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Atchison County to seek Nutrien cost-sharing after review of Rural Water District No. 5 water-line estimate
Summary
Commissioners reviewed a Rural Water District No. 5 estimate to deepen and bore a water line under two Mead Road driveway entrances near the Nutrien site, noted inconsistent figures in the packet ($9,497 vs. $9,004.97), agreed to place the item on next week's agenda and authorized interim road-and-bridge superintendent Emily to contact Nutrien about sharing the cost.
Atchison County commissioners on Tues., June 16 discussed whether the county should contribute roughly $9,000 toward a Rural Water District No. 5 project to run and deepen a water line beneath county driveway entrances on Mead Road that will also serve the nearby Nutrien site. The board agreed to place the drainage and utility-easement documents and the purchase-order matter on next week’s agenda and directed Emily, the interim road-and-bridge superintendent, to contact Nutrien about possible cost sharing.
The estimate shown to commissioners in the packet was listed as $9,497 for parts, labor and boring; during discussion one commissioner later referred to the figure as $9,004.97. County counsel Reyes recommended motion language that would treat any county payment as a financial contribution that, upon acceptance, would require the rural water district to assume responsibility for completing the work and for future maintenance of the line.
Commissioners and staff said the purpose of deepening the line is to avoid future damage from heavy truck traffic associated with the Nutrien site and to avoid digging twice if a second driveway is later constructed. One commissioner said using the Rural Water District relieves county liability compared with hiring a private contractor.
A commissioner asked whether Nutrien should contribute; counsel suggested the county could authorize Emily to contact Nutrien to request they consider sharing the cost. The board agreed to reconvene on the item next week with the drainage and easement paperwork prepared.
“We're not looking for perfection… we're looking for progress,” a commissioner said about the county’s approach to nuisance and infrastructure work, noting the need to balance individual-property sensitivity with public-safety and access considerations.
Next steps: the item will appear on next week’s agenda; staff will meet on-site with Rural Water District No. 5 representative Rhonda to confirm the planned route and depth, and Emily will contact Nutrien about cost sharing. The county’s legal counsel recommended motion language tying the county contribution to the district’s acceptance of responsibility for the work and maintenance.
