land Bank meeting and re-opened as the Commission.
Assistant County Counselor Jonathan Ehrlich asked the board to authorize working with Sunday Chukwuma Eze on a recommendation letter for an EB-2 National Interest Waiver related to specialized legal tax services focused on farm income and estate planning. Commissioner Doug Walbridge moved to sign the recommendation letter and Richard Malm seconded; the motion passed unanimously.
Health Administrator Crystal VanHoutan requested a 10-minute executive session to receive attorney-client legal advice on employee matters; the board recessed at 1:20 p.m. Present during that session were VanHoutan, a staff member identified as Wanda, Jonathan Ehrlich and the commissioners. The chair announced that no binding action was taken. Later, Commissioner David Christy requested a second 10-minute executive session to discuss interagency issues beginning at 1:31 p.m.; Julie Dunkle and County Counselor Josh Ney were present for that session and the chair again reported no binding action occurred.
County Counselor Josh Ney presented Resolution 2025-036 concerning placement of regulatory traffic signs in unincorporated areas of Jefferson County and recommended passage; the commissioners approved the resolution by motion and unanimous vote. Ney also presented a County Juvenile Housing Agreement with Johnson County and the board authorized the chair to sign the agreement. Ney noted a public notice from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment regarding Kansas/federal water pollution control permits and said he will seek further information from KDHE. The board received a recommendation from Health Administrator VanHoutan and, by consensus, tabled that recommendation until the following week.
The board announced it will canvass the election on Thursday, Nov. 13 at 10:00 a.m. The meeting adjourned with the next regular session set for Monday, Nov. 17 at 1:00 p.m.
